Hi all -
Local planning officer is suggesting that sheds for forestry tools would not be allowed as permitted development if not used for a commercial forestry business. Any one else had experience of this perspective? Of course I don’t fancy paying for a legal opinion on it, but it seems an outright mis-understanding of the regulations, which allow for buildings “reasonably necessary” for work in the woods…. Which requires all the spades, bow saw, scythe, etc on my shed!
Would appreciate any useful stories related to this!
Hi, assuming the land is classed as woodland and not residential; I am not aware why the commercial requirement has been suggested. I have not heard anything previously to suggest this is correct and as you say it doesn’t align with the legislation, certainly that I am aware of.
Out of curiosity, did you manage to progress with your shed?
I have been doing some more reading and ‘Century Wood - Notes from a Shropshire Woodland’ has some particularly useful information. Here is an excerpt;
‘There is also no requirement that forestry work is done on a commercial basis. Forestry can be done for conservation and wildlife purposes, for instance. Due to the long term nature of commercial forestry, it would also hardly be reasonable to ask woodland owners to show the wood has been profitable over the last few years.’
Source: Forestry Permitted Development