Can I put a static van in my garden?

scrummy_mummy_2

Apologies if there is already something on this subject...I did do a search and can't find anything though.

Can I put a static van in my garden and link the gas and electric up to the house so we can use it for guests?

We don't intend to rent it out or anything.....anyone any ideas/thought/observations?

Please feel free to move the post if I have it in the wrong place....I'm usually surfing the property boards!

Ebe_Scrooge

The only advice I can offer is - give your local council a call. I've known 3 of my friends do exactly this. 2 of them needed planning permission, one of them didn't ( different local authorities ).

From what I can gather having spoken to people, it's more common to need planning permission than not, but it seems to be down to your local council's particular rules. At least if you give them a call you'll know, and you won't be worrying that they'll come knocking and insist you remove it :-)

27col

I put a static van in my garden to live in while I was building the house. It required Planning Permission and this had a time limitation on it, to prevent it being there permanently.

ormus

very unlikely.
better to use a normal touring caravan. ie with wheels. they cant do much about that.
as for electric, just use a temporary extension cable. suitably protected.
and for the gas, use the normal caravan bottled supply.

Inactive

ormus wrote: »

very unlikely.
better to use a normal touring caravan. ie with wheels.
.

I had a little giggle at that, it implies that static vans don't have wheels.:D

ormus

aye but them wheels are just for site/ing useage. you cant tow a static van on the road.

missile

You will not be popular with your neighbours

rosekitten

there are large tourers 25ft+ in length
as they all have a EHU.Bottled gas for
heating.Just running water to think
about then.

Inactive

ormus wrote: »

aye but them wheels are just for site/ing useage. you cant tow a static van on the road.

You can, but not legally and not very far.. :D

Antispam

Oh like on shameless you mean

planning_officer

To start at the beginning, you need planning permission for anything that it 'development' - that includes operational development (i.e. building works) and material changes of use of land. A mobile vehicle is not classed as a building therefore is not operational development, although if it to be stationed permanently and connected to utilies, like you say, they may be a case to say it has taken on a degree of permanence and is a building in planning terms (although it's probably unlikely).

In addition, there is no change of use of the land, provided you only use it as ancillary accommodation to the main dwelling - i.e. for sitting out in or as a bedroom. As soon as it becomes a self contained unit of accommodation or is used independently from the main dwelling, then the use of the site changes, and planning permission would be required.

So, it's unlikely you will require planning permission, but make sure it is purely for ancillary accommodation, connected to the occupation of the main house.

However, some estates/developments/houses have restrictive covenants on them, restricting the stationing of caravans or mobile homes in the curtilages (especially at the front where they are an eyesore) - although that is an entirely separate matter to planning permission, so do check your deeds for any such covenants too.

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

From what I can gather having spoken to people, it's more common to need planning permission than not, but it seems to be down to your local council's particular rules.

Just to clarify this point above as well - whether something is development or not, is subject to national planning legislation, not local policies (i.e. the Town and Country Planning Act 1990). If something IS development though and requires planning permission, then it does depend on the policies of your local Council as to whether permission would be granted.