Do You Need Planning Permission for a Mobile Field Shelter in the UK?

When it comes to adding a field shelter for your horses, ponies, or livestock, one of the first questions people ask is: do I need planning permission?

The answer isn’t always straightforward. In many cases, a genuinely mobile field shelter does not need planning permission. But there are some important conditions to meet, and rules can vary depending on your local council, especially if your land is within a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or Green Belt.

This guide breaks down the key things you need to know before putting up a mobile field shelter.

When a Mobile Field Shelter Usually Doesn’t Need Planning Permission

A field shelter is often classed as mobile if:

• It sits on skids or wheels, with no permanent foundations.
• It can be moved as a single unit or towed without dismantling.
• There are no services connected (water, electricity, drainage).
• The ground beneath hasn’t been prepared with a concrete base or hardstanding.

If your shelter ticks all these boxes and the land is being used for grazing, planning permission is generally not required. If you're unsure and want to find out, click here. 

Key Tests Councils Use

Planners don’t just look at the shelter itself also consider how you use the land. Here are the main factors:

1. Permanence and Fixings

If the shelter has a concrete base or is connected to utilities, it’s likely to be classed as a permanent structure, and that means you’ll need permission.

2. Mobility

It must be designed to be moved. Some councils expect proof that you actually relocate the shelter from time to time.

3. Land Use: Grazing vs Keeping Horses

This often surprises people:

• Grazing (simply eating grass) is an agricultural use.
• Keeping horses (for livery, exercising, feeding, rugging, or riding) is an equestrian use, and that can count as a change of use of the land, which may require permission, even without buildings.

4. Location

If you’re in a National Park or AONB, the rules are much tighter. Some National Parks say that even mobile shelters may need permission, while others take a more flexible view.

Common Pitfalls That Trigger Planning Permission

Many field shelters start off as “mobile” but end up treated as permanent by the council. Watch out for:

• Putting down a hardstanding underneath.
• Connecting to mains services.
• Leaving it in one spot for years without moving it.
• Using the land for purposes beyond grazing.

What If You’re Unsure?

Every council interprets the rules slightly differently. If you’re uncertain, you have a few options:

• Ask for pre-application advice from your local planning authority.
• Apply for a Lawful Development Certificate, which gives written confirmation that your shelter doesn’t need planning.
• Speak to a planning consultant or check professional guidance, such as the AONB postcode checker, if your land is in a sensitive area like an AONB.

This way, you’ll avoid any surprises, or worse, an enforcement notice.

FAQs

Do I need to move my shelter regularly?
Not all councils insist, but moving it occasionally can help show it is truly mobile.

Can I put down a hardstanding?
A concrete or hardcore base usually makes it “development” and requires permission. Grass mats or movable bases are less likely to cause issues.

What if my neighbour complains?
If your shelter is genuinely mobile and lawful, you should be fine. But if the council investigates, you may need to prove its mobility and the lawful use of your land.

 

In many cases, a mobile field shelter does not need planning permission, but the details really matter. Keep it genuinely moveable, avoid permanent groundworks, and make sure your land is being used in line with planning definitions.

If in doubt, always check with your local authority. A quick conversation now could save a lot of hassle later.