There is so much choice when it comes to deciding on a garden room to suit your needs. Here at Plankbridge our team are here to help you choose from a wide range of designs to solve your need for extra space. You will be keen to choose the all important proportions so that the structure sits well in the landscape whilst providing all the space that you need. Access and groundworks need thinking about too, and we are here to help every step of the way.
Do shepherd’s huts need planning permission?
The simple answer is the shepherd’s hut itself doesn’t need planning permission, it’s what you are doing with it that may do. As the shepherd’s hut structure is on wheels and is portable the answer is often no. But any change of use of the land that the huts stand upon may need planning permission.
Planning permission guidelines can be found online. Local plan policy is a good starting point if you do need planning permission, as if your project falls within the local plan that is a positive thing. In the curtilage of the house, and if the enjoyment of the hut is incidental to the enjoyment of the main dwelling, then you don’t need planning permission. So, if the hut is near the house, and you go out to the hut to paint, play the guitar, have friends to stay then that is all incidental to the enjoyment of the main dwelling.
What access does my garden need in order to deliver a shepherd’s hut?
Our skilled haulier is very capable and has years of experience delivering shepherd’s huts and cabins to many different locations. You will need to consider the width of your chosen hut design and measure this against the width of your driveway and gate posts. Some hut owners’ site their shepherd’s hut on their front drive or front garden. This is the easiest option and if the fence posts are too narrow then taking these out for delivery is an option.
If you are looking to site your shepherd’s hut or cabin behind your house or to the side, and you do not have a back gate, we also offer the option of craning the hut over the fence, wall or even the house itself. It is all possible and we have done pretty much every scenario you can imagine!
Do shepherd’s huts need foundations?
Your shepherd’s hut or cabin needs to sit level, on a concrete pad or railway sleepers, to suit whatever soil type you have in your garden. We provide a groundworks plan, and there are a number of ways to create the support beneath the four wheels. You will want to keep your hut level and stable throughout the year, so the base needs to be resilient to dry and wet ground conditions.
What utilities do I need for my shepherd’s hut garden room?
This depends on what you will be using your shepherd’s hut or cabin for and which Plankbridge design you choose. You may be looking for a simple home office, art studio or garden room, in which case you only need a basic electricity supply. This can be arranged by a local electrician who can take an armoured cable supply from your home or outbuilding and clip it along a fence or wall, or buried to the correct depth in the ground. You could opt for solar panels, in which case we can discuss your options with you – 12 volt lighting and a couple of USB sockets is a basic system, anything more and we would advise working with a local solar installer to spec a kit to suit your aspect and the average daily light levels over the year.
If you’re looking at a Guest House or other accommodation model that has a sink, WC and shower, you will need to look at the drainage options available to you. If your shepherd’s hut will be close to your home and your main drains or treatment plant, your hut can be hooked up straight into the same system. If it’s further away you can opt for a small storage tank underneath the hut (emptied once or twice a year) or a clever composting toilet. Water is usually via a 25mm blue alcathene pipe, a more off-grid set up might need a basic caravan water tank beneath the hut.
We can help solve your need for extra space and design a garden room that will stand the test of time. Allow yourself to indulge in a little humble abode, a garden retreat with a calming atmosphere to put your feet up and emerge refreshed and rejuvenated. A garden retreat can double up as a home office with a desk and storage, allowing your shepherd’s hut to be multifunctional. Anything is possible and we relish a design challenge too.
Dreaming about a shepherd’s hut or cabin in your garden? Get in touch to find out more enquiries@plankbridge.com or 01300 348414
