Olly P

Yes its usually windy and rainy up here ! The site is pretty exposed too so we are going to have to brace ourselves for the bad winter weather but hopefully the views and sun in the summer will outweigh it. We are very lucky to have the plot with now secured OPP. It was a battle and the neighbours weren't and probably still won't be happy but Im sure we will sort things out overtime. Maybe I can grow some marrows for them!

Yes thats the most tempting part for us as to get the build on its way so quickly, but in the same breath we are not in a huge rush. Still 50/50 in my mind between B&B and TF! Could you post any pics of your build so far?

Was that a full height 2 story or dormer bungalow?

We finally have our decision notice, Outline PP granted for a single storey or 1.5 storey dormer bungalow. The plot is suitable for a good size house, with a 3 acre field and as we are wanting to build a home that we will live in for the rest of our lives we are looking at a L Shaped 1.5 storey 4/5 bedroom dormer bungalow circa 250sq metres plus a large detached double garage with upstairs gym/ storage. We have no drawings yet but are currently in talks with a local architect and we are getting quotes for surveys etc. We have some fairly standard conditions to follow and we will be looking to submit the reserved matters in the next few months hoping to make a start spring next year or sooner if possible. Regarding the garage, I know what I would like and I would build that using traditional block method. But the bungalow we only have some ideas so far and I'm completely torn between timber frame and block methods. Surely the advantage of a timber frame isn't as advantageous in terms of speed/cost when building a bungalow as the roof structure is entirely timber anyway? Could anyone with any experience in Dormer bungalow construction be it timber frame or masonry give me their thoughts? And finally any inspirational self build dormer bungalows especially L shaped design photos would be fantastic!

So, now that we've nearly got our heads around the fact that we have Outline Planning Approved (!) we are now wondering how to approach the next stage. We would love to make a start on the build next year and we think that although we don't want to rush the design/full planning stage we do want to press on incase anything changes in regards to Planning Policy , LPA planning staff etc. You never know even something like Brexit could put a spanner in the works. We have been recommended an Architect however he works in Manchester (around 2 hour drive from us). Do you think that this is a problem and to maybe find a local architect instead? In regards to CIL, VAT and other legal matters do I need to do anything in-between Outline Planning and Full Planning to keep everything in order and still able to claim VAT & CIL exemption?

The application was specifically Upto two self build dwellings and it's stated that it was the LPA's decision what would be suitable on our site : either one or two . An unusual and slightly complicated way of applying but that was all the planning consultants work.

Yes most definitely pub tonight with the wife to be. We literally can't believe it! Thanks all for the advice given on here.

Yesterday we had our planning commitee Meeting and after planning officers recommendation for refusal, 21 objectors letters and objectors speaking for 5 minutes at the meeting the councillors talked it over between them in different aspects and passed our site for one self build dwelling!! ( we applied for two but only ever wanted one). We are absolutely thrilled to say the very least and I don't think it's fully sinked In yet and as the site is a greenfield site on the edge of a hamlet it was always a difficult one to please the officers. For fellow self builders who are going through the stress of outline planning my advice is to use a proven planning consultant ( ours is fantastic), get as much support as possible from neighbours (which is difficult), peg out any boundaries before the site visit of councillors, go to the parish council meeting to answer any questions which may refuse an approval from them, send in a letter with your genuine reasons for the application-this is important as you only have 3 minutes to speak in the meeting. Lastly, do your homework, study the planning process and it's policies back to front and inside out and don't give up!!! Now onto the designing bit ?

I've just put down 40 sqm of howdens own dark grey oak 8mm v groove laminate flooring downstairs in a house we are going to rent out. Brilliant quality and easy to lay with the added bonus of it being splashproof. It was on offer when I bought it around 2 weeks ago. Worked out £10 per sqm Inc VAT.

Brilliant thanks for that!

Fantastic I will Pm you my email now. Mines also a B&S engine. I am going to use it to cut my 4 acre field (not all of it, only maybe half of it more or less but undecided yet). We are using the field to put a fairly large marquee on for a weekend in august next year and it has had 5 bullocks in it most of this year so it needs some TLC, plenty of cutting, rolling and harrowing to get it looking nice. Im looking forward to getting stuck in but im starting to think maybe i should of got a larger machine but this came up for sale locally and is in fantastic condition and came with a little trailer, spare "arrow" wheels/tyres. Have you used yours to cut any long rough grass? If so how did it cope?

How are you getting on with the westwood mower? I have bought one and I'm going to service it in the new year ready for the springtime ( we have a lot of work to do with it up to the summer) Have you a preferred parts supplier and do you know if the transmission has a oil filter?

Not yet, I'm waiting for a written response hopefully this week then I will go from there.

I've searched the whole website including every option on the interactive website and no settlement boundaries are mentioned. Development boundaries exist on the maps along with parish/post code/ flood plains/ green gap/ allocated development land etc but no settlement boundary. Looking at other district council websites they have settlement boundaries but not ours.

