what annoys me more is that i have been told that i can extened my gh if i want. its a std 8x6 and i have been given another 8x6 and they have no problem with me adding it to mine making a 16x6 gh..
the reason is that gh`s are not classed as a structure.. :?
cant quite figure the difference myself
The Council nailed me 2 or 3 years ago over a steel container (typical shipping container, 26 foot x 8 foot, painted green and in good condition) that I sited at work. I own the land and the workshop that's already on it, there is no public right of way (though kids and short-cut folk use it), it didn't block any road or impede any traffic whatsoever. It was appropriately painted and actually sited on the far side of the land (from any neighbours) and I draped over it the branches of a huge weeping willow tree.
I ended up using it mainly for storing site tools (generator, digging gear etc) and lengths of decent timber and anything else stealable (so everything!) and yet under the feet in the workshop. It was there for about a year without incident before a Council official (a woman) arrived (I had popped to the bank at the time and left a mate on the premises) and left a card and a message about Planning Permission. ?? This was a Friday afternoon.
On the Monday morning I (reluctantly) telephoned her office to see what it was about. She was 'out on site' I was told. I tried later in the day - still out of the office. I phoned again on the Tuesday - she was out again. I didn't mind at all but knew it probably wouldn't go away. On Wednesday she was 'off sick". Same on the Thursday, and whoever I spoke to said maybe next Monday after all would now be the best bet. I didn't ring on the Friday.
Next Monday she was back in - but out of the office! I kid you not. Unfortunately, on the Tuesday I spoke to her. She had to remember, rummage about on her desk or whatever, and then tell me that I had not got Planning Permission for the container. "But I didn't think you needed PP for a lock-up container, it's not a building, no foundations, can be moved and re-sited, no windows, no drains or water supply" I said.
"Oh" she said "they are classified as a building
now". "Now", I said, "does that mean they once weren't and when has that changed, and apart from which I've met and know one or two folk who have a container at home in the back garden or even backyard?"
She ignored much of the question and just said that whatever once was, now PP was needed as a container is now a building - albeit craftily described as a 'Temporary Building'. And it was 110 quid to apply. And here's the one -
because it's a temporary building, you can only have temporary permission. And that she could tell me 'off the record' that I wouldn't get 3 or even 2 years permission. Best to apply just for a year and see how it goes and if there are any objections. From who? What harm is it doing? It's private land, it's my container, I've already paid for those. Why do I have to pay for permission to own them? What happens then after a year I asked. Oh, you'll have to re-apply she says. And pay again? Oh yes, though maybe I'd get 2 or 3 years permission the 2nd application. So, for a container I've bought and paid for, on land I own and pay rates for, to which there is no other right of access, I have to keep paying a charge every year or so, forever, just to be given permission of ownership.
Here's the the ultimate killer blow. Because it's a building (even a temp one), it's also liable for business rates in it's own right. So I'd be paying 2 taxes (just for the container) as well as the rates on the land in the first place.
I ended up ignoring, eventually being threatened with legal action and so eventually having to move it and do without. Thanks a lot Council.
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April 01, 2011, 01:32