Berkshire_selfbuild

Yes agreed. The fact that they made the effort to hunt down my e-mail address to send me the email today regards the surcharges once they discovered that I’ve started the build is what’s making me super angry. They had the opportunity to send me a letter, hunt down my email address, and then would not be in this position.

Yes they did on the planning portal. And then they emailed my architect on 2 occasions, basically reminding them that their client needs to submit the forms. I never got those emails from the local authority or my architect.

That’s a great idea thanks so much. I will get in contact with them tomorrow. Thank you!

It’s Wokingham Borough Council (Berkshire).

We are going from 156sqm to 396sqm. My local authority charges £365 per sqm for the CIL. The rest of the fees accounted for in the £127k must be other fees etc. If I can’t get this resolved, it’s certainly an end to the project. We are currently at first lift and scaffolding went in today. I don’t know what I’ll do if I’m liable for this payment. Got a wife and 2 young kids waiting to complete this project and move in. 😢

Yes ok thank you. I shall contact a solicitor tomorrow.

Hi all. Thanks so much for the helpful replies. My contract with the architect was up to Building Regs I believe. He completed the CIL1 form and uploaded into the planning site. His argument is that as the contract was up until building regs only, that the local authority should have contacted me and not him. But surely that’s no excuse, if he has simply forwarded me the email, I would have easily filled it in. This is unbearably stressful at the moment.

Thanks for the reply Joe. My architect’s excuse was that he didn’t know when I was planning to start the works so didn’t proceed with the CIL 2 forms nor the commencement notice. When I asked about why the email was not forwarded to me, he didn’t know what to say. When I called the CIL dept at local authority earlier, they said that as it’s clearly stated in the planning application portal that forms must be completed prior to commencement, that there are no exemptions. i fully understand that its specified online etc, but being a first time self builder with no experience in this area and so much to get my head around during the build process, it did not occur to me to revisit all the planning forms. The surcharges will total £127,000, there is no way that my architect will cover the cost unless we go to court etc. Do I have any other options? We are literally talking about completing a couple forms and being 3 months into build.

Hi, I'm currently part way through my self build (started Sept 24). The local authority emailed me today (9th Dec 24) notifying me that they are aware that works have commenced and that the CIL forms 2 and commencement notice have not been submitted. Therefore, if works have commenced, the full CIL charge plus additional surcharges have become due immediately plus additional surcharges for failure to submit the required forms. This is £124,000 plus £2500 surcharge!!!! I can see in the email chain that my architect was reminded in Oct 23 and again June 24 to complete the form. He never sent these to me. I’m a first time self builder so am not experienced to know the process inside out. Had I of known and been contacted directly by the local authority, I would have filled out the forms. I competed a demolition notice as requested on the local authority portal and sent to BC before commencing in Sept 24, I assumed this was all that was needed. Someone please help! I don’t know what to do. 😔

Many thanks. Yes the middle opening will definetely be sliding, it’s just the 2 on either side, kitchen and family, that I’m unsure about. Possibly now thinking about tilt and turn on either side to have the symmetry and allow for secured ventilation when required. Although not seen a tilt and turn in 2.4m height to no idea how practical it will be and what it will look like in reality.

Hi all, I find that I’m going around in circles deciding whether I should have a French door, sliding door or twist and turn door in my 1800mm opening from kitchen to garden. My middle opening will be a 3.6 sliding door, and I’m thinking a window in family room opening. Plan shows French doors on each side to maintain symmetry (attached in floor plan and rear elevation). However I know when it comes to colder months, having a window that we can crank open to allow for ventilation would be sensible - if not in the kitchen, then at least in the family room. However as the openings on either side are 1.8m, it’s not ideal for sliding doors, but not impossible. My windows will be aluminium black slimline (origin OS70 or similar). Any suggestions on what I can do for my openings in kitchen and family room which is practical but not disjointed? Build is progressing and I need to agree opening with builder next week. Many kind thanks 😀.

Hi All, just came across this very helpful forum and wanted to stop by and say hi. A little about my journey so far: I purchased a bungalow in Berkshire with a reasonable plot in 2022, got planning a year later for a replacement dwelling - 4000sq ft over 3 floors, started the building works only a couple months ago. So far the bungalow has been demolished, trenches dug and filled and all the utilities have been run to desired locations. Currently we are completing the install of beam and block which is nearing completion. I’ve got a main contractor who is building the shell but I’ll be looking to pull in on your expertise on this platform to source everything else I need, from roofing, solar panels to bathrooms and decorators etc etc. And of course share my journey and document all the highs and lows that I’ll most likely experience. Elevations attached for your enjoyment 😀 Thanks, Gurpaul.