Another Shed question or two

[dave]

I'm thinking of putting up a garden shed and would appreciate some advice about the latest "what's allowed".

Do I have to have planning permission? The shed is 10' x 8' timber construction (mainly T&G).

Am I allowed to put down flat paving slabs on top of concrete mounds to act as the base? Or would that constitute a "permanent" structure and therfore need planning permission?

I erected a shed using the above slab method about 15 years ago and it's still standing (and level) so I think it's a pretty good way of doing it - unless you know of a better one of course?

The shed will be about 18" from the neighbours wire fence that separates our two gardens. There are no buildings the other side of that fence except their garden - but they may well not like it (I can't ask as they are hostile to even the politest approach - please , so cuppa tea advice - it's been that way for 30 years!).

Finally - any reccommendations for a shed supplier in the East Mids (Notts)? There are quite a few out there and so a personal experience buyer's opinion would be much appreciated. Thanks

[David Hansen]

On Tue, 09 Jan 2007 20:02:27 GMT someone who may be dave wrote this:-

Contact the planning bunch of your council and ask them. The information may well be on their web site.

[Tim S]

Often there is no problem with such "temporary structures" but maybe in a conservation area there might be restrictions, and you might have other restrictions in deeds, covenants etc... Impossible to give you an exact answer.

Technically there may also restrictions about how close to a boundary or house, but people seem to ignore this happily round my way.

Your local borough council might (mine do) have a leaflet which outlines what needs and doesn't need PP. Or you can always ask them, which will give you an authoritative answer and won't cost anything.

I wouldn't worry about this, provided having a shed at all is OK - many people put down a simple base of slabs to give more stability or prolong the life of the wood.

I did one on paving slabs on a base of 6:1 sand/cement straight onto earth, with a simple containment edging around the sides. That worked well - the sand/cement went down dry, was levelled and compacted as if laying block paving and was watered in afterwards the slabs went down. 6:1 is very weak, but enough to stop the sand wandering off.

Don't know - technically, if there is a rule around your way, that says 1m from the fence or whatever, then they could make your life difficult if you ignore it - eg. grass you up to the council. Best ask the council PP dept again...

Can't help there - sorry.

HTH

Tim