The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: pheonix on December 29, 2018, 07:37:39 pm

Title: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: pheonix on December 29, 2018, 07:37:39 pm
Hello everyone Ive been reading threads on this forum for a while and have just became a member as I would like some advice.
Myself & partner have recently purchased just over 1 acre of amenity/agricultural land in the east midlands and I have a couple of questions that I hope other members could help me with.
The land has several small wooden sheds dotted around the perimeter, a touring caravan basically in the middle and a tin shed next to the entrance approx 9 meters long by 8 meters wide. None of the sheds have footings or are on any hardstanding and everything is in a state of serious disrepair. The previous owner told me all the sheds have been there over 30 years and the caravan has been there at least 15 years. As far as i'm aware nothing on the land has any sort of permission however I know they have been there to long to have anything enforced on them.
So my question is can I take down the existing sheds and replace with like for like or is there the possibility that when I take them down I won't be able to put up a new one? Or will be told I need planning. Same goes for the caravan, if I remove it and put another in its place could I be told I can't have it.
Ideally I would move everything to one side of the field rather than have it dotted around, especially the caravan right in the middle.
I understand that I can carry out repairs to existing structures but to be honest they are to far gone. Although if it comes to it I could use the existing cladding on a new frame.
A couple of friends who have seen the land think that I should just arrange a meeting with planning officials and ask if I can take it all down and build something new.
Although I want to be upfront and as honest as possible with the powers that be. As none of the sheds have any planning Im not convinced that drawing attention to the state of everything would be the best course of action and that maybe I would be better off repairing whats there instead of getting them involved.
Any opinions or advice welcomed.  Thanks :)
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: Black Sheep on January 06, 2019, 08:08:06 am
If you can provide indisputable proof they have been there for the requisite time then perhaps a quick bit of advice from a planning consultant to check things out and then submit an application for a certificate of lawful development? Fairly cheap, easy to do yourself and would give you peace of mind. It also opens the door for the discussions you mention safe in the knowledge that no enforcement action can follow.

Moving the caravan shouldn't be a big thing - they are mobile after all - but definitely take care before making changes to anything else.
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: honeyend on January 06, 2019, 03:14:49 pm
You can go on google maps and look back over history and there should be views of the sheds up to 2011, I think. Also talk to the neighbours, look at FB posts and see if there are pictures, posts, about the land.
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: pheonix on February 11, 2019, 05:31:11 am
Thank you for your advice.
I had not considered applying for a certificate of lawful development and think this is the way to go. I have checked on google maps and spoke to a couple of neighbors & no one can remember a time when the sheds were not there so thats good. I have also been given a caravan that is in a much better state than the one currently on the land so I am going to site that on the edge of the field and remove the old one to see if that stirs anything up. If all is well in spring I will start work on the sheds.
Regards
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: Perris on February 11, 2019, 08:11:26 am
planning authorities will not normally take neighbours' oral testimony as proof, as I have witnessed re footpaths. However, they do respect Google maps/satellite photos from sufficiently far back.
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: Zyg on February 11, 2019, 10:13:34 am
Also, take your own photos of what is currently there.
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: landroverroy on February 12, 2019, 11:37:41 am
Thank you for your advice.
I had not considered applying for a certificate of lawful development and think this is the way to go. I have checked on google maps and spoke to a couple of neighbors & no one can remember a time when the sheds were not there so thats good. I have also been given a caravan that is in a much better state than the one currently on the land so I am going to site that on the edge of the field and remove the old one to see if that stirs anything up. If all is well in spring I will start work on the sheds.
Regards


Be aware that once you have removed anything for which there was any sort of permission, be it planning, permitted or lawful development, then that  permission no longer exists. You would be advised to have a word with an experienced planning consultant (an hour's advice doesn't cost a fortune) before doing anything irrevocable.
Title: Re: Newbie looking for advice
Post by: pheonix on February 22, 2019, 11:17:18 pm
Thank you all for your comments, They are much appreciated.
I have taken lots of photos of how it is at the moment & I will be speaking to a consultant before doing anything with the sheds. I think it will be money well spent.
Regards Dan