We are about to start on our first 14' hut, which is the limit to which we will go (we certainly don't build them wider, as the proportions would be all wrong on a shepherd's hut) but a bit longer will work OK.  It allows our customer to add a shower in the corner, plus a woodburner and small kitchen area. 

We are often asked about the base on which the hut should stand.  We have arrived on site a few times to find some pretty bad attempts at a level base, sometimes even that were made by a local 'professional' in such things.  It's a shame when we roll a hut onto a new concrete slab base and the slabs crack in half.  At the very least the hut needs to stand on fairly level ground.  It it's soft ground, or will get soft in winter, there needs to be something to spread the load under each wheel, such as treated timber planks, railway sleepers, flagstones etc.  Huts look good standing on grass, but if you want a more formal area around the hut then a border of railway sleepers, dug in level, with a base of landscape fabric filled with scalpings or gravel looks good.  We have sited huts on properly prepared flagstone bases, and in the right setting this looks very smart, as does a brick base.  

We are often asked about shepherd's huts and planning permission.  It's not as simple as 'if it's on wheels you can put one anywhere'  On that basis someone could put small wheels on a 40' shipping container or similar and get away with it, and that wouldn't be right!  The basic position seems to be that a shepherd's hut can be sited in the curtilage of a house without planning permission, so long as it's use is incidental to the enjoyment of the house.  Many shepherd's huts are in use across the country for a range of uses on that basis.  Some houses are governed by listed building status or national parks etc. and in this case it may be wise to approach someone for a professional opinion.  We have had customers who own fields away from their homes and have easily gained planning permission if it is needed or they have been given a Certificate of lawful use by the local council which gives an official opinion that it is OK; useful if neighbours need reassurance.

In some cases, where planning permission would never be granted for more usual development due to landslip or flooding, a shepherd's hut (being easily moved and well above ground level) offers a really good solution to the problem that sits well in most situations.