Chicken Run - Planning Permission

Money Mags

Hi, I'm preparing to build my chicken run. I was just checking online the max height the roof could be to avoid requiring planing permission. However, once I looked into it I found that the laws seem to state that I'm only exempt if the structure is not used for (human inhabitants, pigs, poultry, ponies, pigeon or horses).

I emailed the council and they replied within the hour (very impressed) with below:

I have attached a copy of Class 3 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended.
Condition and limitation no. 6 clearly states:
The structure shall not be used for human habitation or for the keeping of pigs, poultry, pigeons, ponies or horses, or for any other purpose other than a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house as such.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

So looks like I need to get planning permission to avoid some neighbour, current or new, complaining and it being discovered no permission was applied for.

Money Mags

I got further, quite staggering feedback regarding permission for a chicken run.......see below:

unfortunately, the process would involve a full planning application.

Please see attached link for application form.  You would need to engage the services of an architect, erect a site notice and publish a newspaper notice.  The process would be exactly the same if you were building a house or extension etc..

Ms Doubtfire1

and if you make it non-permanent?

pilly

An architect for a chicken run, I've heard it all now.

Ms Doubtfire1

maybe they lay golden eggs?:D

Money Mags

Hi - the wording covers non permanent, see below 'placing'. So you buy one of those ready made coops with attached run and 'place' it in you garden with some chickens, you need planning permission. Crazy.
I spoke with the council on the phone who explained that people aren't aware of it and never mentioned by those who sell garden rooms etc.

Class 3
The construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any tent, awning, shade or other object, greenhouse, garage, store, shed or other similar structure

1. No such structure shall be constructed, erected or placed forward of the front wall of a house.
2. The total area of such structures constructed, erected or placed within the curtilage of a house shall not, taken together with any other such structures previously constructed, erected or placed within the said curtilage, exceed 25 square metres.
3. The construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any such structure shall not reduce the amount of private open space reserved exclusively for the use of the occupants of the house to the rear or to the side of the house to less than 25 square metres.
4. The external finishes of any garage or other structure constructed, erected or placed to the side of a house, and the roof covering where any such structure has a tiled or slated roof, shall conform with those of the house.
5. The height of any such structure shall not exceed, in the case of a building with a tiled or slated pitched roof, 4 metres or, in any other case, 3 metres.

     6. The structure shall not be used for human habitation or for the keeping of pigs, poultry, pigeons,        ponies or horses, or for any other purpose other than a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house as such.

pilly

Are you genuinely worried about neighbours complaining though? I can't see that happening tbf.

Ms Doubtfire1

so you need planning permission for a tent???? ROFL. typical Ireland.
However the keyword is curtilage. Place a fence through your land, than it's not in the curtilage. Case closed...;-)

Money Mags

Current neighbours would prob be cool and we'd chat to them about the plan to get chickens first. You just never know who might move in.

Money Mags

Ya strange laws indeed. I need planning permission for a little chicken run, yet I can plant as many 100 foot Leylandii trees as I want and block out all the light in my neighbourhood and no problem
I could also build the exact same structure, but rather then house some quiet little hens, house some dogs, no probs.

pilly

Money Mags wrote: »

Hi - the wording covers non permanent, see below 'placing'. So you buy one of those ready made coops with attached run and 'place' it in you garden with some chickens, you need planning permission. Crazy.
I spoke with the council on the phone who explained that people aren't aware of it and never mentioned by those who sell garden rooms etc.

Class 3
The construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any tent, awning, shade or other object, greenhouse, garage, store, shed or other similar structure

1. No such structure shall be constructed, erected or placed forward of the front wall of a house.
2. The total area of such structures constructed, erected or placed within the curtilage of a house shall not, taken together with any other such structures previously constructed, erected or placed within the said curtilage, exceed 25 square metres.
3. The construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any such structure shall not reduce the amount of private open space reserved exclusively for the use of the occupants of the house to the rear or to the side of the house to less than 25 square metres.
4. The external finishes of any garage or other structure constructed, erected or placed to the side of a house, and the roof covering where any such structure has a tiled or slated roof, shall conform with those of the house.
5. The height of any such structure shall not exceed, in the case of a building with a tiled or slated pitched roof, 4 metres or, in any other case, 3 metres.

6. The structure shall not be used for human habitation or for the keeping of pigs, poultry, pigeons, ponies or horses, or for any other purpose other than a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house as such.

Tbf the guys that installed my garden room did tell me that it couldn't be lived in. But I didn't tell the neighbours that.

Lumen

I wonder whether "roof" is a trigger-word for planners.

What is a roof? Well, most definitions use the a derivative of the word "cover", and the purpose of a roof is to keep out the elements. A mesh top is therefore not a roof since it neither covers nor keeps out the elements.

A run with no roof is just a fence, and fences may be up to 2m at the rear of a property.

But then you have the coop. It seems that even the smallest of cages might require planning permission, if used for the keeping of poultry, whereas an identical structure used for rabbits would not. And a shed only requires planning if used for keeping poultry, but not for lawnmowers. So it's all about the use.

Perhaps you should get this thread moved to the Construction and Planning forum.

aonb

How many hens are you planning to have? for the usual 4-6 hens, a little coop about 4ft x 3ft say, with a run around it, all constructed in a day - no planning permission required - i.e its not a structure. All temporary and removable. Unless you are having a cockeral, neighbours would have no problem about the clucking of a few hens. Just make sure to keep it non-smelly, and drop your neighbours a half dozen eggs every few months, and all should be well.

Money Mags

I'm planning on having just four chickens. But I spoke with the council. Size is not a factor if it is going to house poultry. It can be the size of a shoe box and because it will house poultry you need planning permission. They said themselves it's hard to believe but it is very black and white. They said you can go ahead and do it without permission but if they received any complaint it would be investigated and quickly discovered no permission had been sought or received. You then have to look at a retention order and paying triple the fees. We are going to chat our next door neighbours, sides and back, and then crack on. (pun very much intended). Then just hope that some neighbours in the wider area don't spot them in our garden and make a fuss.

Lumen

Money Mags wrote: »

Then just hope that some neighbours in the wider area don't spot them in our garden and make a fuss.

I used to live in Clonsilla, which not so long ago used to be "all fields" as they say.

One of the old houses on the corner had chickens and at least one rooster. I could hear it when I walked to the shops. This would be a medium-density housing estate area. I imagine they had them going way back.

So I'd say if you can get the immediate neighbours onside you'll have no issue. The free eggs ought to help. I'm now up to 4 a day and I'm struggling to eat them all. I have a great ice cream recipe which uses loads. :pac:

I wonder what the deal is with enforcement, long-term? Like, if you have it X years they cannot enforce despite it having no planning?

ganmo

The planning premission would be basically to change the area of the coop from residential to agri