Borough Council confirms Prime Stables Mobile Field Shelters do not need planning permission

Reigate & Banstead Borough Councils' Development Department have written to a client of Prime Stables stating quite categorically that;

 "Mobile Field Shelters do not require planning permission"

Our Client Mrs Samouel enquired on the 6th September 2010 for clarification on the subject.

After considering Mrs Samouel's request they wrote:

" I refer to your letter on 6 September 2010 and our telephone conversations earlier today with regard to your proposal to purchase a 'mobile field shelter' for the agricultural and educational use of your business. I write to clarify the position.

Firstly before I consider the merits of the request for confirmation that your proposal would not require planning permission you have informed me that the proposed field shelter will have the following properties:

A mobile field shelter in similar appearance to a sizeable timber shed but with large permanent openings on one of the sides; no floor; mounted on a steel frame with skids and a shackle coupling at one end to allow it to be moved by towing to a vehicle; it would not be permanently sited; there would be no services and no physical attachment to the ground; and; there would be no preparation of the ground prior to its use.

With regard to the question of whether the proposed field shelter would require planning permission I have had regard to the background information that you submitted and Planning appeal case ref: APP/B1225/C/0111057144.

Whilst this letter cannot be a substitute for a certificate of Lawfulness I am of the opinion that if the proposed mobile shelter is used on the site, as described above, and is maintained as a mobile structure that is moved and not as a stationary structure used for long term storage of hay etc.. then it is my initial opinion that your proposal would not amount to operational development as defined in Section 44(1) of the 1990 Act and therefore would not require planning permission.

We would like to thank thank Reigate & Banstead Councils' Development Department for there clarity on the subject for all Prime Stables clients past present and future.