Old shed! does it have rights?

@plough wrote:

Hi all, I have recently purchased a half acre field accessed through an adjoining field which meets the end of a cul de sac or old lane. This plot is on the side of a small cliff face above the sea and consists of a 26-ft x12-ft old shed at the back of the field (which does not have p.p. but has been there for over 14-years). This space is in a rural area. Do I have a right to make it safe, i.e. fix the corrugated roof and board up the sides? and maybe use the space for painting in? This plot has no services and will stay that way. (I live locally) or do I need to apply for retention?

Regards,
Plough

technically, you need permission.

a ‘shed’ as such can only exist exempt of permission if its for agriculture use (subject to certain conditions).
As the ‘shed’ is to be used for what is basically domestic use, the only way it could be exempt is if a dwelling already existed on site.

Hi Henno,
Thanks for the reply, Do you think it would be easy to get permission? or do I have to start from scratch, or can a retention solve it?

Cheers
Plough

There are some reasons why you might not need permission; e.g. it might already have it, or it might have been built as an exempted development. I don’t know what happens if you build an exempted development on part of your land and subsequesntly sell that part. I would be surprised if it meant the building became unauthorised, (but I’ve been surprised before)

In any case, if its been there that long the council have limited scope to make you remove it. Its the change of use that might require permission, if you are proposing one. But maybe your predecessors use of the shed was so similar to yours that no change occurs.

Councils’ kneejerk response to every query is that you need pp when very often you do not.