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Frequent Asked Questions
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General
Shepherd's Hut Planning Permission: What You Need to KnowIf you put a shepherd's hut in your garden and use it only as a personal outdoor space, you usually don't need planning permission. The shepherd's hut counts as part of your home, so you don't have to tell the local council.But if you want to let out your Shepherd's Hut as a business, you will need planning permission. At Great Barn Shepherd Huts, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way. We work with you to provide practical advice and help ensure you meet all rules and standards.Do You Need Planning Permission for a Shepherd's Hut?But if you plan to rent out your shepherd's hut as a tiny house for business, you'll usually need planning permission for business use, though there are a few exceptions.For example, if the hut is seen as a 'temporary' structure and rented for less than 28 days a year, it may be an exception. However, what counts as 'temporary' is not always clear.If you want to buy a Shepherd's Hut to rent out, the 28-day rule is usually too limiting, so we don't recommend relying on this exception.We are always here to talk about the best ways to get planning permission for shepherd's huts.The Planning Permission ProcessWe recommend a simple three-step planning process at Great Barn Shepherd Huts:Initial Concept Design.Pre-Planning Application.Full Planning Application.Initial Concept Design.In the first stage, we work with you to plan your site around your needs and create great outdoor living spaces, by combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technology we help ensure accurate site layouts and that your shepherd's hut fits your space.Pre-Planning Application.In the pre-planning stage, we work with you and the local council to help them understand your plans and improve your chances of early approval. A pre-planning application means sending your shepherd's hut plans to the council for feedback and advice before you make a formal application. Talk openly with the council from the start. Councils are usually more helpful if you ask for pre-planning advice, and we can support you through this process.Full Planning Application.After you get full planning permission for your shepherd's hut, you can move forward with developing your site and start buying your shepherd's hut. You will also know your site is legal and meets all the rules. Our team at Great Barn Shepherd Huts will help you with drawings, applications, and advice so you can launch your site successfully.
At GB Shepherd’s Huts our aim is to make the decision-making process as easy as possible, guiding you every step of the way whilst listening carefully to your ideas and requirements. We provide you with the best options to create your perfectly designed Hut, from the size and layout to fixtures and fittings. We highly recommend you check out the ‘Photo Gallery’ on our website to come up with some great ideas for your perfect HUT!Once we know exactly what you want, we will draft a proposal. This will include specification, floor plan layout, exterior finish and a quotation. Once you are happy with everything, we then require a 30% deposit to confirm your order and book a build slot. Mid way through the build and on completion of the watertight structure, we require 50% of the balance with the remainder due on completion and delivery of your hut.
We use locally sourced timber from Sussex Timber Co., who manage woodlands and estates in the South Downs National Park with sustainability in mind. For our projects, we choose Cedar Wavey Edge cladding, Ash hardwood for handmade kitchen worktops and sink tops, and air-dried oak for shelving, cabinetry, and other furniture. Our wheels are crafted by hand using traditional techniques. Our roofing and cladding suppliers offer a classic range of colours, all meeting British Standards. We carefully select appliances to ensure they meet current British Standards for safety and performance. Clients choose their own soft furnishings, which we source from trusted British suppliers.
We offer UK wide delivery along with Europe. All huts are delivered by us using a 4 x 4 with trailer or low loader for the larger huts. During the order process we discuss the delivery along with local site obstacles to ensure your hut is perfectly positioned in place. Delivery costs will be estimated during the order process. This will then be confirmed prior to delivery. (A site visit may be required)
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