D & G Woodlands - Tool Store and Rest Room
Client: D&G Woodland
Location: Bennel Wood, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway
Approval Type: Prior Notification – Forestry-Related Building Works
Outcome: Prior Approval Not Required
Planning Authority: Dumfries and Galloway Council
Date Approved: November 2024
Background
Bennel Wood is a working forestry site set 5.5km southeast of Dalbeattie, within the Solway Coast Regional Scenic Area. The client, D&G Woodland, sought to install a dual-purpose welfare and storage unit to support operations on-site. With forestry workers often spending extended hours in remote areas, providing a secure, on-site facility was essential for both productivity and wellbeing.
The Proposal
The application proposed placing a 12-metre recycled shipping container within the woodland. Half of the structure would be dedicated to tool and equipment storage, while the other half would serve as a welfare area for staff. Designed for functionality and minimal visual impact, the unit was to be painted British Racing Green and finished with corrugated steel and a flat black roof—ensuring it blended into the forest setting. The container’s siting met all required criteria under Class 22 of the General Permitted Development (Scotland) Order 1992, including its distance from public roads and the absence of any sensitive land designations within the immediate vicinity.
Our Approach
Greenfinch managed the application process from initial assessment to submission, identifying that the development fell within permitted rights for forestry operations. We ensured the application clearly demonstrated compliance with planning policy and addressed siting, appearance, access, and functionality. A key consideration was confirming there were no environmental or archaeological constraints, and that the structure would not adversely affect the scenic qualities of the area. Through effective site appraisal and careful design choices, we presented a robust case that the development was in line with both national and local policy.
The Outcome
The application was swiftly processed with no objections or consultations required. Dumfries and Galloway Council concluded that the proposal did not require prior approval, confirming that the design and location were appropriate and unobtrusive. The project was therefore able to proceed without further planning delay.
Key Successes
Efficient Approval: Full support from the planning authority without the need for formal prior approval.
Policy-Aligned Design: A solution that met operational needs while respecting the site’s rural and scenic setting.
Minimal Environmental Impact: Use of recycled materials and sympathetic colouring ensured the structure blended with its natural surroundings.
This project highlights how even modest forestry developments benefit from a well-considered planning approach. By navigating the permitted development process efficiently and aligning the proposal with local expectations, we helped our client deliver practical infrastructure while preserving the integrity of a sensitive landscape
