How to Get Planning Permission for Temporary Buildings?

06 May How to Get Planning Permission for Temporary Buildings?

We already know that every structure you build needs prior permission from the respective authorities, the LPA (Local Planning Authority) in this case. Once you submit the application, it can take anything between 8 to 12 weeks to be processed. This rather puts people in a tough spot when they have to build something urgently.

In case of emergencies, you can go ahead and start building and apply for retrospective planning permission. Of course, you need to have a valid reason to establish the need for the building and why it cannot be delayed. Genuine cases have no issues in getting the application approved.

What if it’s a temporary building? Sometimes, we need to build modular buildings for a specific purpose. The requirements are time-bound, and the building can be removed after it serves the purpose. Such temporary buildings do not need planning permission. But there are certain criteria for this.

• The temporary building should not be used for more than 28 days

And 

• The building should have a floor space of less than 100 sq meters

If the temporary structure doesn’t adhere to both the points, you need to apply for planning permission.

What if you are building an extension to the existing house/ commercial space? You will need planning permission if-

• The temporary structure exceeds more than 25% of the total area available on your site
• The building will be more than 25% of the size of the existing warehouse/ office/ factory
• The temporary structure gets closer to the site’s boundary by more than 5 meters
• Reduces the space available for parking and turning of vehicles

How to get permission for temporary buildings

·        Modular Buildings

Most temporary buildings are modular homes. During the last few years, the demand for modular homes has increased, even for permanent construction. A modular home is a prefabricated structure and is usually built in factories. Permanent modular homes are built using high-quality materials and are not meant to be moved/ relocated after being set up in the designated site.

Temporary modular buildings are naturally dismantled or relocated after they are no longer necessary. You still need to adhere to the modular building codes if you want to get permission for the temporary building. The authorities have the right to deny permission to your structure and may ask you to remove it from the site.

You can still appeal your case, but it’s more of a headache, and you will have to obey the final verdict. Not following the orders may result in prosecution. The whole thing will result in a waste of your time and money.

·        Getting Planning Permission

An easy way to get planning permission would be to contact the LPA in advance. The moment you realise that you need a new temporary structure, ask for an appointment with the planning officer. Some officers charge for it, so be prepared. Talk to the person and ask for the best way to approach the situation. Pre-application advice can save you time, money, and effort.

The following details will be necessary and have to be listed prior to submitting the application.

• How does your temporary modular building affect the surroundings and people living there?
• Does your structure align with the overall development strategy of the region?
• How does it affect the traffic conditions? The Highway Authorities might enter the picture if the need arose.
• Are there the necessary infrastructure facilities to support the structure? For example, if you are building a temporary modular house at a far-off construction site, how will you provide water and electricity for the people (the workers) staying in that house? Is there a proper road that leads to the site?
• How will the temporary building look? What will be its height, size, dimensions, and layout? How will it appear from the outside?

Depending on the region/ zone, the LPA will have to comply with the regulations and grant approval or reject permission. The pre-application will give you a better idea about the changes you might have to make to get the structure approved by the authorities. This will also get your application processed faster as it complies with the regulations.

·        Cost of Planning Permission

The planning application for temporary extension buildings is £206. If it’s new construction, you’ll need to pay around £462. This is only the application fee. There will be a few other costs involved, such as the agent’s fee, the professional’s fee, the architect’s fee, and so on. The total amount will be between £1000 and £2000.

You can use the online fee calculator to get the right estimate. If you are applying online, the fee calculator is a part of the process.

Conclusion

An easy way would be to hire a service provider to handle the entire process on your behalf. Several building companies offer these services apart from construction services.