Can I Put a Pod on My Land?

Jun 13, 2025

Thinking of dropping a glamping pod or tent—or even a tiny office—on your backyard? Short answer: maybe. It depends on rules, pod type, and where you live. From planning permissions to poop pipes, there’s more to it than plonking a pod. Read on before your dream tent turns into a legal nightmare.

Personal Use in Your Garden: The "Outbuilding" Scenario

Pods meant for personal use—such as home offices, yoga rooms, or hobby spaces—are often treated as outbuildings. These can sometimes be installed without planning permission, thanks to permitted development rights.

But even in your own garden, it’s not a free-for-all. You’ll need to ensure the pod meets certain rules and doesn’t break local planning controls.

Compact wooden camping pod with black shingle curved roof, natural wood front, and glass-paneled double doors.

Understanding UK Permitted Development Rights

Permitted development rights allow homeowners to make specific changes to their property without formal permission. These include building small structures like sheds, garden offices—and yes, pods.

However, the rules can vary depending on where you live and how the pod will be used. Councils interpret permitted development slightly differently, so it’s best not to assume.

Key Rules You Must Follow (Height, Size, Proximity to Boundary)

To stay within permitted development, the pod usually needs to meet size and height limitations. For example:

Detached pod: No higher than 3 metres and under 15 square metres in floor area
Attached pod: Up to 4 metres high, with a size limit of 20 square metres

Pods taller than 2.5 metres must also sit at least 2 metres from any boundary. These limits are in place to prevent visual clutter and disputes with neighbours.

Your local council may apply slight variations to these figures—so always double-check.

Exceptions: Stricter Rules for National Parks, AONBs, and Listed Buildings

If your property is located in a conservation area, national park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), permitted development rights may not apply. The same goes for listed buildings.

In these sensitive areas, almost all pods will require formal planning permission. That includes glamping tents and temporary structures.

Commercial Use: Starting a UK Glamping Business

Running a glamping pod or tent site on your land for paying guests is considered commercial activity. That’s a different ballgame from using it yourself.

You’ll likely need full planning permission, and perhaps a site licence too.

Why Renting Out a Pod Requires a "Change of Land Use" Application

If you're charging money for overnight stays, you're not just adding a structure—you're changing how the land is used. This counts as a “material change of use” in planning terms.

Even if the pods are temporary or off-grid, councils still treat them as a commercial development. That means submitting a formal application.

Large curved wooden glamping pod with green front panels and black hexagonal shingle roof, featuring a central glass door.

The 28-Day & 60-Day Rules for Temporary Use Explained

The 28-day rule allows landowners to use their land for temporary activities—like camping or glamping—for up to 28 days a year. This can be a handy loophole, but it's limited.

Some councils may allow up to 60 days under certain schemes, though this often comes with conditions. Either way, keeping pods on the land permanently would require full permission.

UK Site Licensing and Other Business Requirements

Beyond planning, you may also need a site licence from the local council. This typically applies if:

You have more than one unit
Guests stay more than 28 days
You're offering amenities like toilets, water, or power

Health, safety, and fire regulations will also come into play. And you’ll likely need insurance too.

Residential Use: Can Someone Live in the Pod?

Want someone to live full-time in a pod? That’s different from a garden office or guest room.

The more permanent and independent the setup, the more likely you'll need permission.

The Difference Between "Ancillary" Use and a "Separate Dwelling"

An “ancillary” pod is used as part of the main home. Think: a guest bedroom, art space, or overflow lounge. These may not need planning permission if they don’t include full facilities.

However, once a pod is equipped with a kitchen and bathroom—and has its own entrance—it becomes a “separate dwelling”. That definitely requires planning approval.

Why Pods with Full Amenities Require Planning Permission

Pods with full plumbing and kitchen facilities are usually viewed as standalone homes. These trigger stricter planning and building regulations.

They also require consideration for drainage, waste, insulation, and fire safety. Trying to bypass these rules can land you with serious fines—or an order to remove the pod.

Interior of a wooden barrel-style glamping pod showing two benches with log-print cushions, a partition door, and a raised double bed in the back.

A Guide to the UK's Planning and Approval System

Before installing any type of pod—whether for work, holidays, or living—it helps to understand how planning and building rules work together.

Planning Permission vs. Building Regulations in the UK

What is UK Planning Permission? (Controlling land use and appearance)

Planning permission is about how land is used and how new developments affect the surroundings. It deals with visibility, access, usage, and suitability of the site.

Councils use it to protect neighbourhood character and make sure changes are in the public interest.

What are UK Building Regulations? (Ensuring safety and construction standards)

Building regulations focus on the construction and safety of the pod itself. That includes:

Fire resistance
Energy efficiency
Structural stability
Water and waste systems

Even if you don’t need planning permission, you might still need to comply with building regs.

Is it Possible to Need One Without the Other?

Yes. It’s entirely possible to:

Need planning permission, but not building regulations
Need building regulations, but not planning permission
Or need both, depending on what you’re building and why

Always check before proceeding, especially if utilities are involved.

The Essential First Step: Consulting Your Local Council

The Value of Pre-Application Advice from a UK Planning Officer

Most councils offer pre-application advice, often for a small fee. This gives you a clear idea of what’s allowed—and what isn’t—before submitting any paperwork.

It’s a chance to avoid mistakes, delays, or outright rejections later on.

Information You Will Need to Provide for Your Enquiry

To get helpful advice, include:

The site address and postcode
Your intended pod use (personal, rental, or full-time living)
Pod size, height, and proposed layout
Notes about access, drainage, or solar panels (if relevant)

Sketches or links to the pod model also help speed things up.

The Significant Risks of Proceeding Without Formal Approval

Skipping formal checks can backfire badly. If you build a pod without permission and someone reports it, the council could:

Issue a stop notice
Demand a retrospective application
Or even order the removal of the pod entirely

Better to ask first and build with confidence, than to guess and face a costly fix.

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