Planning Permission
This is a key question for anyone wishing to own a pod. In the first instance we would always advise that you seek help from the relevent planning officers in your area.
The information below is solely for guidance and is not legal advice.
The information below is solely for guidance and is not legal advice.
Home Use
If you are thinking of buying a pod for use as an addition to your home, such as a garden office or studio then planning permission isn’t normally required.
In this instance the pod falls under the permitted development rights for the home and is incidental to the main property. Incidental has been defined to mean “subordinate to the enjoyment of a house for residential purposes”. Permitted development offers home-owners a whole variety of potential ways to make the best use of their extra space without planning.
In spite of this, there are still conditions that you must adhere to before you can install your pod.
In this instance the pod falls under the permitted development rights for the home and is incidental to the main property. Incidental has been defined to mean “subordinate to the enjoyment of a house for residential purposes”. Permitted development offers home-owners a whole variety of potential ways to make the best use of their extra space without planning.
In spite of this, there are still conditions that you must adhere to before you can install your pod.
- Your pod cannot have a total area of more than 50% of the total area of land which surrounds your property.
- The pod cannot be over 2.5m in height.
- The pod cannot be allowed to block the light into neighbouring properties or obstruct nearby doors and windows.
Campsites
Under certain circumstances it may be possible to install your pod without planning permission as your pod could be classed as a caravan.
The legal definition of a caravan is:
"Any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer)." - Section 29 (1) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
For the above to apply, a campsite will need to have the correct camping and caravanning licences.
It is still highly advisable that you seek advice from the relevant local planning officers.
The legal definition of a caravan is:
"Any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer)." - Section 29 (1) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
For the above to apply, a campsite will need to have the correct camping and caravanning licences.
It is still highly advisable that you seek advice from the relevant local planning officers.
