Vehicle home conversions and PP.

Mgman1965

Read a heartwarming story on Internet about a couple who bought an old double decker bus, parked it on some land her father owned (farmer I think), gutted it and converted to a very nice home.

It has stunning views over open countryside and is connected to a mains electricity and water supply (but not sewerage).

There was no mention in the extensive story about any sort of permissions being needed to site or tap into mains services.

It was made to sound as simple as  buy or rent a bit of land or fence off bit of relatives garden, buy old Bus / Lorry / Campervan, park on said bit of land and move in.

Live cheaply ever after.


Is it really as easy as that (surely not) and why aren't thousands doing it ?

Martin_the_Unjust

I vaguely recall watching some tv program about posh sheds or something which relied on the fact that it had wheels so was a moveable structure so didn’t need planning permission etc.

But it was a while ago and I may be misremembering.

RAS

If this is in the UK, I'd be waiting for the planning enforcement action.  Of course, they could be moving it every 28 days to comply with planning regs. although sorting the water and power each might be a bit of a bind.

Farmers do have the right to allow up to 5 caravans but they must be temporary.

user1977

Using a field (or whatever) as permanent habitation is going to need planning permission, no matter what sort of structure you're living in. And obviously you're not free to just tap into mains services without consent!

Brie

I had just posted on another thread that my niece had a van parked on city street (not UK) for 2 years that she rented out via AirBnB.  Bed, a bit of storage, tiddly kitchen and next to a park with a public loo so no actual plumbing required.  Not sure how the electricity was sorted.  But possibly via the engine battery as it was a drivable vehicle.

Mgman1965

Yes, it's in the UK.

Story said father gave them permission to park on "land that he owned"

I took it as they connected to an existing supply to a house or barn.

lincroft1710

Mgman1965 said:

Read a heartwarming story on Internet about a couple who bought an old double decker bus, parked it on some land her father owned (farmer I think), gutted it and converted to a very nice home.

It has stunning views over open countryside and is connected to a mains electricity and water supply (but not sewerage).

There was no mention in the extensive story about any sort of permissions being needed to site or tap into mains services.

It was made to sound as simple as  buy or rent a bit of land or fence off bit of relatives garden, buy old Bus / Lorry / Campervan, park on said bit of land and move in.

Live cheaply ever after.


Is it really as easy as that (surely not) and why aren't thousands doing it ?

First find your land or willing relative.


Second, although there is a growing Tiny Homes movement, not everyone wants to live in a small space.


Third, planning permission would most likely be needed as it is a change of use of the land. Not all planning authorities would be co-operative.


Great idea in theory but the practicalities could be a problem.

ProDave

This DOES need planning permission for change of use of the land from agricultural to residential.

Now, if they get away with it, without the council noticing or being informed for a certain number of years, then they can apply for a certificate of lawful development and obtain a legal right to carry on living there legally.

Not many get away with it long enough for that.

FreeBear

ProDave said:

This DOES need planning permission for change of use of the land from agricultural to residential.

Now, if they get away with it, without the council noticing or being informed for a certain number of years, then they can apply for a certificate of lawful development and obtain a legal right to carry on living there legally.

Not many get away with it long enough for that.

And don't try to do what Robert Fidler did at Honeycrock Farm - Built a monstrosity behind a pile of hay bales and hid it for four years. Ten years after revealing the structure to the world, and spending a fortune on legal bills, it was finally demolished.

bouicca21

A friend thinks this would be legal in the Irish Republic.  

Mgman1965

bouicca21 said:

A friend thinks this would be legal in the Irish Republic.  

We have relatives in the Irish Republic  and have spent time there.

Outside the towns and cities there the countryside is very sparsely populated,  so legal or not, if not visible from a main road there's a very good chance you would go unnoticed for years.