This is our most common question asked by customers. The simple answer is the Shepherd's Hut itself doesn't need planning permission, it's what you are doing with it that may do. As the Shepherd’s Hut structure is on wheels and portable, the answer is often no. However, if your hut has plumbing connected to the drain or septic tank, where it could be seen as being less portable, or if you're planning to rent the Shepherd Hut to paying customers and changing the use of the land that the huts stand upon, you may need planning permission.
If the enjoyment of the hut is part of the main dwelling then you don’t need planning permission.
If you're planning to rent your Shepherd Hut to paying customers then we'd recommend exploring the three options below.
- Planning - by applying to your local council advising what you intend to do by the way of land change usage. This usually takes 4-6 months.
- Planning Exemption - by applying to one of the camping / glamping websites that offer exemption, for example www.woodlandchampions.co.uk. This company will apply for planning exemption for you for up to 5 huts. However, please note there is a cost for this service of £300 plus £300 per year for 4 years. After 4 years, no planning is required.
- No Planning - currently you can rent your Shepherd's Hut to customers for 56 days a year without planning permission. Any more than 56 days, you'll need to apply for Planning or Planning Exemption.
It's worth noting, we are not planning consultants and advise clients to get in touch with planning advisors early on in the process. You can always find more information from your local district council website.
Each case really is individual. Some huts do require permission and some don’t. If you have a hut for domestic use and it’s in the curtilage of a domestic garden to the main building, you’re less likely to require planning permission. If the use is different, it’s outside the curtilage of the garden, or if you’re in an area like a National Park, conservation area, or if your house is a listed building, it might be different again.
If you’re wondering whether a shepherd hut would be a good fit for you, your plans and more, call us and we will do our best to help, including giving you details of the planning advisors we recommend to our clients. It goes without saying that we’ll do all we can do to help you.