Bike shed in the front garden.

JuzaMum

I had someone round today to get a quote for a concrete base for a shed. I want to put a shed 7'x7' in my front garden for bike storage. The back garden is small and also higher than the front of the house so up several steps making it inconvenient.
The chap seemed to think this was a very bad idea as it would get broken into.I have had a small bike shed in the front garden for years but this is smaller 1m x 2m and behind the bins.
I had thought I would lock the bikes inside the shed as well as locking the shed.
What do others think?

Aylesbury_Duck

Make sure you're allowed to have a shed in the front garden first. Some estates won't permit that sort of thing. You have had one for years but all it would take is a neighbour reporting you and your money on the new shed would be wasted.

If you are allowed to erect a shed, I'd recommend getting a strong anchor point added to the concrete floor so that you can lock the bike to it. Get a decent shackle lock and a cable lock to run through the wheels and it's about as protected as it's going to get. A cheap alarm on the shed door would be a useful addition.

ST1991

I guess having any kind of storage in your front garden is never the ideal scenario, but we have a shed/outbuilding at the front of ours. It stores various things that haven't gone up in the loft yet, and our bikes.

I think as long as you keep it secure there shouldn't really be an issue. It may form part of your contents insurance (if you have it?) and if so there might be specific lock or security features required by the insurer.

Davesnave

Have a look at the Planning Portal's piece on permitted development and outbuildings before going too much further:
https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/outbuildings/4

JuzaMum

thanks for the replies. Looks like it's a no with the planning . I doubt anyone would report it but it would be such a pain if we had to move it.

Davesnave

As with all things planning, it depends on the individual situation as to whether a shed would be allowed.

The Planning Portal just gives guidance regarding permitted development; it doesn't say what might be allowed if planning permission is applied for.

However, planning permission costs money, so it's best to weigh the situation up first. If it's a standard row of terraced houses or semis on an average street, where the shed would impact the street scene, the answer would likely be 'No.'

If it's like my neighbour, with a detached, one-off property behind a high rural hedge, the answer might be 'Yes.'

But my neighbour didn't get planning; she just put up the shed because the only likely complainant would have been someone living in my house. After 4 years, if no one's complained, the owner can't be forced to relocate the outbuilding, so hers is now safe.

datostar

Might be worth just speaking to your local Planning Dept. Ours certainly doesn't charge for that. I mention this because a sheltered housing block of flats near us in a Conservation Area (where things are more difficult) did get planning permission for 3 metal low shed like contraptions at the front for the storage of large mobility scooters when it was ruled that residents could no longer park them inside in the corridors or communal areas. There was a bit of humming and hawing because the initial proposal was decided as being too obtrusive and a different area had to be used. Put up a good case and maybe offer some kind of screening, perhaps climbing plants, nice flowering shrubs or something and you may find them sympathetic. Bicycles are 'green' and reduce motor traffic etc. etc. Lay it on thick!

JuzaMum

My local planning are not easy to talk to and charge for pre planning advice. It's not as if I couldn't put the bike shed elsewhere. I just would like to leave more garden for the kids to play in. The planned location would be very prominent as it would be on the corner of a corner plot (does that make sense). Also garden level is about 1m above pavement level.