Planning Permission for a shed

sgu00dir

I want to build a shed/small summerhouse in my garden, I live in a flat.

I know that there are no permitted developments for flats and so planning is needed.

Is this enforceable? I live on an estate with 1000s of flats, all with sheds and I bet none have planning permission. Im annoyed to have to pay nearly £200 to put up a £100 shed and have to jump through hoops of planning including producing site maps etc!

Surely this cant be right? Is this one of those things that is technically necessary but can be safely ignored?

davidmcn

If planning is necessary then by definition it is enforceable.

The fact other people have "got away with it" doesn't mean it can't be enforced - though it may be an argument that a precedent has been set and that an application shouldn't be refused.

Or it may also mean that the council don't think it worthwhile enforcing: they don't have the budgets to roam around looking for minor things to spend time on.

essjae

I had this situation with my garden a while ago.

Technically yes you do need planning permission. You may also need permission from your freeholder.

I didn't bother applying, and just went ahead and installed a wooden shed/bike store. However, I made sure that it was small enough not to take up much of the space in my garden. I have never had any bother from the council about it.

In practice, unless you build something large or obviously out of keeping with surrounding gardens, the council are unlikely to take any action.

I suggest you stick with a shed that is only as large as it needs to be for storing garden equipment etc, and certainly doesn't look like it could be converted to additional accommodation. Don't spend more money on it than you could afford to lose if enforcement action is taken! Have a quick word with your neighbours too to make sure there are no objections.

Ozzuk

Normally I'm not one to suggest people ignore planning, however for something so minor (assuming you aren't putting up a huge shed) then look at it this way, pay £200 and hopefully you'll get planning (then another £100), or pay £100 and hopefully not get noticed.

I know what I would do!

somethingcorporate

If you do get noticed all you will be asked is to take it down.

For a tiny shed it's no issue so I wouldn't bother with the planning app.