Cycle storage and parking guidance

Permitted development for cycle storage 

Class 9I – Commercial buildings 

You can construct a cycle store within the curtilage of a commercial building without the need for planning permission, however, there are some limitations. Planning permission is still required if the planned cycle storage; 

• would be within the curtilage of a listed building. 

• would be in a conservation area AND within the front curtilage of a commercial building. 

• Would obstruct clear sight of a road or footpath by a driver entering or leaving the curtilage of the commercial building. 

• Would obstruct light to another building.  

Under this class there is no restriction on the dimensions of any planned cycle storage as long as it does not infringe on the limitations noted above. This allows for the installation of larger secure cycle storage facilities such as walk-in two-tier cycle storage.  

Definitions 

Curtilage – The area immediately surrounding a building, including any closely associated building or structures. It can often be defined as the enclosed space immediately surrounding a building such as a garden or yard. In some cases, the curtilage may not be easily defined and may need to be assessed. 

Front curtilage – This refers to the part of the commercial building's curtilage located in front of the wall which forms the main front of the commercial building. This would typically be the public entrance or shop front, often looking out to a main road.  

Commercial building – A building used for any purpose within class 4, 5 or 6 of the schedule of Use Classes Order. These classes cover various commercial uses. 

Class 9J – Residential buildings containing one or more flats 

You can construct cycle store within the rear curtilage of a tenement (defined as a building containing one or more flats) without planning permission but there are some limitations. 

• Multiple Buildings: You cannot construct more than one building under this class. 

• Listed Buildings or World Heritage Sites: If the cycle store would be situated within the curtilage of a listed building or world heritage site planning permission would be required. 

• Light Obstruction: Development is not allowed if the resulting building would obstruct light to another building. 

Definitions 

• Rear Curtilage of a Tenement: Refers to the land that belongs to two or more flats within the tenement and is located adjacent to the rear elevation of the tenement. 

• Rear Elevation: This term represents the side of the tenement opposite to its main or principal elevation. 

• Tenement: Describes a building containing one or more flats. 

In summary, you can construct a building within the rear curtilage of a tenement in Scotland for bicycle storage without planning permission, as long as you adhere to the specified limitations and understand the definitions provided above. 

Class 9k – public roads 

The provision of cycle storage within the boundaries of a public road is permitted development with the following limitations. 

• The cycle store cannot exceed 1.5 metres hight, 2.5 metres depth, 5 metres width. 

• The cycle store cannot block light to another building. 

As the relevant landowner, it is unlikely that anyone other than the local authority, would be seeking to install cycle storage on a public road. Although planning permission is not required, other permissions such as traffic regulation orders may be required, and we would recommend contacting the relevant roads department within the local authority.  

Permitted development rights for a dwellinghouse 

As well as the permitted development rights specific to cycle storage there are other more general permitted development rights that apply to a private dwellinghouse which can include the installation of cycle storage. A dwellinghouse is simply a house which is lived in and not used for business purposes to any significant amount. Most sheds, greenhouses and other similar buildings are covered by these rules, including cycle storage.  

If the cycle store is located at the back of the house, it must meet the following conditions. 

• It is not used as a separate home to live in. 

• It does not take up more than half of the grounds behind the house. 

• It is not more than 4 metres at the highest point. 

• Any part that is a metre or less from the boundary is no higher than 2.5 metres. 

• The eaves, where the wall meets the roof, is no higher than 3 metres. 

• If the land is in a conservation area or in the grounds of a listed building the cycle store must have a footprint of less than 4 square metres. 

If it is located at the front of the building it must also adhere to the following conditions 

• It must not be higher than 1.5 metres, wider than 2.5 metres, deeper than 1.2 metres. 

• It must be the only building on the grounds covered by these permitted development rules. 

• It cannot block sight of a road or footpath for drivers entering or leaving. 

• It cannot block light to another building. 

• It cannot be on the grounds of a world heritage site. 

If you have determined that your project is covered by the permitted development rules outlined above you can continue without planning permission. If you are unsure, we would recommend contacting your planning authority to confirm and ask for a letter of comfort that the planned works are permitted development. 

Contacting planning authority regarding permitted development 

• Identify the local planning department. 

• Summary of project: provide an outline of your planned project including location purpose and the design of the planned storage. 

• Permitted development class: state which class described above your project falls under. 

• Additional information – Any extra information you can provide at this stage will be helpful, including: site plans showing the intended location of the storage as well as relevant ownership boundaries, design plans of the storage with dimensions and images of similar facilities.