Planning Guidance

Planning Matters

Like it or not, we are seeing more and more buildings called in for planning permission.  Recent experience has been that local councils are not really interested in the building itself but rather more in the fee that can be generated from the application! In these days of financial restrictions for councils, this fee is useful income.

Saltire Stables have a general data sheet available regarding planning matters but it is important to be aware that there are many instances where planning is probably not needed and our advice could save you quite a tidy sum. We are not planning experts, but we can give you help and guidance based on years of experience in designing and erecting buildings in a wide range of locations.  

For instance did you know that the simplest Field Shelters usually don’t need planning permission - because they are classed as temporary structures as they have no concrete floor or footings?  The most commonly used method of avoiding the need for planning and building warrant is to exercise your permitted development rights. There are a couple of rules but in simple terms you can erect a building within your own grounds of up to 30m2 without any permissions being required. This equates to a stable block or shelter 30’ wide ie 2 looseboxes and a tackroom or an 18 x 18’ double garage

However in general terms, any building which is in a location for 6 months or more needs to be considered as requiring planning permission. For this reason, we are finding a lot of customers going for one of our towable range of shelters - being movable no permission is needed!

There are local differences such as National Parks or Conservation Areas where just about everything needs permission and also in other locations. For example in the Republic of Ireland all timber structures do not need planning permission!  In all cases, a call to your local council office will keep you straight.  

Where planning is required, we would be delighted to follow up our final agreed layout with specific detailed elevation drawings.  There is a nominal charge for these which is refunded in full on the final invoice once a building has been completed.