Poly tunnel

[Devil's advocate]

Clive's wife is considering growing a crop.

Would insect netting rather than clear plastic be suitable as the cladding for over the hoops? The rain would pass through & wind damage would be much less of a problem & no planning issues.

www.wondermesh.co.uk

 

[renewablejohn]

Clive's wife is considering growing a crop.

Would insect netting rather than clear plastic be suitable as the cladding for over the hoops? The rain would pass through & wind damage would be much less of a problem & no planning issues.

www.wondermesh.co.uk

Dont believe the wind damage it can be far worse as it acts like a large sail.

 

[Renaultman]

Of absolutely no help to Clive at all, but passed a really tidy bank of them on the side of the M6 near Forton services J33? Lancaster way. Not sure whether they were poultry or industrial, a lot of pipes and looked very permanent.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Dont believe the wind damage it can be far worse as it acts like a large sail.

Surely not if laid tight onto hoops in a poly tunnel type struture.

Agreed it does move if laid on a field of veg.

Still think it gives an advantage to the crop without the work of solid plastic ie watering & shading.

 

[neilo]

Choose your neighbours carefully - mega scale fruit farmers Hall Hunter at Godalming had the bad luck, it is said, to have some top London barristers as neighbours who unfortunately did not appreciate hectares and hectares of tunnels for strawberries and raspberries. Despite the tunnels being temporary covered only for summer the courts found against them in part, so they have tunnels on some parts of the farm, away from roads, dwellings and farm boundaries but other parts are down to fruit that does not need covers - blueberries and blackberries.

Apparently a polytunnel of no more than 465m2 on a holding of over 5 ha is within permitted development. Bigger tunnels are not necessarily a problem unless they are in a pristine landscape, close to neighbours or roads and so big as to constitute an eyesore. Tuesey farm in Godalming is in the prettiest part of the Surrey hills overlooked by few dwellings, several of which unfortunately were mansions occupied by said barristers. Other tunnels in Kent were in a cluttered landscape with roads, warehouses, factories and electric pylons and were allowed on appeal.

I’m certainly not a NIMBY, far from it, but I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t welcome the whole of my surrounding area being covered with polytunnels in one go either.
In landscape terms, they really are hideous things, especially when planted on a large scale.

 

[Devil's advocate]

I’m certainly not a NIMBY, far from it, but I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t welcome the whole of my surrounding area being covered with polytunnels in one go either.
In landscape terms, they really are hideous things, especially when planted on a large scale.

I see your point & agree. There may well be a huge backlash against tunnels with the enviromental issues of plastic. A worry to me is my neighbours reaction to insect netting on crops & so far I've had no problems.

But as a wholesale/retail supplier of fruit & veg. The qualty & supply of soft fruit & some vegetables has been transformed by Spanish tunnels.

 

[neilo]

I see your point & agree. There may well be a huge backlash against tunnels with the enviromental issues of plastic. A worry to me is my neighbours reaction to insect netting on crops & so far I've had no problems.

But as a wholesale/retail supplier of fruit & veg. The qualty & supply of soft fruit & some vegetables has been transformed by Spanish tunnels.

When I ever drive down near Ross on Wye in the summer, and see the vast areas covered in plastic tunnels, wall to wall, i’m Always very glad I don’t have to see it every day.

 

[phillipe]

When I ever drive down near Ross on Wye in the summer, and see the vast areas covered in plastic tunnels, wall to wall, i’m Always very glad I don’t have to see it every day.

I see it ,but what do you do ,gotto to grow the stuff somewhere

 

[Fuzzy]

I will do but from past experience their default answer to anything is no ! So I find it helps to call from a position of some knowledge over what they can actualy say no to or not !

Do I Need Planning Permission to Erect a Polytunnel?

A question we regularly get asked here at Northern Polytunnels is “Do I need planning permission to erect a polytunnel?”. With this in mind, we figured it would make sense to put together a short guide, to inform all our customers of the latest planning regulations when it comes to polytunnels.

Your garden offers the greatest potential to provide you with additional leisure space and a well placed polytunnel can also add some value to your home.

Whether you want a polytunnel to grow exotic and beautiful flowers, or you’re looking to embrace the ‘grow your own’ culture and start cultivating home grown fruit and veg – a polytunnel can offer a lot of opportunities.

But what about that all important planning permission? Do you need it?

The good news is that generally the majority of domestic polytunnels are what’s known as ‘permitted developments’ – meaning that you don’t need to fret about obtaining planning permission. However, there are some exceptions so it always makes good sense to CHECK beforehand.

