Thinking of buying a shepherd hut for your garden, a glamping site, or even full-time living? One of the most common questions we get at Pumphrey & Weston Ltd is whether you’ll need planning permission for a shepherd hut in Cornwall.

Do Shepherd Huts Need Planning Permission?

It depends on how you plan to use it.

  • Temporary, mobile use (e.g. occasional guest stays, seasonal glamping) often doesn’t need permission.

  • Permanent residential or business use (e.g. living in it year-round, or using it as a holiday let) is more likely to need consent.

Cornwall Council—and most other planning authorities—will assess whether your hut is:

  • Permanently connected to services (water, electricity, drainage)

  • Fixed in place vs. mobile on wheels

  • Used as someone’s primary residence

When You’re Less Likely to Need Permission:

  • The hut is moveable (on wheels)

  • It’s placed in a garden or field for personal use

  • There are no permanent foundations or service connections

When You’re More Likely to Need Permission:

  • It’s used as a rental unit or Airbnb

  • It’s someone’s main home

  • You’ve added decking, plumbing, and electrics

  • The land has restrictions (AONB, listed buildings, farmland, etc.)

Our Advice

Always contact your local planning authority first—especially if you’re running a glamping business, installing the hut in agricultural land, or planning full-time use. Some customers choose to work with a planning consultant if in doubt.

At Pumphrey & Weston Ltd, we’re happy to help with guidance, layout drawings, and advice based on how you plan to use your shepherd hut.