Planning permission is one of the biggest “what ifs” people worry about when they start thinking about a garden golf simulator outbuilding. It’s understandable — nobody wants to invest time and money into a dream setup only to find out it’s not allowed, or that it needs to be redesigned halfway through.
The good news is that many garden outbuildings can be built under permitted development in the UK, as long as they stay within certain limits. The less-good news is that golf simulator rooms can sometimes push those limits, mainly because they often need extra height for comfortable swings, plus a higher-spec build that feels more like a garden room than a basic shed.
If you’re based in Exeter or elsewhere in Devon, here’s a clear, practical guide to what to think about before you commit to a design.
Why golf simulator outbuildings are different
Most standard garden outbuildings are built for storage, a home office, or a basic summerhouse. A golf simulator space usually needs a bit more:
- Extra ceiling height to swing a driver comfortably
- A bigger footprint to allow a proper hitting area and screen/net clearance
- Insulation and heating so it’s useable year-round
- More electrics for lighting, projector/TV, computers, speakers, and climate control
- A finish that looks and feels like a proper room, not a timber shed
None of those are a problem on their own — but combined, they can influence whether your build comfortably fits within permitted development limits or whether it’s worth getting formal advice.
What is “permitted development” in plain English?
Permitted development (often shortened to PD) is a set of rules that allows homeowners to carry out certain types of building work without needing to apply for full planning permission, provided the project meets specific criteria.
For outbuildings, the key idea is that if you keep the structure within the permitted development limits and it remains incidental to the enjoyment of the house (think garden room, gym, hobby space), you can often build without a planning application.
A golf simulator room typically falls into that “incidental use” category — it’s a leisure space linked to the home — but the details of the building still matter.
The common things that trigger planning issues
Even when you’re aiming for permitted development, there are a few areas that most commonly cause problems for golf simulator buildings:
1) Height (especially for driver swings)
This is the big one. Simulator rooms often need higher internal ceilings than a typical garden room. But internal height and external height aren’t the same — once you add roof construction, insulation, and ceiling finishes, you lose internal headroom.
That’s why we approach it carefully: you want a design that gives you the swing clearance you need without accidentally pushing the external height beyond what’s acceptable.
2) Position in the garden
Where the outbuilding sits can matter. A structure tucked neatly at the end of the garden is different (from a planning perspective) to something very close to boundaries or highly visible from the street or neighbours. If you’re tight on space, this becomes more important because you may be tempted to go taller or place it in a more prominent spot.
3) Size and “mass” of the building
A larger footprint isn’t automatically a planning issue, but a bigger, taller, more “dominant” structure can draw more attention — and in some scenarios it may step outside the permitted development rules. Golf simulator rooms can lean bigger because people want seating areas, storage, or a man cave setup.
4) Sensitive locations and restrictions
In Devon, you’ve got areas where restrictions can be more common — for example:
- Conservation areas
- Listed buildings
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- Newer developments with planning conditions that remove permitted development rights
If any of those apply, it doesn’t mean “no” — it just means you want to check early so you don’t waste time designing something you can’t build as planned.
5) “It’s basically a second home” territory
Most golf simulator rooms are fine as hobby spaces. Where the line can blur is if the outbuilding starts looking like self-contained living accommodation (bathroom, kitchen, permanent sleeping arrangements, etc.). That’s a very different planning conversation. Most customers don’t want that anyway — but it’s worth knowing that the more it resembles a separate dwelling, the more likely planning permission becomes.
A smart way to approach it (without overcomplicating it)
If you’re not sure where you stand, the best approach is:
- Decide your simulator needs first (especially ceiling height and layout)
- Design the building around those needs in a way that aims to stay PD-friendly
- If anything looks borderline — height, footprint, location, restrictions — sense-check early before you commit
This prevents the most common headache: building a design that “works” for golf but has to be compromised later because of height or placement issues.
The goal: avoid expensive compromises later
A golf simulator outbuilding is only worth doing if it’s genuinely useable. If your ceiling is too low and you can’t swing freely, the room becomes a novelty — not a space you use weekly.
That’s why getting the planning side right early matters. The goal is simple: build a structure that meets your simulator requirements while staying as straightforward as possible from a permissions point of view.
At Exeter Building Solutions, we can talk you through the practical side — what tends to be acceptable, what commonly triggers planning questions, and how to design a build that works for your garden.
If you’re unsure about planning for your outbuilding in Exeter/Devon, give us a shout — we’ll help you sense-check it before you spend money on the wrong design.