Planning Permission
Shipping container planning permission in Washington, UK. Understand Sunderland City Council rules for placement, usage, and when permission is needed.
Shipping Containers in Leeds: Your Washington Planning Guide
Shipping containers are a great option for storage, temporary shops, or facilities on a work site. If you plan to put a container in Washington, you need to know the local rules. Sunderland City Council controls the area and has rules about when you need permission. This article tells you what you should know before you put a container on your property or business site.
Do You Need Planning Permission in Washington?
You might need planning permission in Washington if your shipping container:
- Is used for business or as a home
- Stays in place for more than 28 days
- Can be seen from a public road or is in a front garden
- Is near a historic building or in a protected area
- Has electricity, water, or drainage connected
You might not need permission if your container is in a private back garden or on a building site for short-term storage. But, it’s a good idea to check with Sunderland City Council before you install it to make sure you follow all the rules.
Get in Touch with Sunderland City Council
If you need advice, want to confirm something, or want to apply for planning permission, contact the planning team at Sunderland City Council:
- Phone: 0191 520 5550 (Check if this is the direct planning line)
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Website: sunderland.gov.uk
The planning department can look at what you want to do and where you want to put the container. They can help you with the right steps to take. Getting advice before you apply is a good idea for business or long-term uses.
Things to Think About for Shipping Containers in Washington
1. Putting Containers on Residential Land
If you put containers in front gardens or where people can see them, you usually need permission. But, if you use a container in a back garden for your own storage and it doesn’t have services connected, you might not need permission.
2. Using Containers for Business
If you use a container as a business, like a workshop, café, or office, you need planning permission. The council will check how it affects traffic, how easy it is to get to, and how it affects the area.
3. Protected Areas and Historic Sites
If your property is near a historic building or in a protected area, you will need permission no matter how you use the container or how long it stays there.
4. Changes to the Container and Utilities
If you connect a container to electricity or water, or put it on a permanent base, it becomes a permanent structure. In these cases, you always need planning permission.
How to Apply for Planning Permission in Washington
You can apply for planning permission through the Planning Portal or on Sunderland City Council’s website. Your application should include:
- A map of the site
- Photos or drawings of the container
- An explanation of how you will use it and for how long
- Details about access, nearby buildings, and services (if needed)
Most applications take about 8 weeks to review. Think about getting advice before you apply to make the process easier, especially for business or long-term uses.
Common Questions About Shipping Containers in Washington
Can I put a container in my garden without planning permission?
Maybe, if people can’t see it from the street, you use it for your own storage, and it’s only there for less than 28 days. If it’s there longer or people can see it, you usually need permission from the council.
What if I want to use the container for a business?
You always need planning permission for business uses in Washington. The council will look at your plans based on the location, how customers will get there, and local rules.
Do temporary containers on construction sites need permission?
Usually not, if the container is taken away when the building is done. But, if the container is there for a long time or has services connected, you might still need planning permission.
How can I avoid planning problems with my container?
Talk to the council early, especially if you want to put it there for a long time or where people can see it. Give them detailed plans and think about getting advice before you apply to find and fix any problems early.
Need a Shipping Container in Washington?
At Shipping Containers of Leeds, we sell good quality new and used containers all over Washington and Tyne and Wear. Whether you need secure storage or a special container conversion, we can help.
New and used quality shipping containers
We have new and used shipping containers at our Leeds depot, so you have choices. We want to help the people of Tyne and Wear and nearby areas get the containers they need at the best price with fast delivery.
Use our quote form or call our container team on 0330 0130 636
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