North Lanarkshire Residential Annexe
Location: North Lanarkshire
Approval Type: Full Planning Permission
Outcome: Approved Subject to Conditions
Planning Authority: North Lanarkshire Council
Date Approved: January 2026
Background
The application site comprises a detached dwellinghouse located within the established settlement of Newmains, positioned along Bonkle Road within a designated General Urban Area under the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2022. The property sits within a generous residential plot, with domestic garden ground extending to the front and rear.
The rear garden area includes land previously incorporated into the curtilage following earlier planning permissions for change of use from public open space to private garden ground. A condition attached to one of these earlier consents removed permitted development rights within that part of the site, meaning further development required express planning permission.
The client sought full planning permission for the siting of a park home to be used as a residential annexe ancillary to the main dwellinghouse. The annexe was intended to accommodate elderly family members, providing flexible, family-based accommodation within the existing residential curtilage.
The Proposal
The proposal comprised the siting of a single-storey park home structure positioned to the rear of the main dwellinghouse, behind the established front building line of the property and garage.
The annexe measures approximately 30 square metres, with an overall height of 2.9 metres and a flat roof design. The structure is approximately 7 metres in length and 4.9 metres in width. External finishes comprise a black-painted exterior with areas of glazing orientated away from the main dwelling to safeguard privacy.
The site is relatively level, enclosed by boundary fencing, and retains ample private garden ground following development. There is no loss of garage provision, and the driveway accommodates parking for three vehicles, ensuring no adverse impact on access or parking arrangements.
The annexe is designed strictly as ancillary accommodation and not as a standalone residential unit.
Our Approach
The application was assessed against National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2022. Given the scale and nature of the proposal, the determining policies were:
Placemaking Policy 3 (Purpose of Place)
Environmental Development Qualities (EDQ1–3)
General Urban Area policy provisions
The key considerations included:
Compatibility with the established residential character
Design, scale and material finish
Impact on neighbouring amenity (privacy, daylight and overshadowing)
Retention of adequate garden ground
Access, parking and servicing arrangements
The proposal was considered modest in scale and appropriately located within the rear garden, ensuring no unacceptable impacts on privacy, daylight or sunlight. The positioning behind the principal elevation maintained the established street character, and sufficient separation distances safeguarded neighbouring amenity.
No third-party representations were received, and no consultation objections were raised.
The Outcome
The application was approved under delegated powers by North Lanarkshire Council on 20 January 2026.
The Planning Authority concluded that the development accords with the Development Plan and complies with Policy PP3 (Purpose of Place) and EDQ1 of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2022. The proposal was considered acceptable in terms of siting, design, amenity impact, and parking provision.
Permission was granted subject to conditions, including:
Development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans
Restriction of the annexe to ancillary use only in connection with the main dwellinghouse
Prohibition on separate sale or letting of the annexe
These conditions ensure the structure remains functionally and legally tied to the principal dwelling.
Key Successes
Full Approval Granted: Planning permission secured without objection for the siting of a residential annexe within an established garden curtilage.
Policy Compliance: Demonstrated alignment with Placemaking Policy 3 and Environmental Development Qualities (EDQ1) of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2022.
Amenity Safeguarded: No adverse impacts identified in respect of privacy, daylight, parking or residential character.
Family-Focused Design: Delivered a modest, well-contained ancillary living solution supporting multi-generational living within the existing residential framework.
This project demonstrates how small-scale ancillary residential accommodation within an established urban curtilage can achieve planning approval where design, siting, amenity, and policy compliance are addressed clearly and proportionately in line with the Development Plan.
