Shepherd huts

Do you need planning permission for a shepherd hut?

Whether for private use or holiday letting, shepherd huts are incredibly popular. But the big question is: do they need planning permission?

The answer is that it is not straightforward and depends on a number of factors such as the size of the hut; where you plan to station it; what it will be used for; how it is constructed; and whether it will remain mobile.

The most common projects are:

• A single hut in your garden

• One or more huts for holiday accommodation

If a shepherd hut complies with the legal definition of a caravan as set out in the Caravan Sites Act, you may be able to station one in your garden provided its use is ancillary or incidental to the main dwelling. In order to comply with the legal definition of a caravan, the unit must be:

• Habitable

• Have been assembled from no more than 2 parts

• Remain mobile

• Be no larger than 20m x 6.8m x 3.05m (internal ceiling height)

Provided your hut meets these criteria, you should be able to put one in your garden. Not all councils always agree or are clear on the legislation, though, so we would always recommend applying for a Lawful Development Certificate in order to protect your investment.

If you plan to station your hut on agricultural land or plan more than one unit, you will almost certainly need to apply for planning permission. For example, you may want to set up a glamping business.

If you want to station one or more shepherd huts on agricultural land, this requires an application for a change of use of the land. In this case it is necessary to consider what planning policies might be applicable and other material considerations such as landscape and highways impact, etc.

Whatever your plans - whether you need to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate or planning permission - we can help.