Shepherd's Hut - Planning Permission

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
Correct, but only 3 touring caravans, shepherds huts or Pods are allowed under permitted development rights, and that's assuming your PD Rights have not been removed and you are not in a National Park or AONB or other classified area etc.

plus even if you still have the PD Rights, the units have to be removed off the site after the 28 days otherwise they are classed as static caravans in planning terms and thus still require PP. Also more than 3 and / or in excess of 28 days still requires PP
Hello @Grouse. What's this 3 thing? I ask as we have come up with a biz plan today for 1 X hut and 2x yurt in a 7 acre field. It works aside from getting planning, which may be no problem, or not. So, if we only want 3 units, is there a similar exemption to the 28 day thing?

Thanks.
 

Blod

Member
@Pasty If it's going to be frequently occupied then you'll need a bit of hard standing or are you very dry there? Planning on change of use to hard standing is required if you have a nosey neighbour. Plus, lovely as it all seems to be camping, they actually want a flush loo, hot shower and a hot tub. It all makes a difference to the bookings. We have 4 here and the privacy and hot tubs are a huge lure.
http://www.mandinam.com/the-bluebell-wagon/
 

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
@Pasty If it's going to be frequently occupied then you'll need a bit of hard standing or are you very dry there? Planning on change of use to hard standing is required if you have a nosey neighbour. Plus, lovely as it all seems to be camping, they actually want a flush loo, hot shower and a hot tub. It all makes a difference to the bookings. We have 4 here and the privacy and hot tubs are a huge lure.
http://www.mandinam.com/the-bluebell-wagon/
Cheers. Very helpful.
 
I am looking in to shepherds huts, we have the location, space, views etc, am in the process of costing it out, planning seems to be an issue, some say gray area, some say you need it, my gut tells me I need it. What sort of planning consultant do I need for the job?
 

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
Looked into this a bit. It's not the units that need planning, it's the site, as mentioned above. If you are going to use a field as a campsite for more than 28 days per year, you need a change of use from Ag to camp site. I would imagine then you would also need planning for any fixed structures which could be got around by movable ones as mentioned. But the site still needs permission.
 

RedMerle

Member
Well its down to change of use. If you want a caravan on your field for an agricultural worker you need permission for that. You can't just have it on the field simply because it has wheels
 

RuralLaura

New Member
I recommend having a chat with a company called Social Communications if anyone is having a problem with neighbours objecting to your planning application. They have done some great stuff for rural businesses, organising everything from onsite events to social media campaigns to help you win over the local community and get them on your side and supporting your launch. A different way to attack it!
 
I've been told on good authority that Ian Pick associates is the man for any rural planning anywhere in the uk. If he can get a broiler unit planning after 5,000 objections are submitted, he can get anything within reason IMO
 
Pasty, have you made any progress with yours?

I have just stumbled upon a potential opportunity, whilst looking for premises for my main business. A former scout camp, with dilapidated huts, water, sewage and possibly electric. Beautiful location so thinking about it as a campsite instead.

How much influence does past use have with planners? I think it is still classified as agricultural land probably not used for camping since the 70's though. There is also an old caravan on the site, does this infer any rights given the length of time it has been there?
 
Location
Suffolk
I have just pressed the 'GO' button on part of our visitor site. Apart from the cooker failing within the first ten minutes of being turned on, we have received a 5* rating (out of 5*'s available) from our first visitors which is nice. More to do yet and several more years to do it in....But we've started.
SS
 
Location
Suffolk
I have looked back over this thread & seen my post re the 28 day rule. I'd ask your local planning officer to visit your site before you go & spend £'s creating anything.
From past experience running week-end rough camping, just keeping the toilets clean was a full time job!
Another thing is you may hate the input involved sorting out visitors needs. A friend who created a lovely camp-site now shies away owing to 'issues' with anti-social behaviour and has shut his plot for good. He put in some nice showers & other facilities but felt too tied. Plus compounded by idiots visiting decided farming was a better bet!
Starting small as you are may well be the best bet. Then you can focus on everything easily. Getting X3 yurts up isn't a quick job!
I sold my old hay cart last year & was happy with the resulting cash input here (bought more timber). Someone else has a fantastic project to fix up if they have the time & skills.
@Gator
SS
 
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Anyone got an favourable feedback on this thread since? Im thinking about a hut but wonder if Im a bit late in the day. Another concern is the margins and the time and hold it has on your life ie change over every 2-3 days. Weekends being stuck insitu. More thought brings me to the conclusion its not profitable enough and while farmer is out most of the week working his guts out do we need another 'hold' on us or is it just nuts to add more to our workload for a few hundred pounds profit? Our boys are at an age where they like to go camping at the weekend and small festivals. Most people say its a great idea but does it make business sense?
 

Juggler

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Anglesey
Anyone got an favourable feedback on this thread since? Im thinking about a hut but wonder if Im a bit late in the day. Another concern is the margins and the time and hold it has on your life ie change over every 2-3 days. Weekends being stuck insitu. More thought brings me to the conclusion its not profitable enough and while farmer is out most of the week working his guts out do we need another 'hold' on us or is it just nuts to add more to our workload for a few hundred pounds profit? Our boys are at an age where they like to go camping at the weekend and small festivals. Most people say its a great idea but does it make business sense?
We did glamping with bell tents until last year, we thought of going for a hut but decided not to bother for the reason you mention, too much of a hold and not enough in it to justify giving up our weekends, got rid of the tents now too, everyone is doing glamping of some description these days.
Might have another look at what's happening in this sector in a couple of years.
 

Mow

Member
Location
Cheshire
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