Planning for your Pod
When it comes to the issue of planning permission for installing a camping pod you can ensure you are doing the right thing by both doing your research and speaking with the relevant planning officials.
The below information is solely for guidance and it not legal advice. If you’re at all unsure as to whether or not you need planning permission for siting a camping pod then it is strongly urged that you get in touch with your local planning authority.
For Campsites:
If you plan to purchase a pod which is able to be moved about then you may be able to install it without planning permission on your site as a pod can officially 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 this to occur though you will need to have the correct camping and caravanning licences prior to this on your campsite.
If your pods are not mobile or you plan to install multiple camping pods on your site, then check with your local planning authority first. A series of interesting guidance notes from the Lake District National Park authority provides some additional information in how they approach proposals for camping pods (although it is not planning policy).
For Homes:
If you’re planning on buying a camping pod to use as an extra addition to your home, such as garden office or studio then planning permission isn’t normally required.
This is because the pod falls under the permitted development rights for the house 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. For a good overview about permitted development have a look at this article here.
This however does not provide a green light on any sort of pod to be installed as there are conditions which govern the placement of the pod in relation to the house. For instance certain conditions mean that:
- 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.
In some circumstances though these rights have been withdrawn when the house falls is sited in a conservation area, National Park, Area of Outstanding National Beauty or the Norfolk and Suffolk broads. If this is the case then a planning application will need to be submitted which can be increase the costs and time it takes to install your camping pod.
If you are planning on constructing or purchasing a camping pod, or pod structure to use as a permanent dwelling then planning permission will need to be granted. For more information contact your local planning authority, as well as look through the information available on the Planning Portal.