storing bicycles in front yard

[msmoppet]

Hello. We're new to the area (from o/s) and would love to store our bicycles in our front yard rather than out the back. I have seen this a lot in other London areas but not at all in ED. Obviously theft is probably the main reason but I just wondered why no one at all does this and if there are any keen cyclists that can recommend best locks, covers for bikes to conceal them etc. We don't have a storage shed (nor will be able to put one in) that many seem to have but the yard is protected to some extent by a tall hedge. Thanks in advance.

[cookie]

I park my bike in my front yard, but have invested in a wall/floor anchor and locks that are "sold secure" gold standard.

This link gives a few locks to choose from http://thebestbikelock.com/best-bike-lock/sold-secure-gold-bike-locks/ . I use Abus Granit wall anchor http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-abus-wba100-ground-anchor-09-35287/ and Abus Granit U lock plus a chain through the front wheel and frame as I've had unsecured wheels stolen in the past. I also cover the bike with a bog standard cycle cover from Evans.

It can all add up to nearly ?200 for good quality locks and anchors, but I like my bike and want to keep it, so thought it worth investing.

[ED Light]

The council offer free floor anchors generally for motorbikes.

Should do the trick for bikes. Contact Cllr James Barber

[cosmonaut]

I kept a bike in the front yard for a few years, locked to itself and concealed by a large hedge. I later started parking it along the side of the house (easier to lean against a wall than a bush and fewer spider webs).

It was a pre-owned, low-value bike I got for free. If it had higher value I'd follow cookie's recommendation or find a way to store it indoors.

I talk of it in the past tense because I've since upgraded to a folding bike that sleeps curled up all safe and dry in the hallway.

Edit: wish I'd known about the free motorcycle anchors back then - that's a fantastic tip!

[ianr]

The council is charged ?600 for provision and installation of a ground anchor.

[worldwiser]

I see that some people have storage sheds for bikes out front which I would like to do myself. But apparently you have to put in planning permission for any permanent structure forward of your front elevation. Which is nuts. You can have 3 eyesores in the form of council wheeliebins but not a small shed.

[edhistory]

Ian has information that these are not free, but cost ?600 each.

ED Light Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The council offer free floor anchors generally for

> motorbikes.

> Should do the trick for bikes. Contact Cllr James

> Barber

[rendelharris]

If your bikes are any good at all I'd seriously say keep 'em in the back garden, it's worth the extra hassle. I used to lock a lovely bike outside my digs in Cambridge with the best Citadel lock available at the time (this is many years ago) - came out one morning to find the locked parts (frame and wheels) intact but the Shimano 600 brakes, derailleurs, gear levers and my Cinelli handlebars removed! Being behind a big hedge will just mean they have cover to work on it when you're out - if you have an alternative, use it! Ride safe.

[intexasatthe moment]

Indoors .If outside store locked to something secure in a generic or custum made shed .

[Sally Eva]

You could see if a bike hangar is being installed in your vicinity and apply for one. The consultation is closed but the map is here https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/new-cycle-hangars-coming/

Ask your councillor/community council or email the council direct to see where they are going and if there are any space

[Willard]

How can a bike shed be classed as a permanent structure? Surely if you moved house you could just dismantle it and take it with you. I would be surprised if anyone with one had planning permission. What about the people who have built wooden bin caddies? Surely these are more permanent in that they are anchored to the ground or wall? I doubt they have or need premission.

worldwiser Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I see that some people have storage sheds for

> bikes out front which I would like to do myself.

> But apparently you have to put in planning

> permission for any permanent structure forward of

> your front elevation. Which is nuts. You can have

> 3 eyesores in the form of council wheeliebins but

> not a small shed.

[rendelharris]

worldwiser Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I see that some people have storage sheds for

> bikes out front which I would like to do myself.

> But apparently you have to put in planning

> permission for any permanent structure forward of

> your front elevation. Which is nuts. You can have

> 3 eyesores in the form of council wheeliebins but

> not a small shed.

The regulations governing this are utterly absurd: they apparently exist to avoid cycle storage "spoiling the streetscape." Personally I'd have thought great lines of SUVs spoil the streetscape rather more than small discreet sheds behind hedges. In fact, if you have a large enough garden, you don't need planning permission to tear the lot up, concrete over it and park a stretch Humvee in it, but put a 6x3 storage shed behind a hedge and you can be told to tear it down! However, the prevalence of front garden bike sheds in Southwark would seem to argue that the planning department take a lenient view - might be worth enquiring as to whether they ever bother to pursue anyone for not having permission for a shed?

[Loz]

Willard Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> How can a bike shed be classed as a permanent

> structure?

The rules don't use the word 'permanent' - they say any 'building or enclosure'.

[Loz]

rendelharris Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> In fact, if you have a large enough garden, you don't need planning permission to tear

> the lot up, concrete over it and park a stretch Humvee in it

If it is the front garden, then you almost certainly do need planning permission to do that.

[rendelharris]

"You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing which allows water to drain through, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.

If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area."

www.planningportal.co.uk

I retract saying "concrete over" - asphalt, pave or gravel over. The general point about uglification of the streetscape stands!

[msmoppet]

Thanks everyone for your comments. All have been helpful although still pondering best solution. Thank you!

[msmoppet]

Thank you so much to everyone who has posted in this thread, all your comments were very helpful.

[James Barber]

I will have formal planning department explanation of what and when or nothing is required early next week.

[green bean]

Any update re: planning department explanation? Watching this thread with interest...

[James Barber]

Hi green bean,

No, I will chase. Apologies for the delay. Promise by head of planning not delivered.

[rollflick]

A very rough summary is that any structure which isn't there only temporarily needs planning permission.

There are certain 'permitted development rights' that mean certain forms of development don't need permission. The detail is set out in the rather byzantine General Permitted Development Regulations. Class E covers things like sheds in your back garden but not structures between the front of your home and the street:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/made

Southwark Council could in the forthcoming New Southwark Plan could approve a 'Local Development Order' (LDO) in order to provide a borough wide exception for specified types of development. While Southwark Cyclists asked them to approve an LDO for cycle stores in front gardens, its suggestions appear to have been ignored in the most recent draft.

Hope that helps!

[mancity68]

James, very keen to know if you managed to ascertain formal Council position on front garden bike sheds. They seem to be increasingly prevalent and it seems hard to imagine that every householder applied for planning permission. I can't think I've ever seen one on the register.

So, has the Council ever required removal if an 'unapproved' bike shed in a front garden? Is it planning to? Can we assume the custom and practice is now that these are generally ok?!

Thanks

[micromacromonkey]

I can confirm that I did not apply for any sort of planning for mine (it's a Trimetals Bicycle Store). The Southwark building control team have done a few site visits for two separate extensions while it's been there and never asked me about it. (Extensions of the house, not the bike shed obv.)

[alice]

No planning permission needed.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

No planning permission needed by anyone on my road and a fair few of us have bike sheds!