Replacing summerhouse with stable?

Dogstar

Dogstar

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I am looking to buy a nice property which has no stables currently. It has an old summerhouse in the garden, smallish and permanent on a concrete base. The vendors have not supplied any planning documentation for it, but I haven't queried this yet. The property is in an AONB and has no permitted development. Would it be OK to replace the summerhouse with a stable do you reckon without approaching the local authority?
 
If the summerhouse has been up for more than 4 years it is likely that the council wouldn't be able to take any action against it, the only exception is if there is an attempt at concealment. So it is safe if it has been up that long, whether or not it had PP.

My understanding was that the ability to build stables in the garden came under the permitted development heading. If those rights are removed, then I think if the summerhouse is taken down, you would not have an automatic right to replace it with anything, as all new structures would need PP.

The AONB designation would in itself restrict the size and position of what would be allowed, but might (depending on the size and position of summerhouse and proposed replacement stables) allow for something to be built. But not if you don't have permitted development rights.

Remember also about muck heaps, you could build the stables but if neighbour moans about the pong you could end up not being able to use them unless there is a strategy for what to do about the manure and liquid run off. Is there grazing with the property attached to the garden?

It would be worth getting expert advice tho, as this is only laymans opinion, Not to be relied on!

Of course you could follow the summerhouse strategy, build it and hope no one complains and hope you get to 4 years....
 
Thanks for your thoughts. It's actually a smallholding and there are other places to put stables, inside existing barns, but I thought I might be able to get away with an extra one by directly replacing the summer house. I realise I can't just throw up new ones in the garden without permitted development. How would the LA be able to prove that the stable used to be a summer house, hmm?
 
Dogstar said:
Thanks for your thoughts. It's actually a smallholding and there are other places to put stables, inside existing barns, but I thought I might be able to get away with an extra one by directly replacing the summer house. I realise I can't just throw up new ones in the garden without permitted development. How would the LA be able to prove that the stable used to be a summer house, hmm?
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Usually when a neighbour you thought you got on with dobs you in. However if you don't have near neighbours, you might just go ahead (maybe use a mobile model so that if it goes pear shaped it could be used as a field shelter) and keep a low profile.

In our case (listed house, 40 acre holding) the LA seemed keen on our doing a mini barn rather than a line of loose boxes as it looks more agricultural and also I guess they figured if they didn't give PP we could just do agric prenotification for a big shed.
 
Good advice thanks. I think it will be easier just to put some tubby boxes in the agricultural barns and use the Summerhouse for its original purpose :)
 
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