PolicySucks

Interesting, our site is similar in terms of being directly adjacent the settlement boundary. Although I get the impression my advice, if it ever turns up, will be somewhat more negative!

11 weeks! I thought my pre-app was taking forever, mine has been in for four weeks, I called up last week and was told that the planning officer has completed her report but is waiting to be signed off by her manager which should be done in 2-3 weeks... she wouldn't say what her report contains until it's been reviewed. There must be a big backlog if it takes 3 weeks to read a report. Also, I'm most disappointed that they won't actually talk to you face to face about your proposals in my borough, they hide behind reports so it's almost impossible to debate anything until it's too late. I am also in the position where I am starting to wonder if it would be best to just submit an application, although as the site is a bit touch and go on policy, I don't want to waste significant sums of money for detailed plans as I don't have money to waste. Therefore I am considering an outline application. Best of luck.

Still not heard back from the planning officer, I had assumed she would have wanted to write her 'written advice' whilst the site visit was still fresh in her mind. How long do these things normally take?

If you require some swept path plots of the truck, PM me - I may be able to help.

So we had the Planning officer out last Friday for a site meeting. She was possibly the hardest person ever to talk to, she wasn't interested in chit chat, didn't ask me any questions really, forgot to bring any of the paperwork with her. She did mention she was off on holiday that afternoon and you could tell, she was looking at her watch every 30 seconds. I tried my best but don't think she was at all interested in our site, she made a handful of notes that she kept very close to her chest. I asked her if she thought there would be any major issues, to which she simply replied "Settlement Boundary". I mentioned the Braintree DC case which she seemed to have never heard of until I explained it and then she knew all about it (I suspect she didn't know of it as she wrote it down) she went on to say she doesn't think it would apply here bla bla. I then showed her a handful of other cases in similar locations in the same borough where it had applied - she said she would look at them. It's really made me lose enthusiasm for the whole project to be honest

Thanks guys, sound advice.

The plot is outside of a settlement zone but only just, I'm hoping they will apply the Braintree DC definition of settlement as they have done elsewhere in the borough..... this being the case it will rely on visual impact etc

Hi All, We have the planning officer from the local planning authority coming to meet us at our site tomorrow, any tips or things to avoid saying etc would be useful. Hoping none of the grumpy neighbouring property owners spot us and come out all guns blazing ! Kind Regards Ollie

Thanks all, will get some more quotes!

That would be really useful, I'm near Guildford if that helps.

Blimey, thanks for this. It's an annoying situation as we do trust the people who own the land and we really do need to limit the spend before getting planning as it's a risky site anyway, so any money spent could just be wasted.

Surrey

Has anyone done their own option agreement? I have found a site online where you can purchase templates for legal documents for a small fee - seems straight forwards. On the other hand my gut feeling is that it's best to pay someone who knows what they are doing. I have emailed 3 local property lawyers/solicitors and so far two have responded saying they do not do them.....! Any recommendations of companies that do and what I might expect to pay? Thanks in advance.

Thanks, Did you pay an architect to design something custom or go with another oak frame supplier?

Hi All, Currently starting to plan my self-build and we have been very impressed with the designs from Border Oak, we especially like the internal exposed beams. Has anyone had any experiences with them, either good or bad?