WHAT IS THE 1000 HUTS INITIATIVE?
Reforesting Scotland’s campaign for A Thousand Huts believes that a culture of recreational hut use could benefit people in Scotland greatly. Hut life brings people closer to nature. It cultivates practical skills in low carbon living, as well as fostering a spirit of community and co-operation. The physical and mental health benefits are without doubt, especially in these days of high levels of obesity and anxiety in children and teenagers. Ultimately, hutting helps grow a sense of empowerment and dignity through the creation of a beautiful, simple, low-impact hut.
Since 2010 the campaign has successfully achieved:
- New planning policy supporting low impact huts for recreational use
- New building regulations supporting safe, sustainable hut construction
- A 40-page guide to huts and planning permission
- A 70-page technical guide to good practice in hut construction• A robust Voluntary Code of Good Conduct between hutters and landowners to help create fair leases and formal agreements protecting the rights of both parties.
- Planning permission for a Pilot Hut Site of 12 huts on public forest land, plus the creation and development of Carnock Hutters Group to take the site forward
- 8 major hutting events, each for up to 250 people, plus countless smaller events, seminars and workshops for specialist groups such as planners, landowners and prospective hutters
- Around 10,000 supporters
ABOUT REFORESTING SCOTLAND
Reforesting Scotland has campaigned for 25 years for a sustainable forest culture in Scotland. As well as running a range of projects, Reforesting Scotland produces a well-loved journal and hosts a popular Annual Gathering. The Thousand Huts campaign is one of Reforesting Scotland’s projects. It was set up in 2011 to revive the hut movement in Scotland. RS believes hut life is good for physical and mental wellbeing, and for community life. It also is an opportunity for adults and children to develop a deeper connectedness to the natural environment and to learn skills for a more ecologically sustainable life.
huts@reforestingscotland.org | reforestingscotland.org
DISCLAIMER
Reforesting Scotland’s Thousand Huts campaign has compiled this document as guidance on good practice only. It is not an authoritative statement of the law or of the policy and practice of the building standards system at the local, national or case level. It simply sets out what our contributors believe to be good practice for hut builders in complying with the Scottish Government’s new regulatory framework for huts. Anyone considering undertaking a hut development should seek their own legal, planning and building regulations advice. We do not give legal advice.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR FUNDERS
Forestry Commission Scotland, Community Foundation Scotland, Eurban, North Woods Design, Quercus Rural Building Design and two private trusts who have asked to remain anonymous.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The parts of this website drawn from the Good Practice Guide to Hut Construction were authored by Peter Caunt (Quercus Rural Building Design) and Bernard Planterose (North Woods Design) on behalf of the Reforesting Scotland (RS) Thousand Huts Campaign, and with support from the RS campaign team (Karen Grant, Donald McPhillimy and Ninian Stuart). Structural input came from Lesley Donald of David Narro Associates. The Scottish Government Building Standards Division has been consulted on this aspect of the Guide and has had input into various drafts to ensure that the document best supports hut builders to comply with the new legislation.