Planning Guidelines for Polytunnels
Polytunnels generally do not require planning permission so long as they meet the following criteria:

• The polytunnel should not be taller than 3 metres.
• You should only use the polytunnel for domestic use
• The polytunnel should not be nearer to the road than it is to the nearest part of your house
• The site you wish to place your polytunnel should not have a listed building, or be an area of Natural Outstanding Beauty.
• The polytunnel should take up less than 50% of the garden surrounding the house. In Scotland this figure is 30%.

The above list should give you a good idea of where to place your polytunnel to avoid having to seek planning permission. However, it’s always a good idea to phone your local planning office if you’re at all unsure.

Please note, these regulations don’t cover commercial polytunnels, or polytunnels that will be used for commercial purposes. If you’re planning on installing a commercial polytunnel it’s important that you look into how planning regulations may affect your proposals.

If you require any additional information on the rules and regulations surrounding planning permission for your polytunnel then please don’t hesitate to call a member of our team on 01282 873120. We’ll be happy to help point you in the right direction!

 

[ollandroverman]

Of absolutely no help to Clive at all, but passed a really tidy bank of them on the side of the M6 near Forton services J33? Lancaster way. Not sure whether they were poultry or industrial, a lot of pipes and looked very permanent.

I visited the location you talk of far too many years ago when I was a Young Farmer.
It is ( or at least it was then) a highly impressive mushroom farm.

 

[renewablejohn]

Surely not if laid tight onto hoops in a poly tunnel type struture.

Agreed it does move if laid on a field of veg.

Still think it gives an advantage to the crop without the work of solid plastic ie watering & shading.

I lost a 25 mtr windbreak polytunnel used for potted christmas trees. The whole tunnel was lifted up and rotated through 90 degrees. Conventional covered tunnels either side where not affected. It sounds stupid but it seemed to blow up like a balloon. Could see it was going to go but just to dangerous to do anything about it.

 

[RushesToo]

@Clive try @GeorgieB82
"Can I put up a poly tunnel without need for any planning permission etc ?

What do they cost and where do you buy them ? are they easy to erect etc ?"

 

[Pasty]

Also interested in this as I've got a kit laying out in the field waiting to go up from First Tunnels. I may put it in as part of a PN notice for a barn(s) as you can put in multiple buildings as long as they fall under the 465m2.

Another question. I've got a couple of those steel walk in poultry pens you see on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Wa...hash=item1a418d3ab1:m:mx9_QNSo9Epk3YScKemlwtQ


I want to use them for chick rearing as the dust in the barn is getting ridiculous. Could I use some sort of green polytunnel fabric to cover the roof? Would it last and where could I get it? I could use roof sheets but I'll be putting up about 20 and will need to move them so the lighter the better.

 

[Clive]

spoke with local planning officer, they say it needs a ag determination submitted with fee but would comply with that and not need full planning application / permission.

So the are basically treating it like I'm putting up another farm shed under 465sq m

I'm not sure they are right though and maybe just after the fee ! I have been messaged by a few farmers on here saying do nit fog the PD route

 

[Pasty]

It will depend on your planning department. Some will say it is not temporary. Some will say it's not Ag. Depends how far they want to push it and how far you want to fight them. At the end of the day it's not illegal to put anything up. Once you get an enforcement notice, that is a different matter but also keep in mind that most councils are seriously stretched with cash and staff so if you stand firm and are prepared to go to appeal, they will often back down. They like to talk tough but in reality, they haven't got the ammo to back it up these days. There was a period back a long in South Hams where I believe there were no staff at all in the planning department. Missed that one!

 

[Clive]

just had a long argument over 2 new LED flood security lights on my house that replaced some old broken sodium lights

listed buildings, environmental health and planners all on my back like we had build a skyscraper without permission !!

this is how petty they can be, but as you say they soon backed down

 

[Pasty]

Just tell them to take you to court. Most authorities cannot afford it and there would be serious questions asked about the cost of legals over a few lights which could run into many tens of grands, especially if they failed. This is our money after all. Best thing to do is invest a little time reading up on the actual legislation because they really don't like that being quoted back at them.

 

[texelburger]

There are thousands of acres covered in polytunnels in our county and ,im pretty sure,the council require full planning applications.Not only that but many surveys are needed such as water run off,wildlife,does it affect neighbours quality of life etc,etc.Im sure,IIRC,my neighbour said the surveys and application cost him in excess of £100,000.To gain planning ,comply with the survey,erect the polytunnel,install table top fruit and irrigation etc must cost an absolute fortune,i would imagine.Must be profitable,though,as they wouldn't bother with all the hassle.

 

[scholland]

Different weather challenges up here but these are popular locally and are much stronger than a poly tunnel and look smarter imo
http://www.nortenergy.co.uk/our-polycrub/
https://m.facebook.com/polycrub/?locale2=en_GB

 

[phillipe]

I have a northen tunnel ,properly strong,2 "tube