Base Camp - finally
Entry posted by Redoctober
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Our Journey North of the Border -
Around August 2015, I started a blog intending to detail our experiences, as we set about securing a plot of land and planning permission ahead of our self build development.
By way of a reminder and introduction, this was the first and only instalment since.
Well this is it, we have finally reached a tipping point. Our retirement plans, which were no more than mere dreams and aspirations some 7 -8 years ago, have now become more focussed following the acceptance of an offer, on a plot of land, North of the Border.
Yes, over the coming months, we are looking to finalise the sale on a plot of land nestled in the rural landscape of the Scottish Borders.
Once secured, we plan to sit on it for a couple of years pending my actual retirement and no doubt the intervening months will provide many anecdotes for this blog.
Anyway, coming from South of the Border, we expected that negotiations over the offer price would be conducted within 24 – 48 hours and by way of a few telephone conversations. Oh no. Ten days after we made our first “marker” offer, we received an 8 page legal document from the solicitors setting out the offer and everything that goes with it. I’m yet to find how much that is all going to cost, so watch this space!
Therefore and somewhat surprisingly, it took us the best part of three months just to agree a price but nonetheless, an agreement has been reached.
Now the hard work begins as the deal could fold at any one of these hurdles –
We need to secure planning permission for our proposed dwelling, arrange for the soil to be tested both for strength and porosity and the utility companies need to be contacted to ensure there are no nasty surprises with regards to connections etc.
We also need to confirm that the plot boundary is confirmed as being that as indicated by the OS map supplied as part of the agreement.
Well that was then – I am now in a position to publish our second instalment, as a result of what is written about below.
Finally, we have arrived at Base Camp –
Base Camp being the plot of land we have finally purchased after many months of legal based delays and a relatively quick and painless planning application, which was granted just recently.
The initial offer went in during May 2015 and it has taken all these months to be formally accepted. The offer was always going to be subject to certain conditions - cost of utilities, condition of ground and planning permission.
The reason for the delays stemmed from the complexities of our Plot being severed from a much wider area of land which had various financial charges against them. Quite why the Vendor hadn’t sorted this out prior to putting the plot to market, remains a mystery but thankfully, the delays have not impacted on our build schedule as we now intend to sit on it until early 2018, which is when we will start to cut the turf so to speak.
So what did we do and what did we experience, on our journey to Base Camp.-
Having had plans drawn up by a relative, learning his trade in a Corporate Architects Practice, we thought that we should have them quality assured prior to submitting them to the Planning Dept.
We decided to visit the NSBRC at Swindon – they were holding one of their “Architects Free Sessions day” – Thought a second opinion on our plans wouldn’t go a miss. Well, it didn’t quite go as we had hoped - when we started hearing comments such as –
“I have never worked with dormers so can’t really comment, as to what type of finish you should go for”
“You should invest in a GSHP and put UFH in the upstairs as well as downstairs” - “But we don’t have the land available to us for a GSHP-“ - “well bore down 60 metres or so, well worth it” Came the reply.
We realised then that we were probably not his target audience so left feeling somewhat disappointed by the whole experience. Nonetheless, it was a day out and an opportunity to visit a very useful resource.
We also contacted local Utility companies and a local Ground Works company to try and ascertain “ball park” figures for a connection to Mains water and Electricity. The water mains is on the over side of a single track road, which runs along side our plot.
Water – the tunnelling under the single track road, in order to join the water mains has been priced up at £1600. - Plus standard water board connections – should come in around £2000.
Electric quotes for connections – from 3 metres to post & to lay 45 m of low voltage main, termination and associated jointing equipment - £2300. This was all done on-line and quite a painless process I thought.
We also had the soil tested for its strength and porosity - £1200. This test was done in our absence and I just wish that I was there for the exercise. Sadly living some 300 miles away, it just wasn’t possible, added to that, we didn’t anticipate such a delay in securing the offer!
The findings stated that we are good for “conventional strip foundations - down to 1.15m, with an allowable bearing pressure of 80Kn per q square metre” - I am hoping for an insulated slab but have not made any enquiries as yet into this possibility.
We also contacted SEPA and I have to say, I found them to be very useful and helpful.
They have agreed in principal for us to connect to a nearby drain, which runs into a local water course. However, we must install a high level pit between the treatment plant and the drain itself.
SEPA have informed us that nearer the time we will have to apply for a Registration certificate in order to allow for this discharge. The fee for that will be £82 for an application.
Planning - the entire process was carried out on line - again a very user friendly procedure. Scottish Borders Council, for their part, was very good - they kept us well informed by way of e-mail and telephone calls. The actual application was always going to be a fairly straight forward one and this proved to be case. No complaints of the process at all.
Rather than load up a number of images I have provided the Planning reference for those of you who may wish to view things in a bit more detail. SBC Planning Portal - 15/01530/FUL.
https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20012/planning_and_building
So all in all, we feel we are in good shape. We have contacted a local landscaper who will “maintain” our plot for us over the coming months, which will be money well spent, as it will also allow us to have a pair of local eyes and ears, whilst I wait for retirement to arrive.
Finally, for now, I would like to add that all of the above and more was achieved through reading magazines and by getting involved in this forum. One simple example would be ensuring our ASHP was shown on our plans at the time of submitting them - thanks Pro Dave and to everyone else, who has taken the trouble to contribute. I for one am very grateful, more knowledgeable and less financially exposed, as a result.
Further updates will be written but they may be few months off, as we will be using the next 12 months or so, to focus in on Builders, contractors and various build methods that are open to us.
Thanks for reading -
PW.
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