mjc55

So planning consultant managed to get hold of planning officer and he asked for an extension until 6th December, she said that was too much and we have settled for 29th November (so an additional 5 weeks) A pain, but realistically what else could we do but agree. I never was in this position with any of the jobs I submitted, what would actually happen if we didn't agree with extension, presumably they would just decline application?

Do you mean for new build or just householder planning apps? To be honest I am pretty shocked - in my experience of sub mitting planning apps from about 2013 until 2022ish in Wiltshire I really don't remember many taking more than 8 weeks and for those that did the planning officer would ask for an extension.

So it is a couple of years or so since I was involved in submitting planning applications. This was in Wiltshire - and I cannot remember ever getting to the 8 week deadline without either having a decision or them asking for an extension. Our 8 week planning period was up last Thursday and nothing from the (Dorset) planning department re our application. I decided to use a planning consultant rather than submit the application ourselves as I had never dealt with Dorset. She communicated with planning early last week but he hadn't even looked at the app yet! I am unhappy at the lack of communication but am loath to get in touch as my unhappiness might leak through and I don't want anything to compromise his decision making process. Have I missed something re the 8 week deadline, was I just lucky that I had a relationship with the planning department in Wiltshire and therefore communication lines were open? What is the experience of others in Dorset (if any) re the planning department? (Mild) rant over. I open the forum to others to respond! Thanks

BSA?

Where did you hear this? Not doubting by the way, just hadn't heard that before. It's 2-3 years since I retired and had to deal with BC so maybe it has changed in the interim period, or maybe it is your LABC that is the issue

Well I am really going to have to disagree with everyone else on this @thefoxesmaltings it was rubbish.... Nah, not really - 😁 - really great effort and ended up with a lovely looking building. It shows what can be achieved with personal effort and I would echo the sentiments of others that the chap that you got to help was amazing, such a nice guy. I am sure you are much more relaxed now that the build is finished (yes, I know, it never really finishes) and you can move on with your really quiet lives!!! Congrats and well done. We are just at the start of our process, currently waiting for planning, and just looking forward to when we can really get going. Loved the Cor-Ten by the way.

Presumably there is no difference between single/3 phase for all of this?

What happens when build is finished and want to connect to house? Is the extra cable spliced underground?

Anyone know what, if any, are the rules (guidelines?) re positioning of kiosk? Can it be anywhere on site or does it have to be within a certain distance to the front of site?

Great blog Susie. Love the information you are including. Seemed to get out of the ground pretty quickly.

Agree a light tube would really help. Also think that main living area could do with something - potentially gloomy. But of course that does go back to orientation somewhat.

Must admit I am not a fan of rooms with no windows, I know that they are mainly bathrooms but given the overall shape of the house it would be difficult not to do what you have!

I can give no advice other than keep looking and something will find you! That is the attitude that we had and after 2 years of looking at sites that were OK, but didn't float our boat. Eventually ours came up at auction and we just knew it was meant for us and that we could at last scratch an itch that had been there for 30 years or so. When we were looking we really had no idea of what our build would look like, single storey/two storey/orientation/size none of this was something we thought about. When we found the plot we started looking at what we might build and by a process of elimination came to our submitted plan. (After months of sorting out a discrepancy in the boundary that was on the LR plan!)

I was going to edit my post to add that at the end of the day it is totally up to you how you approach this. It's an exciting time working towards a self-build and for us, as soon as we got the land it soon became apparent in lots of ways what we would attempt to build. There is also some merit in looking at options and posting on here as people will point out, what appears to them, glaring errors! At your stage they are not errors just points on a path. Good luck with looking for land - in some ways that is the hardest part of the process! Actually getting PP is the hardest part, or maybe building it 😁

Have to agree with Bozza re spending time on a layout before you have the plot, I'm really not so sure that you are helping yourself to be honest. The plot you buy will give you so much more regarding orientation and shape and layout than any theoretical exercise! I worked as an AT for 10 years or so and the last thing I ever wanted on first look at a potential change to a property was other people ideas, for me it took away some of the spontaneity that happens when you look at something with fresh eyes.

No insulation in posijoists where it over sails wall? That's the minimum I would expect. also not quite sure why you would have insulation in exterior part of roof, what is it doing? My plan is to finish posi joist on internal wall. Outside overhang will be separated from inside. On rear I have large overhang which will have separate support structure on exterior. Need to work out on other the sides with 1 metre overhang.

Is there any evidence of chimney in the room below?

An Architectural Technologist is usually registered with CIAT. Doesn't have to be (as I remember it anyway - its a while since I looked at this) as it is not a protected title. There are Architectural Technicians and Architectural Technologists and some would argue that there is a degree of knowledge and experience that separates these two. Most people don't care to be honest. I did an Architectural Technology degree in 2009-12, never bothered with becoming chartered - this was mainly because I was in my 50's when I started the degree, didn't particularly want to work for someone else (having being self-employed for over 20 years). When I practiced I tried very hard to let people know what my experience and knowledge was but in most cases this fell on deaf ears.

Crumbs!

Slightly surprised that you have spent so long designing for a plot you haven't got yet! From our point of view the plot came first and then design to fit the plot. I can't quite read the dimensions properly but it is around 10m x 23m? Pretty wide so would require a particular shape of plot. Was there a reason that you have done it this way around?

That is definitely a BIG oven!

No flies on me @SteamyTea 😁

That would probably be my view as well. Given the current state of our plot it would probably end up mostly thistle, nettle and bramble!

Still thinking about our "green" roof! So i understand the difference between intensive and extensive roof coverings. Now I am coming across "bio-diverse" and "brown" roofs! Bio-diverse seems to be coverings that are local to the area - something that we are keen to do - but brown roofs seem to be a subset of bio-diverse that rely on local windblown and bird carried seeding! Any experiences or thoughts welcome.

Watch out for CIL liability if you start before planning is obtained. Edit: Existing property there so no CIL - too early on a Sunday morning, need to wake up before I post anything!