Big Jimbo

I will get a pic showing layout in the plot, drawn up over the weekend, and post it. Once again thanks for the imput.

The builders strike again. It is sad how much shoddy, bad building work you see. Especially with the cost of builders. Not saying that there are not any good ones. But as rare as rocking horse poo.

Was there a reason for sitting the ground floor windows and doors, so far forward ? If cavity construction, they almost look like they sit outside the cavity.

That looks great. Well done.

Thanks for all the comments. I value all of them. West is to the rear. East to the front, etc. i'm very restricted as to windows on the right hand side. North facing, and problems with the neighbour. This house will be for sale. There is another house on the site, that when built, i will keep. That is exactly the same layout (not a mirror) Thanks for all your thoughts.

My own thoughts are that councils overstep the mark if we allow them to. I can't see any reason not to have a toilet, shower, and sink, and a basic kitchen. I think the problems might kick in if you put sleeping (bed) in. I had a council visit to my posh shed, which has a bathroom, and a kitchen. It also has a pull down bed, (although that was up at the time of the visit. As i said to the council, if i want to use it as a gym, i need a toilet and shower. If i want to use it as a cinema, i need to be able to get a cold drink, make tea, heat a sausage roll, make popcorn etc. They agreed with me, and were far more interested in trying to find out how much i could build them One for.

@bmj1 I think i will be able to do just aboutb any finish, so i am hoping to make them both look a bit different to each other, and as good as i can. One will be marketed, and the other kept for myself.

So I should be getting permission through for Two houses, once the s106 is completed. I'm pretty much stuck with side windows where they are, due to the 27page objection from my neighbour. However, as this is my own design, I'm sure that some things could be juggled in order to make the layout better. Any thoughts ?

Thought it might be a good idea to post this front elevation drawing. I will be obtaining permission for these in the next few weeks, once s106 has been completed. I will have to go back in for materials, so thought I would get an opinion on how I could make these look as good as they can. Should be fairly unrestricted in materials, and look, and I would like to make each one different. So looking for thoughts on....window colour, rendering, brickwork, brick banding, roof tiles colour. Anything really. Just thought I might be fun to get some opinions. Thanks for any input offered.

I would build single skin. You can always timber frame, and insulate from inside at a later date.

Cramped, will refer to the building or extension, in relation to the site. Not the sizes of the rooms. As above, there is no free go anymore. Best of luck with trying to get a conversation with a planning officer. If you do, then try and record the call.

Basically, they are saying that it can't be converted into a separate dwelling at any time in the future. Or used for commercial purpose. You would be able to do both, but would need planning permission.

Dont know about Bristol, but sunny Hertfordshire has had plenty of rain. What's the update fella ?

I'm going with you have cracked it fella. (See what i did there)

Best of luck Buddy. Fingers crossed for you in Hertfordshire.

Evening @nod Only One house would be built, fully completed, and fingers crossed sold, while the other half of the plot remained empty. I obviously would not say up front that i intend to sell it, as in an ideal world i wouldnt. I dont see how as a self build i shouldnt be able to claim CIL exemption. Obviously if i did sell it within 3 years, i would have to pay the CIL due to the robbing council. Your seems harsh, unless you were building both at the same time ?

having done both, i think it is easier to do facias and soffets first. Especially if you have to put in eaves vent trays etc.

With permitted development it is max 50% of your curtilage to have buildings. House, shed garage, oubuildings etc. There are other rules about not being forward of the principal elevation etc + distance to boundary depending on flamability of materials used. Height in relation to roof type.Pitched or flat. So you can build bigger than 30 square meters, but if you do, you will need to comply with building regulations.

Thanks @IanR. If my wife then built a house on her land after i finished mine and sold it, she should be ok ?

So, it looks like i am going to get permission to build Two houses on land that my wife and i own. It currently has an old bungalow that we are intending to knock down. Once planning is obtained we will look to split the land into two parcels with the land registry and put One parcel of land in my name, and One in her name. It is the only residential property that we own between us, and has no borrowing against it. The intention is to then build a house on my plot of land. I will do it as a self build, and claim exemption from CIL, and claim back VAT spent. Once it is finished, i wont be able to afford to keep it, so my intension is to sell it. I appreciate that i will have to pay the CIL if i sell it within 3 years. If i make a profit, which i should as i will already own the land. would anybody know if i would have to pay any Tax ? My thoughts are that i would not be liable for any tax, as it would be my only residence. I know that i will have to take some proper tax advice, but wondered if anybody had any idea ? Thanks in advance for any help offered.

My daughter until recently lived in a mixed use area. Fast food outlets, warehouses etc. She had a bloody nightmare with rats. Wires in the ceiling chewed through. Constant noise in the ceiling from the blighters running around. Fortunately, none in the actual living areas of the house. She hated having friends around because they would often ask what the noise was. she had all the drain blockers fitted. I managed to get them out of the ceiling by blocking the top of the cavity wall with stainless steel mesh. They still lived in the walls, but at least were out of the actual house. I can understand both your wish to get rid of them, and those of your tennant. When i exposed the area of ceiling that they were active in. About 15ft x 9ft, i removed 27 rats nests.

@ProDave is spot on Zoot the Hoot. Door beads out. Bottom panel, and glass removed. Then a toe and heel job. A local window fitter would love that job on his way home. £100 cash and a cup of tea max. On another note. Dis you ever get your workshop up and running ?

I am happy to be told different, but when i spoke to a broker about timber build he told me that unless it has either a brick or block skin, that i was knocking 64 of his 68 off his list, and that getting a mortgage would be costly and difficult. Fine looking house.Hope you get a quick sale.

No problem. I have a Cambridge educated planning consultant contact, who tipped me off about talking, or writing, or speaking in the negative when trying to get a planning application through a council. You only talk "Negatives" when you have, no choice.

Well done. Pop that cork.