Huts on Site

[Sheneval]

Our present rule on above is that you have to apply for planning permission before you can erect a hut or greenhouse on the site - this is a very expensive procedure - other sites in adjacent county get free huts supplied by council - any information on how other councils operate would be appreciated.

[Fleurisa]

We just need permission passed by vote to erect a greenhouse or shed. Only one of each and only up to a certain size. The cost of acquiring the shed or greenhouse is up to you. If you get an allotment with an existing shed or greenhouse you may get them for free

[Hazel at the Hill]

I'm surprised that a shed/hut/greenhouse needs planning permission per se, however I would expect to have to obtain permission from the allotment committee/council.

On our site (self managed), we have rules about size, and position of structures, and we have to make sure we ask first. It's set out in our tenancy agreement, I think - I'll fish a copy out later, if you think it would be useful to you?

[Sheneval]

Hazel,

That would be perfect

[Bill HH]

To have to apply for planning permission is quite ridiculous for the average shed or greenhouse. They are temporary structures after all. I would be complaining to my council and councilors with unbounded gusto. If this sort of thing is left unchallenged we will need permision to grow bally sunflowers next.

[Sheneval]

Bill,

My feeling exactly which is why I am trying to get an idea of what happens elsewhere throughout the country - the last time I got feedback from the Forum was just after I got my own plot and I asked about views on a planned common compost heap - the responses enabled me to raise the matter at the AGM and stop it happening. Great Forum this for supplying common sense views on individual issues such as this.

[Olorin2001]

Here is a link to our councils allotment pages, we have a ask for permission and there is a limit on shed size, but not on greenhouse or polytunnel size. Never know anyone to be refused permission and it has been known for very tall people to be allowed to go oversize on the height.

Allotments - Southampton City Council

[Sheneval]

Here is a link to our councils allotment pages, we have a ask for permission and there is a limit on shed size, but not on greenhouse or polytunnel size. Never know anyone to be refused permission and it has been known for very tall people to be allowed to go oversize on the height.

Allotments - Southampton City Council

Olorin - Brilliant - great website - I'll go right through it and pick out items we don't cover

[WendyC]

No sheds at all on our site, tool chests lower than 4'6" are allowed. We decided to add allowing polytunnel / greenhouses last year, but have limited size and position. I should add our plots are small at 2.5rods or 60m2 and close together. Adding either structure could seriously shade neighbouring plots.

[Bill HH]

No sheds at all on our site, tool chests lower than 4'6" are allowed. We decided to add allowing polytunnel / greenhouses last year, but have limited size and position. I should add our plots are small at 2.5rods or 60m2 and close together. Adding either structure could seriously shade neighbouring plots.

A plot is not a plot without a shed in my opinion, I dont know how you manage.
I am rules averse I guess I dont think I would last long on an allotment, I even got thrown out of cubs for fighting the system.

[Sheneval]

No sheds at all on our site, tool chests lower than 4'6" are allowed. We decided to add allowing polytunnel / greenhouses last year, but have limited size and position. I should add our plots are small at 2.5rods or 60m2 and close together. Adding either structure could seriously shade neighbouring plots.

Wendy - I can understand the thinking behind that and whilst we have a large number of 70sqm plots the original plans were for a large number of 150sqm plots - in any case we would probably have to have the sheds round the rim of the plots where shade would not be a problem and it sounds as if the plotholders have made the decision on this matter themselves rather than having it imposed on them?

[Sheneval]

A plot is not a plot without a shed in my opinion, I dont know how you manage.
I am rules averse I guess I dont think I would last long on an allotment, I even got thrown out of cubs for fighting the system.

Bill,
When you see sites with sheds on them such as Sean's Allotment you realise what you are missing - I have no problems with rules - I worked in an industry where they were of the utmost importance - I am however averse to unfair rules and the jobsworths who impose them.

[WendyC]

When the original site was set up the rule was no tools to be left on site. I think it was to do with fears about vandalism. In reality everyone left tools hidden under compost sacks etc. Our secretary managed to get the Parish Council to amend to allow tool sheds, but the 4'6" ruling was to make sure they were not somewhere for undesirables to hid! (only very small ones!!) The polytunnel/ greenhouse ruling was added at the AGM last year as a plotholder had set the precedent by putting up a blowaway type polytunnel, which very quickly lived lived up to it's name, and we felt it was better to set some ground rules from the outset.
At times I would like to have a shed, mainly when there is a sudden downpour, but in reality I'm not sure I would be willing to give up the growing room, to accommodate one. I do have a lovely potting shed and greenhouse at home!

[Alison]

I'd hate not to be allowed a shed either, we don't have any restrictions on size etc but do have to ask permission off the council before erecting any structure. I did and they seemed a bit confused about why I was asking. I think that everybody has a shed and quite a few of us have greenhouses, tunnels or walk in coops and although there are no restrictions on location, everybody has been adult and put them somewhere sensible. Planning permission would never normally be necessary for sheds although I do know in some areas there are local rules about this sort of thing, particularly if you are in a specific residential zone where they want permission for the colour of your front door etc .

[Sheneval]

Alison - Thanks for that. The type of restriction you describe normally applies to houses in Conservation areas although garden sheds are normally excluded as they are not permanent structures.