[Helencus]

What's the general view on whether a polytunnel requires planning permission or not. The council say you do for everything but i wasn't sure. No concrete base just dug in.

[HappyHippy]

Shhhhhhhhhh - don't tell the planners !
Mine is going up (without PP and without telling anyone official) it's not huge only 15 x 30 feet so hopefully it'll be okay. But it IS a temporary structure, and I think as long as that's the case it's okay (even if it is dug in, but not concreted)
This is from Premier Polytunnels website - hopefully it'll help.

Do I need planning permission for a polytunnel?
Normally you do not need planning permission for a domestic size/garden polytunnel. However, the permitted development regulations (the rules for what does and does not need planning permission) changed in October 2008, therefore it is always best that you contact your local planning authority if you have any doubts.

If the polytunnel meets with any of the following criteria, you should contact your local planning department to determine if planning permission is required (it will not be required in all cases):

•If the polytunnel would have any part forward of the front of the house.
•If the polytunnel would be more than 3m in height.
•If the polytunnel would be within 2m of the boundary of the site and would be more than 2.5m in height.
•If the polytunnel will result in more than 50% of the area around the house being covered by buildings or structures that were not part of the original house.
•If the site on which you intend to construct the polytunnel has a listed building or is in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads – There are further restrictions to planning within these areas.
•If the polytunnel would be for commercial use or any other use that is not "incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse."
If you want to build a large commercial polytunnel or more than one tunnel, or if you have any queries or questions, please contact your local planning department for further advice.

[Hermit]

I just asked planning. They said I was right to do so as authorities vary and the gumpf in brochures is only a guide. Mine , according to my authority is the largest I could have on 'garden land'. If it was in a field I would need planning. Also locally they take in how far away from other properties and roads.If it was in a field or larger it would be commercial(mine is 35x15).Thery were very nice and glad I asked, they sent me a nice letter wishing me luck and to prove that I had asked them in case anyone complained. I like my local planning Hermit

[juliag]

We are mendip council and when ours went up (without pp) 35' x 10' one of our neighbours from across a couple of fields and the only people who could see it (and that was from 1 upstairs window only) complained to the planners. We had a visit from a planning officer who told us it was fine and we did not need planning permission for it. It was put up on a field not a garden. He then returned to neighbours and told them there would only be cause to object if it was an in your face colour. They then objected to the colour which really annoyed the planning officer as it is clear plastic! He was really nice to us and I think he found these people a bit not in my back yardish even thoiugh we were 2 fields away. When they complained about the fact that we then put up 2 stables (without pp again) he wouldnt even come out for them. so some planning officers are actually quite nice.

[sellickbhoy]

don't ask, it just gives them something to stick their noses into - and they have feck all else to do!!

I was speaking to a councillor t'other day on something unrelated and i mentioned i might be building a polytunnel - apparently i can get a grant for it from forth valley

so i'm away to look into that

[Helencus]

Thanks all I am pretty sure my planning office will say I need pp as its a field in an AONB. after all they have said i need permission to grow veg in my field.. I just wondered what the law actually is before I buy one and find I do have to because I'm not in their good books anyway so they will do they will definately come round if they can.

[Anke]

If you have a CPH number you can apply for an Agricultural Notification. There is a few conditions, as to where it is etc, but it costs less than 100 quid and doesnt need full drawings etc etc. Also usually you submit and if they dont get back to you in four weeks you can go ahead. We did it for ours (commercial size) and no problems.

ALSO NEIGHBOURS DONT GET NOTIFIED; AND SO NO COMPLAINTS TO DEAL WITH:

[Helencus]

Thanks for that I will look into that further. When you say there may be conditions on where it can go do you know what sort of conditions?

[Anke]

I am not sure if its the same in England/wales, but here it was

1) not nearer than 100m to a classified road
2) maximum size applies, but cant remember what it is , definitely larger than any polytunnel you would ever want to have...

and you have to have a CPH number, as it comes under agricultural. We had to complete a form and then it was enough to send a copy of the brochure from the P/tunnel manufacturer. No notification goes out to neighbours, and no discussion with councillors etc either. However they did come out sometime afterwards and took pictures of it (and I wasnt there and didnt know about it until I applied for another one for our goatsheds), so they do have a record of what has been built...

[Helencus]

Thanks, I have a Cph and am not near a classified road. In theory then I should be able to have one. Cheers for the advice.