Do Temporary Aircraft Hangars Need Planning Permission?

Whether organising an event such as an air show or when a very specific type of workshop or storage space is required, aircraft hangars are available that can be quickly installed by experts, have minimal impact on the ground they are placed on and can be easily dismantled once it is no longer needed.

One question that is often asked when it comes to temporary structures is whether they require planning permission or whether they qualify as a permitted development according to UK planning laws.

The answer can be somewhat complex, and there are cases where a temporary building can receive planning permission or qualify for permitted development rights when a permanent structure of the same type cannot.

What Makes A Building Temporary In The Eyes Of The Law?

The rules can vary depending on individual circumstances and it is essential to get in touch with your local planning authority to get their opinion on any construction work, temporary or permanent. 

It is much cheaper to ask for permission than forgiveness, especially when the latter takes the form of penalties and remedial work.

A temporary building, for the purposes of planning regulations, is any building that is used for 28 days or fewer, although this is reduced to 14 days if the planned use is a market or buildings required for a motor racing event such as temporary garages.

An air show might have some temporary market stalls as part of the attraction, but for the most part will qualify under the 28-day temporary allowance.

This is typically a good starting point for determining whether planning permission is required; if your event or storage needs are for more than four weeks, you are more than likely going to need to apply.

When Do You Typically Qualify For Permitted Development Rights?

The limits of permitted development are based on location, function and purpose, which is why the LPA is typically the final authority to check. Permitted development for a warehouse is different to that of a shop, a school building or an aeroplane workshop.

However, there are some exceptions to this. If your building is less than four metres high and 200 cubic metres in total volume (roughly 7m x 7m x 4m if the hangar is square-shaped), it may be able to qualify, but few aeroplanes would be small enough.

A permitted hangar, for example, would not be large enough to completely house the most successful aircraft ever made, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, so it is far more likely than not that it would require planning permission.

What Other Factors Would Make Planning Permission Necessary?

As well as this, if the new building is more than a quarter of the volume of the existing buildings on the site, takes up more than a quarter of the space on the site or makes a material appearance to the outdoor appearance of your building, planning permission may be necessary regardless of volume.

Similarly, if the new hangar is within five metres of the boundaries of the site, it could require planning permission to ensure that it does not affect any neighbours.