If you are planning an event and intend to erect a temporary building, there is sometimes uncertainty as to whether you need to obtain planning permission.
The short answer when it comes to planning and structures like prefab buildings, is that planning permission is probably necessary if you intend to use the building for more than a 28 day period, but as with most rules, there are exceptions.
Understandable confusion
Temporary buildings offer a great deal of flexibility and provide the idea solution in any number of industrial and commercial scenarios.
The ability to extend your operational space or create an instant showroom in a sales environment are just two prime examples of why so many people turn to temporary building structures to meet their immediate needs, but there is understandable confusion when it comes to meeting planning rules.
The initial consideration when dealing with this question is to establish exactly what constitutes a building from a planning perspective.
Here are some of the fundamental points that can help you decide what action is needed with regard to your temporary building.
Plan ahead
Get advice early on the process, as it can take up to 8 weeks for an application to be approved, although relatively straightforward applications can be completed in less time than that.
Interim solution
If you already have an existing planning application or rebuild project on the site and require the temporary building as an interim solution during the refurbishment or building period, you will not need to seek further permission to use erect and use a temporary structure.
Good communication
Although some might not feel it is always the case, a local planning officer is there to offer some guidance where needed and hopefully help, not hinder, any planning application that you have to make.
You should aim to maintain a good line of communication with your appointed planning officer at all stages of the application and approval process. This will help avoid any unnecessary delays and should ensure that any planning consent needed, will be approved in the shortest amount of time.
Get expert help
If you know what type of temporary building you need and what length of time you need it for, make sure you get some expert help and guidance from someone who is familiar with the planning process and has regular contact with your local planning office.
You may find that the company you use to supply the temporary structure will be able to give you the assistance you need when it comes to planning and your initial priority is to quickly establish whether your temporary building project actually needs planning permission or not.
Retrospective planning
There are occasions where you might discover that you did need planning consent and subsequently have to apply for retrospective planning permission.
If you had to fulfil an urgent need and acquired a temporary building in a hurry, you should find that most retrospective applications are unlikely to be refused, provided you have a good level of communication with the local planning officer, or use someone who has that relationship with them.
It should be reasonably simple to establish whether you need planning permission for your temporary building and after that, you can get on with using it for whatever you need it for without any more concerns.
Antony Hunt has managed Smart Space for over three decades and understands the building challenges and needs of businesses and organizations in the UK. He also enjoys posting about his experiences online. Look for his articles on various building and construction, education and business blogs and websites.
