Relaxing bike sheds rules

The cycling campaign group SPOKES reminded us that The Scottish Government is considering relaxation of the rules relating to planning permission for bike storage sheds.

This can cost as much as £200 as well as the difficulties associated with applying for planning permission.

But SPOKES also tell us that these proposals will also need some 'tweaking'.

They say: "The government is consulting on whether to grant Permitted Development Rights (PDR) for bike sheds or containers in front gardens, provided they are under a certain size (and perhaps meet some other criteria such as colour).

"At present, planning permission is required for any such 'ancillary building' in a front garden – indeed it is arguable that a small dog kennel or even a hedgehog house needs planning permission!"

It is the dimensions which trouble SPOKES most. The permiitted development exception would only cover sheds up to a maximum of 1.2m height, 2.0m width, 1.0m depth in conservation areas (1.5m depth elsewhere).

SPOKES say these dimensions would be more reasonable: 1.5m height, 2.5m width, 1.2m depth, or possibly greater depth in non-conservation areas.

This would not make a big difference visually but would make all the difference in practical terms. And this is in line with the dimensions which The City of Edinburgh Council has used for years.

Cllr Claire Miller, transport spokesperson for the Greens, said: “After many years of red tape, it’s a relief to finally get the rules changed and I’m very pleased that it’ll be easy and free of charge to put a bike store in your garden.

"SPOKES members have kept up the pressure and it has paid off with this change to the regulations. It has to be easy, cheap and convenient for people to travel by bike, and this change means many more people will be able to securely park their bikes at home.”

SPOKES concluded: "We do appreciate that these dimensions are unfortunately insufficient to fully cater for some cargo bikes, adapted bikes, trailers etc, all of which are rapidly increasing in use.

"Nonetheless for front gardens there will inevitably be a compromise with conservation requirements.

"Of course, even assuming that PDR is, hopefully, granted for front garden sheds of the size we recommend, this does not preclude householders seeking planning permission for larger sizes."