Using shipping containers as office

Using shipping containers as office

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Discussion

rpguk

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

291 months

Thursday 31st July 2003
quotequote all
Just trying to work out the viability of venture at the moment and have come to office space.

Now an idea I had was to get an old 40' shipping container and use that as an office (obviously tarting it up first) and paying some nice farmer to let us stick it in his field.

Now I have pretty much no idea about planning regulations but would this be OK without planning permission, as the container wouldn't be a fixed building? How about if it was hooked up for mains and phone, would it be then classified as a fixed building?

Any help appreciated.

Richard.

eric mc

122,855 posts

272 months

Thursday 31st July 2003
quotequote all
I am sure use of a container for any sort of business activity (storage, office etc) would require clearance from the local authorities. Not only that, you could very well end up having to pay Business Rates on the site. If the site already has planning permission for an office or shed, then additional approval may not be required.

hughjayteens

2,029 posts

275 months

Thursday 31st July 2003
quotequote all
I saw someone doing that in east london - it was in the Evening Standard property section a few months ago - they had about 8 in 4 high towers.

Will see if I can find the article somewhere.

ultimapaul

3,942 posts

271 months

Thursday 31st July 2003
quotequote all
rpguk said:
Just trying to work out the viability of venture at the moment and have come to office space.

Now an idea I had was to get an old 40' shipping container and use that as an office (obviously tarting it up first) and paying some nice farmer to let us stick it in his field.

Now I have pretty much no idea about planning regulations but would this be OK without planning permission, as the container wouldn't be a fixed building? How about if it was hooked up for mains and phone, would it be then classified as a fixed building?

Any help appreciated.

Richard.


A good idea, but, isn't a port-a-cabin not very close to being just that?

chrisgr31

13,741 posts

262 months

Friday 1st August 2003
quotequote all
If the container is being used as an office it will need planning consent. Simple no further discussion!

However if you were to plank a c ontainer down somewhere then it may take the planning authority some time to find it, serve the appropriate notices on you etc. When they do you can always move it elsewhere!