Finding the plot
Entry posted by divorcingjack
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Six years ago, we had a casual conversation with an architect friend about the fact that we'd like to build our own home. Taking the resulting vague, non-committal "hmmmmm" as rampant, unbridled enthusiasm, we started looking for plots. First thought - our very own back garden. It was massive, a pain in the arse to garden, and it would be free!
Back garden plot Pros:
- Free
-Less gardening
Back Garden Plot Cons:
- On a notorious flood plain
- Not actually where we wanted to live
On balance, we binned that idea. But not before paying the first of many fees to the local council to be denied planning permission. It was at this point that my out-of-control addiction to giving money away to the local council (or anyone, actually) began.
Second up was a plot in an outlying village, about 2 miles from the place we actually wanted to live (but couldn't afford). Lovely plot. (someone else's front garden, giving them the classic double whammy of less gardening AND extra money to spend during the leisure time they'd have gained by not gardening)
Local village plot Pros:
- Nice road in semi-posh village
- Little school
- Pub
- Services on site
- South facing
Local village plot Cons:
- A LOT of trees - some with TPO's
- Not free
- Still not where we REALLY wanted to live
- Quite small
This was a tough one. We knew that we'd never get a plot in the dream location, but was it a compromise too far? Whilst we were swithering about plot 2, an unbelievable opportunity came up, right in the centre of our dream location.
Dream plot Pros:
- Where we REALLY wanted to live
Dream plot Cons:
- Lots
- Who cares?
- No money for the rest of time
Needless to say, we went for it. So, that's how we ended up with an inaccessible plot, complete with a ransom strip owned by someone else, surrounded by a million overlooking flats in the centre of the medieval town.
Next up - how we got access to the plot (hint: expensively) and fulfilled my need to give away some more money to the council.
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