Do I Need Planning Permission For A Yurt

What is Planning Permission in the UK?

Planning permission is a form of legal approval that is needed for certain types of development. Planning permission is governed by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which defines what planning authorities must do.

For yurts planning permission is needed for any structure that is more than 8.0 metres in depth or 4.0 metres in height. Sites within 6.0 metres of a boundary also require planning permission.

The UK government issues more detailed guidance from time to time, such as The National Planning Policy Framework (2012), which replace previous guidance.

This application must be submitted to the local planning authority, who are legally required to reply within 4 weeks but are allowed to give themselves longer if they need it -up to 13 weeks.

You can get an indication of whether you might be able to get away with not having planning permission approved by contacting your local authority and asking for a ‘prior approval’ check before any work is started. This isn’t a formal application, but if they give you the go-ahead, it’s a good suggestion that you don’t need planning permission.

If you are proposing to build a yurt that is not within the terms of Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order, then you’ll need planning permission.  The DCLG guidance is: “You do not need to apply for prior approval if your proposed use is permitted by Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order.”

In summary, Class Q of the GPDO states that prior approval is not needed for a single-storey rear extension of 8 metres in depth with a maximum height of 4 metres. If you’ve built a yurt within these dimensions, therefore, you don’t need to apply for planning permission. It’s important to ensure that your yurt does not violate other GPDO Class Q conditions, for example, that it must be situated at least 6 metres from any boundary (including boundaries with roads). If your yurt is not entirely within the GPDO Class Q dimensions, then planning permission will be required.

The best thing to do if you are in doubt about whether your proposed work would require planning permission is to contact your local authority for advice.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/initial_checklist 

How do you apply for planning permission

a cool yurt

You will need to submit the following documents either in person or send it via post

1. The completed planning application form (which you can get from your local authority) last 2 pages only

2. A site location plan with dimensions of the building, a clear photo of the proposed area and/or satellite imagery viewed on google maps

3. A completed heritage impact assessment form if it is a Scheduled Monument or in a Conservation Area

4. If the yurt is going to be used for commercial purposes, you will need a certificate of lawful use and development from your local authority

5. Electricity supply application required in some local authorities in the UK6. If you are going to have a sanitation tank, the application will be required from your local authority

7. Copies of Utility bills or Council Tax bills with current address in the UK only

8. Letter of access for water and electrical supply on site

9. Home contents insurance policy statement showing buildings cover in the UK only

10. If you are going to have a sanitation tank, the application will be required from your local authority

11. Neighbour consultation form only if you are in close proximity to neighbouring properties

12. Access statement showing how access is proposed for multiple caravans/structures on site

13. Latest 6 months bank account statement with current address in the UK only

14. Planning permission fees are around 2,000 to 3,000 pounds for processing your application and further 1,000 to 2,500 pounds if they need to call a hearing or committee meeting about your yurt depending on which authority you are dealing with15. Once the local authority has received this information, they will check it and let you know within 8 weeks whether they have approved or rejected your application. If they have sent a request for further information, this time frame starts from the date you provide them with all the required information16. Once planning permission is approved by your local authority, there is a 10 year window period to start building work

The best thing to do if you are in doubt about whether your proposed work would require planning permission is to contact your local authority for advice.

References:

http://www.acorncommunity.org/blog/post/do-i-need-planning-permittion-to-build-a-yurt/.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/initial_checklist 

http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/jam71240.pdf

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