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?

Hi All, Me again! I have managed to speak to the planning consultant who shares our office, he has advised that I should prepare a cover letter for my planning application, detailing a bit about us and our proposals etc. Has anyone got an example of something similar that I could use as a guide? Thanks Ollie

Hi Temp, Thanks again for your advice, The footpath has already been diverted to follow the western boundary of the site and there is currently no provision for that route across the field and it's been like that for at least 10 years. The PROW map shows the diverted footpath. The local houses all have septic tanks, we have no gas in the village. Water supply and electric supply will need to be considered for sure, but all of the surrounding properties have supply so assume it will not be that difficult, hopefully. The current land owners do also own the land to the south, up to the pond. We have been considering Scandia-Hus for the TF, they have been really helpful and have sent me scaled elevation drawings and dimensioned floor plans for a couple of their off the shelf designs, these will be useful to submit for pre-app if nothing else and I have drawn a plan showing how we would locate the house on the plot and some indicative landscaping also. It's really difficult know which order to do things in, it seems very easy to invest a substantial amount of time for something that may never happen. Thanks again for the advice, please keep it coming!

Thanks both for your replies, most helpful. I share an office with a team of planning consultants, who have said they will have a look for me and provide some advice..... it's hard not to get your hopes up but i'll try!

Thanks for your reply, these are my thoughts also. I'm just reluctant to throw money at a full application at this stage - wondering whether pre-app advice is worth doing or not?

Thanks for your fast reply. The plot is owned by some friends of ours, whom my wife teaches to ride horses at the weekends. They own a large house with stables and a field for the horses. They have a spare plot of land on the opposite side of their access road which they have offered us. I have not seen any plots with permission for sale in the village ever....... and in other local villages the land prices are so high it is no cheaper than buying a house...... We have talked about an option agreement which they are more than happy with. I have attached an image of the site and the settlement boundary and the site. Red-Line Plan.pdf

Hi All, long time lurker, first post. Looking to build our first home, we’ve lived in our village for a number of years in a one bed flat and it’s time to move to a bigger property. We love the village and want to stay here but, house prices are INSANE! We have found a plot, which although sits just outside of the settlement boundary, is literally touching it. The site is within 400m walking distance of all facilities and bus stops. Has anyone had a similar plot location that’s got through planning? I see the Braintree DC case, has anyone used this to their advantage? I dont want to waste a load of cash on planning, I guess pre-app advice would be worthwhile? thanks in advance Ollie