Rules for like for like replacements

ellectrastar

If I’ve been granted a lawful development certificate for a static caravan I’m right in thinking I can replace that caravan with a more up to date one. But what if I want to build a log cabin instead? It would be the same footprint but I want to make half a second floor so will need a pitched roof, and would also like a veranda as well. Would this be covered by the LDC, or would it mean I need to apply for full planning permission?

jonnydeppiwish!

Ask the planning department, they know best

Doozergirl

ellectrastar said:

If I’ve been granted a lawful development certificate for a static caravan I’m right in thinking I can replace that caravan with a more up to date one. But what if I want to build a log cabin instead? It would be the same footprint but I want to make half a second floor so will need a pitched roof, and would also like a veranda as well. Would this be covered by the LDC, or would it mean I need to apply for full planning permission?

The certificate would be for whatever you applied for, not something different.  

You don't *need* a certificate for something that falls under permitted development. Have you read the guidance to establish if your newly proposed building does?  

https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/miniguides/outbuildings/Outbuildings.pdf

ProDave

Whilst I doubt you happen to be in Highland Council region, this guidance note they issue would still be of interest to you.

https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/1346/bst_018_caravans_and_mobile_homes

You have a certificate of lawful development that allows you to keep a "caravan" on your land and live in it.  The exact meaning of what is a caravan is defined in the caravan act.  That guidance note I have linked to is Highland Councils interpretation of what that means.  I post it as I have not yet found any similar guidance note from any other council.

It is clear that a "caravan" does not have to be on wheels, but it must be able to be moved in 1 or 2 parts, and that includes lifting it with a crane onto a low loader. So many forms of cabin will comply as long as they have the structural integrity to be lifted without falling apart.  And there is no reason why such a "caravan" cannot be well built and well insulated.  I remember Grand Designs featured one some time back.

Sadly for your wish list though, a "caravan" can only be single storey.

ellectrastar

And I’m guessing then if I wanted to rent this log cabin out as self catering accommodation that might be a problem too? As the caravan was for purposes ancillary to the main residence?

Section62

ProDave said:

Sadly for your wish list though, a "caravan" can only be single storey.

I think the OP's wish for a second storey will be the problem - under PD it would result in very limited ceiling heights.

Also, it will all depend on where the caravan is sited - the rules for something in the back garden of a house will be different to a caravan sited on a smallholding etc.

The only realistic way of finding out for sure is to ask the local planning authority.

ProDave

ellectrastar said:

And I’m guessing then if I wanted to rent this log cabin out as self catering accommodation that might be a problem too? As the caravan was for purposes ancillary to the main residence?

Yes, your only hope on that front would be doing it under the radar, and once you have got away with it for a certain number of years, get another lawful development certificate.

Or apply for planning to let it out which would likely be refused and if so you would be very much on their radar if you then tried to let it anyway.

Section62

ProDave said:

ellectrastar said:

And I’m guessing then if I wanted to rent this log cabin out as self catering accommodation that might be a problem too? As the caravan was for purposes ancillary to the main residence?

Yes, your only hope on that front would be doing it under the radar, and once you have got away with it for a certain number of years, get another lawful development certificate.

Or apply for planning to let it out which would likely be refused and if so you would be very much on their radar if you then tried to let it anyway.

There's a good chance the OP is lit up on the radar already.... getting a LDC for a static caravan is a well known route to upgrading to something more permanent/intensive in areas where the more permanent/intensive form of development would not normally be permitted.

Depending on the circumstances the LPA may keep a proactive eye on the development to make sure it wasn't a ruse for something else.  It is also fairly tricky to keep under the radar if you are advertising accommodation for short-term let... and many authorities now proactively check sites like Airbnb.

There's also an issue of making sure the structure is safe and suitable for letting as SC accommodation - compliance with BR and other regulations such as fire, electrical, and gas safety.  It is difficult to reconcile the construction of a two-storey log cabin and letting it out all under the radar, with compliance with the requirements for habitable accommodation and safety.

The OP seems to want to run a business... it needs to be run in a businesslike manner or there could be serious 'legal' consequences.

lincroft1710

ProDave said:

Sadly for your wish list though, a "caravan" can only be single storey.

The Berkeley Statesman and Peak Diplomat (both built in the early 1950s) were both 2 storey British caravans. The sole remaining Statesman was up for sale in 2017/18 and I believe was the subject of a TV restoration programme a year or so later

ProDave

lincroft1710 said:

ProDave said:

Sadly for your wish list though, a "caravan" can only be single storey.

The Berkeley Statesman and Peak Diplomat (both built in the early 1950s) were both 2 storey British caravans. The sole remaining Statesman was up for sale in 2017/18 and I believe was the subject of a TV restoration programme a year or so later

Interesting, thank you.

The legal definition of a "caravan" gives an internal ceiling height limit of 10ft or about 3 metres so I guess a mezanine floor in a 10ft high room would therefore be okay, but you would not get full standing headroom on the mezanine and underneath it.  But caravan designers are sometimes creative with the use of space.

sheramber

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/outbuildings/planning-permission