A temporary building can be used in a wide range of industries and can be constructed quickly and affordably. You need to know the rules and regulations of planning permission before you build anything, whether it’s for short-term or long-term use.
To ensure that your build has no unplanned setbacks, this blog will highlight the situations where you need planning permission and do not.
For over 80 years, Neptunus has been supplying its customers with a wide range of high-quality event structures and temporary buildings. Whether you need extra space immediately or for a variety of different uses, they have the perfect solution.
Can you build a temporary building without planning permission?
The rules and regulations regarding planning permission should be reviewed before you begin the construction of a temporary building. It is possible to submit a retrospective application, but there is no guarantee that it will be approved. Buildings that are determined to be in violation of a planning permit may be served with an enforcement notice requesting that the specific violation be remedied. This is frequently a tedious process that raises the overall cost of your build significantly. In the worst situation, it will be necessary to completely demolish your temporary structure.
When do you need planning permission?
If a building meets specific requirements, planning clearance is needed for it. According to government regulations, every building that will be used for more than 28 days must get planning permission. While most temporary buildings will be in use for longer than four weeks, some, like filming studios, might only be used for a couple of weeks at a time.
You must also consider where your temporary construction will be, and if it will be within 5 metres of your site border, you will also need planning approval. Another consideration is the size of your temporary structure. Any temporary building with a floor area greater than 200 m2 needs approval. If an existing building is present, the volume of the temporary structure must be less than 25% of it, as well as the temporary structure’s size must be less than 25% of the overall site.
Additionally, if the temporary construction modifies the building’s exterior or affects parking or access, you must obtain planning clearance.
When is it okay to build without planning permission?
A temporary structure that will only be in operation for a brief period of time—less than four weeks—rarely needs planning clearance. You probably won’t need planning clearance if your building has a footprint of 200 m2 or less. Even so, this is not a given, thus thought should be given to it and research should be done before construction begins. Contact your local planning authority (LPA). if you’re still uncertain about whether you need planning approval for your temporary structure.
How to apply for planning permission for temporary buildings?
The procedure for requesting planning approval for a temporary structure is the same as that for a permanent one. Before you purchase your temporary structure and most especially before you construct it, we strongly advise requesting for planning approval. As was already indicated, you are able to submit a retrospective application, but doing so is not advised if at all possible because there is no assurance that it would be accepted.
It’s also ideal to submit the application well in advance of when you want to begin construction. Consider adding 8 to 12 weeks to your overall timetable for planning applications. When temporary structures are urgently required, you can proceed without obtaining planning approval. After that, you can submit your application retrospectively, and based on the situation, the urgency will be considered and permission will be granted. You will be compelled to demolish the structure and return the land to its original state if the request is denied.
Before filing the application, you need to get in touch with your local planning authority (LPA) to obtain planning clearance for your temporary construction. Make sure you have all the necessary information on hand before setting up an appointment to discuss the specifics of your build here. It’s vital to be aware of factors like how the structure will impact the neighbourhood, parking and access, and whether additional infrastructure will be required.
Additionally, you should be aware of dimensions like floor area, height, and arrangement. It’s also important to keep in mind that some appointments can have a fee. By scheduling an appointment in advance, you reduce the possibility of running into any issues during the application process, which will aid in the procedure’s acceleration.
Temporary structures with Neptunus
Neptunus has been in business for more than 80 years and is one of the biggest suppliers of temporary structures and event structures worldwide. They have earned a reputation for offering high-quality temporary structures for usage in a variety of industries during this time.
