A fundamental question when considering whether to invest in a shipping container is; “Do you need planning permission for a shipping container?” As with many things in life, caution is always the best policy! In light of this, we always advise you contact your local council regarding shipping container planning permission. There is no blanket ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer to this question, as permissions tend to vary between local authorities. But because cargo containers are considered temporary structures, in most cases you do not have to apply for planning permission.

If you intend to site a converted container as a permanent structure, councils will often ask you to carry out aesthetic measures. For instance, if you are siting your container in a rural area, here are some suggestions. You may want to consider painting the container green, so that it blends in with it’s surroundings. Or, perhaps timber cladding the container would achieve a more rustic look (similar to the image above).