Planning Exemption Certificates with Greendown Shepherd Huts

Planning Exemption Certificates with Greendown Shepherd Huts

When looking to build a new structure on your property, you might be surprised at the level of regulations involved. While certain structures like conservatories or sheds don’t always require planning permission, this might become a necessity based on your location and building specification.

At Greendown Shepherd Huts, we provide exemption services for customers looking to use our huts commercially ­– whether that’s glamping sites, renting them out, or hosting retreats. In this article, we’ll discuss how Greendown Owners Club helps you bypass lengthy and complex planning applications, managing the exemption process in-house and saving you time, stress, and uncertainty.

If you’re looking for a shepherd hut and don’t know where to start, get in touch with our friendly team.

When is a Planning Exemption Certificate Required?

In many cases, a shepherd hut doesn’t require full planning permission – particularly if it’s used privately for occasional stays or for ancillary purposes (like a home office or guest accommodation). However, if you’re planning to use our shepherd huts commercially, you will require either full planning permission or a planning exemption certificate.

This is where Greendown’s expertise comes in. We’re licensed to offer exemption certification through the Greendown Owners Club, enabling eligible landowners to operate up to five shepherd huts without applying for full planning permission.

This service is particularly beneficial if you’re launching a glamping site, farm stay, or small-scale retreat business and want to avoid the delays and complexity of traditional planning routes.

Find out more about our Greendown Owners Club >

Our Planning Exemption Process

We believe in making the planning process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. That’s why we manage every step of the exemption process ourselves – from site checks to certification – ensuring greater transparency, speed, and control.

Initial Checks

Before you even place your order, we’ll help you understand whether your location and intended use meet the planning exemption criteria. This includes reviewing:

• The number of huts you plan to install (up to five allowed)

• The commercial nature of your site

• The site location, including any protected designations (e.g. AONB or SSSI)

• Existing land ownership or written permission to use the site

This initial stage gives you a clearer picture of what’s possible, and whether exemption is realistic for your situation. Once we’ve got the details down, we transition on to the next stage – actively working towards your planning exemption certificate.

Documentation and Evidence

If we believe your project qualifies for exemption, we’ll take care of the exemption process on your behalf. This includes:

• A full site certification application

• Notifications to the local planning authority and parish council

• A public notice inviting feedback from neighbours

• Site inspection reports

The exemption is valid for 12 months and can be renewed annually. Throughout this period, your huts can operate as commercial holiday lets, provided they comply with our certification terms. It also provides peace of mind, ensuring you’re confident in your investment’s long-term viability.

Ongoing Support and Guidance

Unlike third-party providers, we handle the entire exemption process in-house. This gives us full visibility and control, so you’re not left waiting on external consultants or drawn-out decisions. We’re on hand and here to help, guiding you through:

• Infrastructure limits

• Insurance and liability cover

• Decking permissions and permitted development rules

• Listing your site on third-party platforms (Airbnb, etc)

You’re also free to advertise and manage bookings however you like. We don’t take a cut of your income – just a one-off application fee and an annual renewal cost to keep your site certified.

With our team at your side, there’s always someone to reach out to if you get stuck or have any questions. Get in touch today to get started.

The Benefits of Planning a Shepherd Hut with Greendown

Planning permission has long been one of the biggest blockers for landowners wanting to launch glamping sites or rural retreats. Applications can be slow, inconsistent, and often leave you waiting months for decisions that may not go in your favour.

That’s why we created the Greendown Owners Club – a licensed, streamlined solution that gives you the right to operate up to five huts without requiring full planning permission. Working in collaboration with Natural England, we’re able to certify sites across England, Scotland, and Wales, giving you a faster, more reliable path to getting started with commercial shepherd huts.

Because we manage everything internally, we’re able to cut delays, offer consistent advice, and keep you informed throughout. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your existing offering, our in-house exemption service is designed to remove the red tape so you can focus on building your business.

Build Freely with Exemption Certificates from Greendown Shepherd Huts

Now you know what steps are involved in the exemption process – and how we can manage it for you – the next step is getting started. From finding the right shepherd hut for your commercial use case, to dealing with the permissions involved, you need a reliable partner to work with.

At Greendown Shepherd Huts, we make it easy for you to add shepherd huts to your property, managing each stage with our communicative and friendly team. We navigate the regulations and planning exemption process so you don’t have to, letting you get on with your business. To find out more and see if your site qualifies, contact us today.

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