The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: mijbil on February 22, 2017, 12:44:13 pm

Title: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: mijbil on February 22, 2017, 12:44:13 pm
Hi,

I am looking to put a small (8x6) garden shed in my 1 acre field, for the storage of sheep food, hay, medical treatments etc for the maintenance of my small flock of sheep. 

My field falls within a conservation area, therefore I am wondering if I need planning or not. Frustratingly, due to 'cuts', the local council have removed their 'check if you need permission' quick enquiry service, instead all enquiries have to go through the formal planning process.

So, even to find out if I need permission or not, I will have to pay £195 (more than the cost of the shed) to initiate the process.

Has anyone else had experience of putting a garden shed on agricultural land to use as a store?

I did put up a shelter (6ft x 6ft) 5 years ago to keep the sheep dry, and no-one has complained, though a shed might be more obvious.

Thanks in advance....
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: westcoastcroft on February 22, 2017, 03:18:34 pm
I think it will depend on two things
1- how strictly are they applying the normal rules around prior noticiation and permitted development - i.e. normall you need a bigger holding to qualify for PD, is the land chassed as an agricultural holding?
2- what the rules of the designation are, which one it is. I don't know where you are but up in NW Scotland there are plently of different designations SSI, SSSI scenic interest, historic interest etc etc which can affect planning - best thing is not to be in one.

What is the £195 for, a full planning application or a permitted development (prior notification)? I would think the costs to submit a prior notification of your intended works would be less than £195 (it was previously free in the highlands but thanks to the cuts now costs about £70). Maybe it would be cheaper to read up on PD (developments for purpose of agriculture, more than 25m from road etc) and beyond the land size requirment make sure you comply and stick one of those in....
If you don't need planning you will probably need to submit a prior notification.
Suppose it could go wrong,  they say no you need planning which will now be another £195 on top of the prior notification fee (if any).

Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: juliem on February 22, 2017, 06:33:13 pm
Planning application fees may be going up in April. The White Paper on Housing issued a couple of weeks ago recommended local authorities to increase fees in order to pay for more planning staff.
The White Paper also said that villages must be allowed to thrive !!! That is in complete contradiction to my local authority which restricts infill to only a few villages
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: bazzais on February 22, 2017, 07:19:14 pm
Build the shed - see what happens.

Build two shed - fook it.
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: bazzais on February 22, 2017, 07:20:13 pm
Whats the worse that can happen - you have to take it down or drag it to other side of the field?


The worst thing you could do is flag it up in planning.  Let it ride mate - go for it.
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: bazzais on February 22, 2017, 07:23:35 pm
If it does get flagged dont mention feed or animal storage - its for keeping strimmers and equipment safe and out the weather,
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: BrimwoodFarm on February 22, 2017, 08:01:00 pm
If it does get flagged dont mention feed or animal storage - its for keeping strimmers and equipment safe and out the weather,

That's interesting. So you're not allowed to safeguard food stuffs but you can equipment?
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: bazzais on February 22, 2017, 08:18:08 pm
I wouldnt even go near planning for putting up an 8x6 shed to store stuff in a field.

If I was too it wouldnt mention the actual use of the shed.  Storage of equipment is the easiest if it were to be.

Mention animals or food its a whole different game on such a smallholding, cos it on the books sounds like a folly and not a business.

Every good smallholder needs an implement shed these days - for security.
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: bazzais on February 22, 2017, 08:19:50 pm
The planning and law is a dancing act that most of us cant learn to dance - you just need to learn the sidesteps.
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: landroverroy on February 22, 2017, 09:34:41 pm
I totally agree with Bazzais,
It's not an offence to put a shed up without planning. So pointless applying for planning when you can apply for it later if anything is said, and if you think it's worth it.

The planners normally only hear about new developments if someone complains and I can't see anyone complaining about or even noticing a 6' x8' shed.
Title: Re: Planning required for a small shed in conservation area?
Post by: juliem on February 23, 2017, 11:36:55 am
As long as it looks tidy...I would just go for it.It's untidy old caravans that horsey people abandon in fields round by us..to brew up a cup of tea that tends to attract complaints.