46 French Property News August 2019 http://www.completefrance.com
Swimming pools
Other than small above-ground pools (less than
10m² of the temporary blow-up type), almost all
pools will require permission, whether above-
ground or in-ground. There are also strict rules
about filtration and emptying processes, which
need to be detailed as part of the planning
application process. In some areas, the colour of
the pool liner or surrounding terrace are also
governed by local regulations.
Sheds, greenhouses, polytunnels
In France, these are all considered as
constructions and are controlled by planning
regulations, with some communes allowing none
at all, others perhaps one per property,
sometimes with restrictions on size, and others
where no pre-defined limits or exclusions exist
at all. Always check before building that
beautiful garden shed, as having the local maire
knocking on the door with a demolition order
could be quite upsetting!
It is also important to remember that
constructing any of these will attract additional
taxes – not just for annual property taxes, but
also a one-off tax called taxe d’aménagement,
which is levied after planning has been granted.
A large polytunnel could incur a tax of hundreds
of euros, for example.
Camping and glamping
Irrespective of the size or apparent suitability
of land for camping purposes, permission is
always required. It is sadly very common for
agents to be unfamiliar with planning
regulations, and potential buyers are often told,
for example, that they can set up a site with six
pitches or fewer without permission. That is
not correct – planning is required in every case
and will more often than not be refused if the
land in question is in a rural area. Some local
plans specifically exclude the use of land for
camping purposes. The only difference
between an application for six pitches and one
for seven pitches is the type of application, not
whether permission is actually needed or not.
The size of the land dedicated to camping
use will also affect the process – going over
certain limits will require an impact study. In
addition, any buildings made available to the
public – shower blocks for example – will need
to meet fire safety and disabled access
regulations. Adequate waste disposal facilities
will also be required and approval for an
appropriate system will be required as part of
the planning application.
EXPERT ADVICE
CASE STUDIES
- An application was submitted in a small
town in Brittany to change existing
wooden windows, painted white, with oak-
effect uPVC replacements. The commune
had a PLU in force that prohibited the use
of uPVC finishes and, in addition, anything
other than a limited colour range. In this
case, the owner could fit only replacement
wooden windows painted light grey!
Further, the windows had to have a
horizontal bar at a specified distance from
the top of the pane. The reason for this
was that the property was within 500m of
the village church, and it was felt that
traditional styles and colours should be
retained within those limits.
2. A similar application was made for a
property where an RNU applied, and the
owner was permitted to replace the old
Georgian-style wooden windows with
oak-effect, fully glazed uPVC units. This
illustrates how different regulations can affect
the outcome of an application, even where the
two are for very similar modifications.
3. In the Alps, a project to convert a large
building from commercial use to residential
use required planning consent. Outline
permission was sought and granted, but
when the detailed application was submitted,
the size and number of new doors and
windows were restricted in order to comply
with avalanche-risk regulations.
Permission is always required for campsites,
irrespective of the size or suitabilityThe colour of a pool liner or surrounding
terrace is sometimes governed by plannersGilles_Paire Getty Imagesmonkeybusinessimages Getty Images
In many communes there is no automatic right to extend a propertyPatryssia Getty Images/iStockphoto