I'm seeking advice on our current outline planning application. I have been told that it is "likely" that the officers recommendation will be for refusal when the report is presented to the Planning Committee meeting. This is all verbal at the moment but we understand that something will be in writing possibly next week from the development group manager that will explain things better. The reasons for a recommended refusal is because it is " beyond the edge of the settlement" and because of this it's open countryside. I've been doing some research and on the LPA website the interactive map shows no settlement boundaries ( only development boundaries - which there are non where our site is) . The current NPPF has no mention of settlement boundaries what so ever. So how can a LPA determine where a settlement boundary lies and on what grounds? Our site is a field inbetween an existing bungalow and agricultural building. On the opposite side of the road is a housing estate. Highways, parish council , arbricultrual officer, etc all came back with no objection, literally this only issue Is the only cause for concern. The pre app we had done earlier this year regards the site as infill but out-with the established settlement boundary therefore classed as open countryside. If anyone could point me in the right direction as to find out where to get any information on settlement boundaries and if non exist, how to predict where they are that would be fantastic.

Most objections are about building on greenfield site. They seem to think if I build on a small section of our field ( it has an existing house and a building to each side of it) then it opens up the rest of the land to development. Also they have concerns with adding another driveway (30mph zone). Objections also because it's not land allocated for development in the Local plan and concerns on mains services connections( not any services issues apparent to us). There is no development or settlement boundary. Interestingly it's the neighbours that can't see our field that are campaigning against it. The 3 neighbours close to it haven't objected (yet!). They have until Tuesday to object (21 days since there letter).

Well we are now 4 weeks into the planning process, unfortunately we have had quite a lot of objections but equally we have had virtually the same amount of letters of support. At first when the objections came flying in I took it very personally, losing sleep etc but now I've got used to seeing them being sent in I'm not as bothered. Yep it would be ideal if there were no objections but that would be too easy and from what I have had read so far is that getting planning permission to build in a field is never going to be easy. However some things are going to plan so it's not all bad. I keep telling myself...keep the faith!!

Same story here, we had it fitted in the living room kitchen diner and hallway. It's been down around 7 or 8 years and it looks as good as when it was fitted. Get the v-groove 8mm stuff as it has a far better finish than the cheaper smooth finish.

Thats terrible. How can a Community Council (equivalent to our Parish Council?) that I assume consists of councillors who are unqualified in any form of Planning, hold up your Planning Permission for 3 years and subsequently costing you more money, by submitting unjust objections to the LPA. It seems completely unfair and the LPA should only take their objections lightly and asking for an opinion only. No hold ups should be a result of the Community/Parish Council's objections to the LPA. Our Parish Council only has a handful of councillors in it that meet in a Village Hall on a Monday evening. I'm going to the next meeting to start getting them on my side before the application goes in. I believe that if I dont, and only one resident attends the meeting complaining about it, they will follow suit and object the application.

The problem we have is that although it is inbetween an existing dwelling and agricultural building and it has houses opposite it, it's an application to build a dwelling in a field. Planning officers will feel duty bound to reject it on that in their opinion it is building in open countryside. Apart from that problem all the other planning policies we can't see being an issue. This is why we are using a Planning Consultant who will hopefully put a good enough fight and if it goes to committee (which we think it most Likely will) we can argue that it complies with policy. It is however really good to see that you guys have won on appeal. May I ask how long from the submission of application did you get it passed by committee?

Headlights shining into a window! If that's all they've got to worry about then I think they were clutching at straws. One of the two houses that will be able to see our site, one has a very long garden arguably a field with trees at the end, which would separate our dwellojg from theirs so I can't see any problems with over looking. They didn't say if they would object or not. The other one is adjacent to the site, across the road and it is the rear of their house which looks onto our field. The ground floor is completely surrounded by a 10ft hedge so it is only the upstairs windows of the back of the house ( bathroom and bedroom) which will look onto our field. They said straight away they would object to the proposal on the grounds that they don't want a building site behind their house and that they would lose all the privacy and outlook that the house has, potentially de-valuing it! My reply was that the dormer bungalow would have a low ridge height in comparison to a conventional house and that we are looking at timber frame to speed up the building process. I also explained that the dwelling would be our for life and we are not doing it for profit etc. Do you think their comments are a reasonable objection if they responded to the LPA in writing?

The planning consultant is hoping to submit the planning application later on this week. As it is an outline planning application there is no drawings submitted, these will be produced when (fingers crossed!) We go to full planning.

Well that's all the neighbours visited including the cul de sac opposite the site. Of around 10 houses, two have shown possible objections as their houses over look our site albeit along way away. However everyone of those houses I knocked on the door said thank you for letting them know what was happening and appreciated the call. I'm glad I've done it and think it has definitely reduced the amount of objections that could of been.

Some impressive model making going on there!! I will take your advice and try to produce something similar if/when we get outline planning and then onto full planning. As we are only applying for Outline planning at the moment we don't need such detail yet. I have spoken to more neighbours tonight and have had more good response, all saying it won't concern them and one saying they were waiting for someone to develop that land! But alot did have concerns on the access/speed of vehicles on the road. It's a 30mph limit but alot do speed and it's on a gradual bend which will restrict view. I guess the highways agency will respond accordingly when the application is submitted. Does anyone have any info on viewing distance (splay?) in a 30mph zone?

So, the planning consultant has visited our site and we are looking to submit an outine planning application in around 2 weeks. We discussed various things and it seems the only thing I can do in the meantime is to talk to the neighbours In hope that they won't object or better still , write a supporting email to the LPA. I've spoken to 4 neighbours and they are ok with it but the remaining two that over look the site in yet to talk to. My question is, has anyone any tips on getting folk on side to support a self build?!