Nowadays, temporary buildings are becoming quite common. These structures are built using prefabricated materials and steel beams. The setup time is quite short, which means that the cost of construction is lower than that of a conventional building.
Most of the time, temporary buildings come in handy during emergencies. However, the structures can also be customized and used for residential needs. Temporary structures are also available in different formats, which we will highlight in this guide.
Planning permissions and approvals are a huge factor whenever you’re setting up any type of building. In this guide, we will delve deeper and discuss what you need to know about planning for temporary buildings.
Benefits of Temporary Structures
Temporary buildings from Smart-Space have plenty of benefits over conventional brick-and-mortar houses. One of the top benefits is portability. The building can be pulled down and the materials moved to the new area where you need it to be set up.
The other advantage is that temporary structures come with some excellent energy-saving features. The buildings are usually fitted with clear PVC roofing that lets in natural light during the day. You can also have the walls fitted with extra padding to boost insulation and keep the building warm during cold seasons.
Temporary structures can also be used for various purposes. For instance, the building can be used to set up indoor arenas, factories, warehouses, or be used for residential purposes.
How to Go About Planning for a Temporary Building
We recommend consulting the relevant authority in your region before buying a temporary structure. In some instances, you may not need to get planning permission for your structure depending on its size and how long you’re planning to use it.
Planning permissions can take anywhere between two to three months before getting approved. As such, try to submit your papers a couple of months in advance. The idea here is that it will give you time to submit a reapplication if the first is rejected.
In certain instances, you can set up the temporary structure without applying for planning permission. However, you will need to show proof that you need the building urgently or you’re using it for emergency purposes.
Failure to get planning for temporary buildings can have some negative repercussions. You might be fined by the relevant local government or authority. You may even be required to pull down the structure and wait until you apply for planning permission.
When a Planning Permission May Not Be Necessary
As mentioned above, there are special instances where you may not need planning for temporary buildings. However, there are other select cases where you may not need to apply for planning permission. First, if you are planning to use the structure for less than four weeks, you don’t need to apply for planning permission. If the new temporary structure is an extension of an already existing structure, you may not need planning permission.
Another reason why you may not need to apply for planning permission is of the structure has a floor space of less than 100 square meters.
Wrapping Up
Planning for temporary buildings is a must if your structure has a floor space of more than 100 square meters. In addition, if you will be using the building for more than a month, you will also need to apply to get approvals from the relevant authorities.
Overall, temporary structures offer plenty of benefits over regular brick-and-mortar buildings. We recommend doing market research when looking for the perfect structure that will meet your demands. Besides that, you can also consider leasing the structure if you’re only going to use it for a short period.
