Tent on land

[archeraddict]

I own 14 acres of land with a small stable block. Do I need to apply for planing permission to have a tent on the land? I realise that I could have a caravan for 28 days in a year, but can't find guidelines for using a single tent on my own land.
Thanks

[buildersmate]

Assuming this is a serious question, then no you don't.

[Stu Dent]

What kind of tent; what size of tent?

If the Circus plan to visit, then I'd expect that yes, you would need planning consent. If it's a family - or even an expedidition tent (16 man tent), I'd say no.

Wish I had even one acre, far less fourteen. ;-)

[archeraddict]

It is a very serious question! I have been refused permission for a summer house to be able to shelter in and so thought a tent would do. I do not want to keep putting it up and down though, but equally don't want to get into trouble with planners. It is in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty".
Ta.

[archeraddict]

Thanks Stu - are you sure or just based on common sense? From my experience, common sense and planning laws don't sit easily together. Sorry if I offend any one! I should have explained that it is JUST land - I don't live there which is why I need some sort of shelter when I'm spending time there. With 14 acres I thought I was allowed the summer house has a 'permitted development', but was reported and had my retrospective application turned down - the plot thickens! Hope ou get you bit of land one day Stu!

[Shadow Man]

I have a few acres with has a public right of way through the middle. If some council pen pusher told me I couldn't erect a tent I'll push his pen where the sun don't shine.

What's the worse than can happen? They tell you to take it down!!!!

[Stu Dent]

Hold on Archer, I took your problem seriously. But it might have helped if you had stated that what your real intention was to erect a summer house. Why not stick with that aim?

Get in touch with the planners and see if there is a more suitable plot ion your estate where a summer house may be erected, and negotiate on the size, type, and construction of it. Surely a suitable site can be found for a summer house within fourteen acres?

If you were genuine about the tent, why not go down the Ray Mears route and get yourself a hammock, insect net, and tarpaulin. Up and down in 20 minutes.

[Stu Dent]

Oh, how I want that one acre. My dream is to erect one of these big(ish) log cabins/houses somewhere coastal like in the Scottish Highlands/Islands.

Anyway, my original answer was basically common sense. But believe it or not, most legislative provisions are common sense based, trying to balance the rights of all.

I see nothing wrong with you erecting a summer house on the face of things. But I don't have all the circumstances and facts at hand. But it would seem unreasonable and frankly, amazing, if a suitable plot could not be found for a summer house.

[archeraddict]

It was buildersmate thinking I might have been joking Stu. Thanks to all for the answers. I have been refused permission for the summerhouse and am appealing so really wanting to know what my next options are if my appeal fails. I am a "little" bitter and think it is ludicrous not to be able to have a 14' x 10' summer house tucked behind a stable block, but the planners will not discuss why they have refused, just quoting 'character and appearance' policies for AONBs.
Thanks for the Ray Mears tip Stu- but I was thinking of something that could be left up so that I could run in and get warm and dry on the rare occasion when it is cold and raining!
Shadow man, as you say - what's the worse they can do - it just takes away some of the pleasure if I'm worrying that some 'pen pusher' will be coming to tell me off! I'm really quite shy!

[Stu Dent]

No problem Archer. Like I said, I find it bizarre that out of 14 acres, a suitable location for your summer house cannot be found. Perhaps your MP could help if the planning people won't assist you in identifying where you may erect a summer house.

If you can tell me who your local authority is I'll try and look into it. That will help identify the planning law - which is local - and the Property law jurisprudence - which is national.

Shadow man has a point though. if you build a summer house (that hopefully is easy and inexpensive to take down), the onus is on the local authority to say how your summer house breaches their regulations. Even if it needs planning consent, they need to justify why it can't be granted retrospectively.

[archeraddict]

Thanks Stu - as I said, I am appealing the decision and should be getting a visit from the planning inspectorate soon, so fingers crossed. I'm just preparing for the worst and hoped that I could legaly keep an erect tent on the land if my summerhouse has to come down, without having to deal with anymore planners -as I said, no offence intended to any one.
Send me a post card from your little place in Scotland when you get there!

[buildersmate]

I'll try and bring a little legal basis back into this thread.
A tent is regarded as a temporary structure, whatever size it is. That's how pubs, country houses and the like manage to put up marquees to run BBQs in for the whole of the summer season. A temporary structure must have a non-permanent base.
Thinking you could use Permitted Development Rights was a non-starter. These apply where you have a structure already in place and want to extend it. You had no existing structure there. And additionally AONB are subject to removal of any Permitted Development Rights under Article 4 of the John Gummer legislation that introduced it. So you'd have had to apply for PP in any event.
Summer houses are permanent structures. "getting in touch with the planners to see if there is a more suitable spot" just won't work - there will be a policy in the Local Plan of the area where you are that says it is not policy to permit development of this type. I'll guarantee it - especially in an AONB. Its not national Government policy to permit development in open countryside unless there is an overriding interest. Such decisions are not taken lightly.
I suppose with the structure there already and a lost retrospective planning application, you've nothing to lose by appealing, but don't hold your breath.
Finally the attached weblink may be of interest. It shows that it is possible to buck the system and run rings around the law - but you have to be dogged, determined and know the basis of the law that underpins the policies. HTH.
http://www.carolinebarry.org.uk/pages/showpage .php?pagename=20050125150753

[alexhobbs]

I work for a leading marque ehire compnay and am a qualified solicitor specialising in the events industry. SO if you need any help contact me.

http://www.3dmarquees.com