Annoying planning dept.

[BarleySugar]

Over 4 weeks ago I phoned the council to check if I would need permission to put up a small polytunnel (3m by 2m) on my plot. I was going to buy a cheap one to see if the cover would stand up to the near gale force winds. I spoke to the duty planning officer, who went away to consult someone else, then told me it would be OK, especially as I was thinking of taking it down or moving it about to rotate crops.
I then discussed it with the rest of the committee as we have some very complaining neighbours, and it was decided that if the council would email me to confirm what they had said verbally, there could be no come back.
I emailed the planning department, and waited for a reply, waited some more, and then phoned. The person answering the phone apologised for the fact they hadn't replied and forwarded on a copy of my email to the relevant person. Again I waited. Today, finally, I've been told I need to apply for Land developement permission, it will cost £70 and take 6 to 8 weeks for a decision. For that I could apply for a glass greenhouse!
I think I'll just put up some cloches

[veggiechicken]

That's ridiculous BS. Have you seen these:-
South West Counties Allotments Association - Polytunnels on Allotments
Update on planning permission

[BarleySugar]

I'll email them again I think, sending in some of that information. We have jumped through so many hoops at this new site, just because 2 house backing onto the allotments complain about everything, even us cutting back the brambles that were encroaching through the fence. We offered to take the prunings away, but the householder objected, and then complained when we returned a large pile of prickly stems to him . I've already talked about us needing to get permission for our sheds (this was a group application, and we persuaded the parish council to give us a grant), and then some person had to apply seperately for her greenhouse. She thought she'd be covered, as it was the same size and instead of a shed, but they insisted not.
For a plastic blowaway, which it might well do! If I had the money I'd go for a greenhouse. Whatever I do, it will be too late for this year now anyway

[veggiechicken]

Good luck BS. There are some very petty people out there, unfortunately.

[Thelma Sanders]

We don't have to get PP for polys, g/hs or sheds on our allotment site, here in Ashford.
we just have to let the clerk know that we're going to put one up. Simples!

[BarleySugar]

We've had problems from the start. Sadly it isn't the parish council, its the borough council, and it seems they pander to the 2 complainants, forgetting the 51 residents who are plotholders. We manage ourselves, but I knew I'd need to check with the council, because if I'd done it without consulting them, when the inevitable complaint was made there would be trouble. It seemed a straightforward request to confirm the telephone call in an email. To be honest, I can't see why they bother with a telephone service if yo can't rely on their advice. All future contact will be email or letter, at least I can keep track then.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Over 4 weeks ago I phoned the council to check if I would need permission to put up a small polytunnel (3m by 2m) on my plot. I was going to buy a cheap one to see if the cover would stand up to the near gale force winds. I spoke to the duty planning officer, who went away to consult someone else, then told me it would be OK, especially as I was thinking of taking it down or moving it about to rotate crops.
I then discussed it with the rest of the committee as we have some very complaining neighbours, and it was decided that if the council would email me to confirm what they had said verbally, there could be no come back.
I emailed the planning department, and waited for a reply, waited some more, and then phoned. The person answering the phone apologised for the fact they hadn't replied and forwarded on a copy of my email to the relevant person. Again I waited. Today, finally, I've been told I need to apply for Land developement permission, it will cost £70 and take 6 to 8 weeks for a decision. For that I could apply for a glass greenhouse!
I think I'll just put up some cloches

Planning Department has fed you a load of balls. scuse the expression. You are not erecting a building. Check the definition in the Oxford English Dickshunnery. I'm sure it goes something like an erection with walls and a roof. A polytunnel has neither. At best it's a non permanent structure but in thruth, it's just a big plastic cloche. Tell them where to go.

[puutarha]

A load of spherical objects!

Planning Department has fed you a load of balls. scuse the expression. You are not erecting a building. Check the definition in the Oxford English Dickshunnery. I'm sure it goes something like an erection with walls and a roof. A polytunnel has neither. At best it's a non permanent structure but in thruth, it's just a big plastic cloche. Tell them where to go.

I doubt if this robust but inflammatory approach would get you what is required. Bureaucracies know how to deal with rudeness.
I have just asked similar questions of my local planning department and I had the same kind of unhelpful replies.
Like any rational person I am frightened by the Kafkaesque obfuscation from these council departments.
It would be an idea to start a national campaign to demand clear and reasonable guidelines so that ordinary, domestic gardeners can buy and use polytunnels without fear of entrapment.

[Samurailord]

Planning Department has fed you a load of balls. scuse the expression. You are not erecting a building. Check the definition in the Oxford English Dickshunnery. I'm sure it goes something like an erection with walls and a roof. A polytunnel has neither. At best it's a non permanent structure but in thruth, it's just a big plastic cloche. Tell them where to go.

I agree with AP.

What you are erecting is not a permanent structure like a shed or greenhouse neither is it oversized and so planning permission is not required.

If you were banging scaffolding poles into the ground and building something that was 3m x 10m, then that would be different.

Andy

[SarzWix]

First Tunnels have info about planning permission on their website I believe. Written in common-or-garden English, unlike post #8

[Martin H]

I thought "Kafkaesque obfuscation" was a pretty neat phrase to be honest, I think I'll try and use it at work tomorrow.

But I suspect OP's problem has been and gone by now.

[Bigmallly]

I wouldn't worry too much BS, you'll be sunning it in Abu Dhabi shortly..................

[Glutton4...]

Don't you love people who resurrect an old thread, just to use their big words!

[veggiechicken]

Don't you love people who resurrect an old thread, just to use their big words!

Yes I do, I do it all the time - I like big words as you can see

[mrgrower]

Can I use Disconbobulating Triaxium Diode then?