The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: birdman on April 28, 2016, 08:53:57 am

Title: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: birdman on April 28, 2016, 08:53:57 am

Hi all, seeking some advice.
Plan on purchasing an acre or so of rough farm land in east Anglia region so I can create a small small holding. Plan to live on a converted double decker bus on site most of the time am I within my rights to do so?
Basically could the council say that the bus has to go at any point?
Your thoughts,opinions,advice or information most welcome.
Thanks- Johnny -birdman

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: henchard on April 28, 2016, 09:26:14 am

Will almost certainly require planning permission

see

http://doineedpermission.co.uk/living-in-a-double-decker-bus (http://doineedpermission.co.uk/living-in-a-double-decker-bus)

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: birdman on April 28, 2016, 11:57:00 am

Ok, dose anyone know if I'd be allowed to store a double decker bus on my own? Would be very handy and practical form of temporary shelter and storage for my small holding.
The land is approx 1arce of rough farm land.

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: bazzais on April 28, 2016, 01:33:56 pm

You would not be able to legally live on the land without planning consent. 

However there is nothing to stop you doing so, but be aware that you may not be able to stay without being legal action against you.

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: doganjo on April 28, 2016, 02:27:43 pm

If purely for shelter and storage I don't think planning consent would be requested or required, especially as it is easily moved.  The planning laws are complex however, so you have two choices - ask your local planning officer what the position is or do it anyway and be prepared to be told to move it off your land.

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: mart6 on April 28, 2016, 03:46:42 pm

This may be worth a read
http://rotherham.planportal.co.uk/?id=RB2014/0411 (http://rotherham.planportal.co.uk/?id=RB2014/0411)

Was a small plot barely a acre you will get a idea what you can do.
If you really have livestock ie not horses you are allowed occasional overnight stays for welfare issuses
no doubt the council will say you are not

Best  way is ensure your shelter does not have full residential facilities ie no toilet/bath or shower
and you will be covered should council try it on.
You can have cooking facilities and heating.

I had a long running enforcement appeal that i won that involved staying on site overnight and residential facilities

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: birdman on April 28, 2016, 09:58:42 pm

Thanks for your input people.
The site is quite secluded so hopefully I won't upset to many people with my doubledecker, also the bus should be driveable so its far from a permanent structure or dwelling what ever u want to call it.
Unfortunately that link doesn't work off my phone I will have to try from a friends computer.
All the best- birdman

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: mart6 on April 28, 2016, 10:33:16 pm

Problem you may encounter with bus could be the  council will  class it as a camper van depending on facilities it has and may then require planning permission.

I have added  the attachment re councils planning decision take note re caravan

My council were real pains in the arse
Best bit of advise i can give you is get a recorder to record any visits from the council and do not believe everything you are told without seeking  advise

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: birdman on April 29, 2016, 09:11:29 am

Thanks mart,
Going to get abit crafty and imaginative on this  :thumbsup: only way this whole thing will happen!
Bus will be very basic inside and facility wise will be limited.
Might even have the top half for my pigeons. Coo coo cool

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: mart6 on April 29, 2016, 10:16:08 am

Quote from: birdman on April 29, 2016, 09:11:29 am

Thanks mart,
Going to get abit crafty and imaginative on this  :thumbsup: only way this whole thing will happen!
Bus will be very basic inside and facility wise will be limited.
Might even have the top half for my pigeons. Coo coo cool

If you need any advise PM me i had a two year battle with my local council and i did tons of  research, read hundreds of enforcement appeals and planning applications

The one thing i will emphasis is you tape your conversations with any visiting council officers and inform them you are.

In my case i was given so many untrue bits of information you would not believe it.
The enforcement officer told blatant lies and was useless
The head planner was just as clueless.
In my experience i would double check anything they tell you


 

Title: Re: living on a bus on my own land
Post by: cloddopper on May 09, 2016, 02:29:28 pm

The colour of your bus may also be used against you as it may be considered an intrusion in the countryside if it is not the right one.  Any adverts on the bus sides etc may also be an objection point .

  :idea: Just say the bus is going to be used for a bird observation hide where young & vulnerable children can go with members of the churches , education authorities  & councils to study birds .
Like as not you'll get planning PDQ no questions asked and a host of volunteers to attend & help out .  :roflanim: