If you buy a shepherd’s hut, are there any rules about where you can, and cannot, put it?
In this post we will outline the regulations, along with some best practices guidelines, for where you might put your shepherd’s hut.
Do I Need Planning Permission For a Shepherd’s Hut?
If you buy a shepherd’s hut and you intend to put it on your own land, there may be some scenarios when you do not need planning permission:
- If the hut is just for garden use – If only you and your family will be using the hut, whether as storage space, as extra living space, or as a garden office, then you may not need planning permission.
- If the hut is a temporary structure – If the hut is not fixed on the land – if it has wheels, for instance, or no permanent foundations – then it may be considered a temporary structure. Temporary structures typically do not require planning permission.
When Do You Need Planning Permission For a Shepherd’s Hut?
There are some occasions when you may need to get planning permission:
- If the hut is a full-time dwelling – If the hut is to be used as a permanent or a main residence, then planning permission may be necessary.
- If you will be letting the hut – Planning permission may also be necessary if you intend to allow members of the public to use your hut as a holiday let.
- Boundaries and protected land – If you live in a conservation area, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, then you may need to get planning permission for any changes you make to your property. Similarly, you may need permission if you buy a larger hut, or if you intend to place it near your property’s boundaries.
In any case, whether or not you need planning permission may ultimately depend on the local authority’s specific rules.
Read our full guide to planning permission and shepherd’s huts.
Is It Legal to Put a Shepherd’s Hut on My Own Property?
If you want to put your shepherd’s hut on your own land, first make sure it is legal for you to do so. To do this, you need to consider:
Land Ownership
You must legally own the land you intend to place the hut. If you share the land, or if you are leasing it, you will first need permission from any other landowners. And as we said above, you may need to get permission if you wish to place the hut near your property boundaries. You may also need to consider access rights, particularly if you are placing the hut on agricultural land, or near somebody else’s property.
Shepherd’s Hut Size
Generally speaking, your shepherd’s hut must not exceed 2.5 metres in height if you are placing it within two metres of a boundary. Also, the hut should not fill more than 50% of the available land outside of your house. If the size of your hut means you do not meet these requirements, then you may need to get permission before you can install the hut.
Utility Connection
If your shepherd’s hut will have gas, electricity, and running water, then you will need to ensure that everything complies with all relevant safety standards.
Shepherd’s Hut Usage
Once again, if you intend to let the hut to holidaymakers, then you may need to register the hut for business use with your local council. As part of this, you may have to ensure your hut complies with all relevant business and tax regulations for your area.
Can You Put a Shepherd’s Hut on Agricultural Land?
You can put your shepherd’s hut on agricultural land. But depending on how you intend to use the hut, you may need to get permission first.
If you will be using the hut for agricultural purposes – to store equipment, for example, or as accommodation for agricultural workers – then you may not need any permission.
Yet if you intend to use the hut for any other purposes, even if it is just as a place for you and your family to hang out, then you may need to get change of land use approval. If you want to let your home to holidaymakers, for example, you will probably have to register the land for commercial use.
Finally, as we mentioned above, if the agricultural land is part of a protected area, there may be strict regulations in place for what you can and cannot do with the land.
Contact your local authority for more information about putting shepherd’s huts on agricultural land.
Getting The Right Insurance For Your Shepherd’s Hut
The way you use your shepherd’s hut – and where you put it – can affect the sort of cover you will need for your property.
If your shepherd’s hut is in your back garden, and it is for garden use only, then it is possible that your existing home insurance policy will extend to covering your shepherd’s hut. Check your policy wording to be sure, though.
But if you will be using your shepherd’s hut for agricultural or business purposes – such as to rent it out to holidaymakers – then you will need specialist shepherd’s hut insurance to cover the added risks you will face.
James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who specialise in getting you the cover you need at a competitive price.
We will ensure you get full cover for your shepherd’s hut, wherever you build it, and however you use it.
Learn more about our specialist shepherd’s hut insurance and get a free quote today.