Polytunnel Planning Permission

sienewman

Member
Horticulture
I've had some conflicting advice about putting a polytunnel on my land and hope to get some more advice here.

I own just short of an acre of land that's technically classed as agricultural (I have chickens/veg garden/pigs) and I'd like to put up a polytunnel. I'm thinking something around 12x30ft. Do I need to apply for planning permission?

It's probably worth noting that one of my neighbours will report it to the council no matter what so I need to get this right. He reported a neighbour 10 doors away from his house for building a shed.
 
Definitely need planning permission. If the 1ac was classed as residential then you would benefit from Permitted Development under Schedule 2 Part 1 Class E of the GPDO. But as it's agricultural land it falls under Schedule 2 Part 6 Class A or B. As it is under 5ha then it falls under Part B but that does not allow the construction of new buildings so you would need planning permission.
 

sienewman

Member
Horticulture
Definitely need planning permission. If the 1ac was classed as residential then you would benefit from Permitted Development under Schedule 2 Part 1 Class E of the GPDO. But as it's agricultural land it falls under Schedule 2 Part 6 Class A or B. As it is under 5ha then it falls under Part B but that does not allow the construction of new buildings so you would need planning permission.
That's a shame. What are the chances of the council passing a change of use for .7 of an acre from agricultural to garden? Maybe that might be the best bet to kill a few birds with one stone? There seems to be a few advantages to that which would work for me, including being able to site a caravan as ancillary accommodation to my attached property.
 
That's a shame. What are the chances of the council passing a change of use for .7 of an acre from agricultural to garden? Maybe that might be the best bet to kill a few birds with one stone? There seems to be a few advantages to that which would work for me, including being able to site a caravan as ancillary accommodation to my attached property.
There is a good chance they would approve it for change of use to residential amenity land but not residential curtilage. This won't help you as amenity land does not have Permitted Development rights.
My advice is to apply for planning permission to extend your garden and errect a polytunnel.
 

orchard

Member
Sorry for being a duffer in advance.

We'd like a polytunnel, 20x60ft. The intended site isn't curtilage. It's connected to what's previously been used for organic horticultural purposes, and has been advanced glastir until recently. We currently don't trade, but intend to in the future.

Do we need planning please?
 
Sorry for being a duffer in advance.

We'd like a polytunnel, 20x60ft. The intended site isn't curtilage. It's connected to what's previously been used for organic horticultural purposes, and has been advanced glastir until recently. We currently don't trade, but intend to in the future.

Do we need planning please?
Yes it may be Permitted Development but even so you will need to submit a Prior Approval application at the bare minimum.
 

renewablejohn

Member
Location
lancs
Sorry for being a duffer in advance.

We'd like a polytunnel, 20x60ft. The intended site isn't curtilage. It's connected to what's previously been used for organic horticultural purposes, and has been advanced glastir until recently. We currently don't trade, but intend to in the future.

Do we need planning please?
JFDI 20 x 60 is a postage stamp for an existing horticulture enterprise. Used to put up a 8mtr x 40mtr every year for 4 years and nobody blinked an eye. Does depend a bit on where in the country you are but how you can do horticulture without a polytunnel I cannot understand.
 

orchard

Member
JFDI 20 x 60 is a postage stamp for an existing horticulture enterprise. Used to put up a 8mtr x 40mtr every year for 4 years and nobody blinked an eye. Does depend a bit on where in the country you are but how you can do horticulture without a polytunnel I cannot understand.
Thanks. Yes, the land is part of what's been horticulture for yonks, but hasn't been planted, although the previous owners had tarped part of the area out in preparation for expansion. The 1/² acre horti's distinctly fenced from our neighbouring meadow, so no change of use pp required.

Experienced market gardening friends who have erected quite a few big ones in their time, at various locations, just say do it, it's a temporary structure...providing it's not National Park or SSI
 

renewablejohn

Member
Location
lancs
Thanks. Yes, the land is part of what's been horticulture for yonks, but hasn't been planted, although the previous owners had tarped part of the area out in preparation for expansion. The 1/² acre horti's distinctly fenced from our neighbouring meadow, so no change of use pp required.

Experienced market gardening friends who have erected quite a few big ones in their time, at various locations, just say do it, it's a temporary structure...providing it's not National Park or SSI
The important bit is temporary structure. So only temporary anchors and definetly no connection to mains water or electric.
 

Kidds

Member
Horticulture
We have put up acres of tunnels over the years, Spanish tunnel blocks of 2-3 acres or more and various Northern Polytunnel types too.
Have never asked permission and have never been asked.
In planning terms as George says you should do but in reality you will get away with it unless you have spiteful neighbours, even then you have a good argument.
You should see how many acres Busbys put up without permission and then just applies retrospectfully when everybody complains. :D
 
Of course its short term your growing short term annual crops. Would be different if long term crops like raspberries but then you have different rules for "Spanish" tunnels protecting soft fruit with plastic on for 6 months and removed for 6 months.
I have no idea what a Spanish tunnel is but if the structure remains and is not removed then it will require planning.
I have a polytunnel and it hasn't moved in 20 years therefore needs planning. The one my neighbour uses for lambing gets removed every April so does not.
 

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