Building a workshop on a plot of land.

Jameshow · 3 Jun 2021

Hi

I have access to a plot of land sub leased on peppercorn rent from a builder who leases from the local housing association. It already has three shipping containers on it.

I want to build a summerhouse styled workshop 6x4.8m for the use of the local men's shed I run in the neighborhood.

If it's a timber building without substantial foundations would I have issues with planning?

Cheers James

Woody2Shoes · 3 Jun 2021

Jameshow said:
Hi

I have access to a plot of land sub leased on peppercorn rent from a builder who leases from the local housing association. It already has three shipping containers on it.

I want to build a summerhouse styled workshop 6x4.8m for the use of the local men's shed I run in the neighborhood.

If it's a timber building without substantial foundations would I have issues with planning?

Cheers James

It depends! The simplest thing would be to ask the planning department of the local planning authority - they should be able to tell you what the current established use of the land is (in planning terms) and what constraints there might be re your idea.

AJB Temple · 3 Jun 2021

Planning may be the least of your problems. Housing associations land bank ground for a reason and usually prohibit sub-letting. I would say eviction is quite a big risk! Get proper professional advice - asking random people you don't know on a forum is probably not the best approach here.

Jameshow · 3 Jun 2021

Hi

The build would be very temp, the housing association won't give the chap a rental agreement, but he's been there 8yrs! They cannot build on it as it's on a river bank that floods.

I'm thinking 4.8 x 3m to keep within permitted building allowances I will ask a freindly planner I know.

Cheers James

Woody2Shoes · 4 Jun 2021

Jameshow said:
Hi

The build would be very temp, the housing association won't give the chap a rental agreement, but he's been there 8yrs! They cannot build on it as it's on a river bank that floods.

I'm thinking 4.8 x 3m to keep within permitted building allowances I will ask a freindly planner I know.

Cheers James

Another idea might simply be to convert a 20ft shipping container - portable if needs be, and can be made slightly more secure than a wooden shed - or buy one converted (which ought to have a decent re-sale value if necessary) - e.g. SHIPPING CONTAINERS 20ft ModiBox Office | £6245.00 | Offices, Classrooms & Canteens | Quality Used | Containers Direct

Woody2Shoes · 4 Jun 2021

Jameshow said:
Hi

The build would be very temp, the housing association won't give the chap a rental agreement, but he's been there 8yrs! They cannot build on it as it's on a river bank that floods.

I'm thinking 4.8 x 3m to keep within permitted building allowances I will ask a freindly planner I know.

Cheers James

Depending on the use class of the land, or perhaps for other reasons (e.g. an 'Article 4 direction'), there may be little or no permitted development rights anyway.