Minxy

Yes, that's what I was thinking of doing if needs be, native trees would be much more appropriate for the setting as the vast majority in that tree line are already ... the first picture is the view partly 'hidden' by the trees at present, the others (courtesy of Google!) show: 1: the lane (plot on left) 2 & 3: Plot to the left, trees to the right 4: view of the trees from one of the rear corners of the plot 5: trees with the plot behind.

Thankfully all is well regarding PP - I've been in touch with the Planning Office and Building Control who have informed me that the 'material details etc' were submitted and a site check was carried out in 2013 with approval being given for work to continue, so the PP is valid and the site 'lawful'. There's a chap in the Building Control office who they call their 'Rain Man' as he can remember everything and has been there for a long time ... he recalled the site and the issue regarding work starting so was able to tell the chap I was actually speaking to where to find the relevant approval info! That's some memory! I talked to the planners about changing the design/construction method and they seemed amenable, or we could just build it to the existing plans. I also asked about 3 tall crappy very tall conifers directly across the road from the front of the plot and the planners seem to think they are part of the verge so Council owned, as we'd like these to be removed to open up the view we'd have to get approval for this but as they're not native trees, and don't offer any benefit to the locality (they're really an eyesore) we should hopefully be able to have them removed, even if we had to pay for it ourselves it would be worth it. I've found out that when the adjacent plot was sold earlier in the year the buyers had both plots checked by his builder (the new owner is a developer) and they were both deemed to be okay to use as they are. As I mentioned above BC signed them off. We've revisited the site today, along with looking at others too which we were interested in, and this one if by far the best: price, size, location and views wise ... something which I really would like. We've managed to negotiate a good price with the owners' agent so even if we had to remove and replace the base etc, it still makes it a good buy. Just gotta sort out a conveyancer/solicitor now to get the ball rolling ... any recommendations? Oh, yet again many thanks for all the help/advice, it's been really useful.

Thanks for the useful info/advice, we've done more digging and been able to establish that the ground work was started no later than 2007, the selling agent states: The 5 plots were originally approved in 2 separate applications, one for 3 (no work started) and one for 2 (the ones with the bases), apart from materials etc approval we can't find any requirement being necessary before starting work, for example they all have individual access off an existing road rather than as a group on one large 'cul de sac' type area with a single access point, so no need to create new roads etc for them. We tried speaking to someone at the council today but the Planning Officers don't deal with 'general enquiries' except on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so another call will be made tomorrow first thing to see what they can tell us, we've found some more info too but the most important thing is to confirm that the original planning permission is still valid and take it from there. I've tweaked the design of the original build to meet our needs so no need to alter the actual base at all assuming it still meets today's standards. As we're wanting to alter the design anyway I suspect we'd have to go for PP again anyway, but it would be good if we didn't have to do the base again, from both a financial and 'hassle' point of view. As for asking to buy an undeveloped plot, we're not sure if they are owned by the same seller and they aren't up for sale anyway at the moment, plus the plot we are looking at has the benefit that it has a large wall running alongside it which is rather nice and in good condition, plus it has an extra 'room' on the side, about 1.8m x 5m which we assume is for a utility as it's next to where the kitchen is on the original plans, this is the only one with this and will be very useful for us as we have 3 doggies! We're considering going down the flat pack/prefab route rather than a bricks and mortar build, quicker and probably cheaper, more energy efficient and of course better 'green' credentials, so will be discussing that with the planners too - as they really want something building on the site we're hoping this will put is in a good position to get it changed to what we want rather than it being 'set in stone' (or should that be concrete! ?). Obviously this assume we can get a flat pack/prefab one that will meet our needs and can be made to fit the existing base - I know there are various types of these 'systems', some off-the-peg designs, some totally bespoke and everything in between, so will delve into that in more detail once we've confirmed the situation with the planners. We won't be doing the build for a while yet as we have our current place on the market and will then move out into one of our rental holiday lodges for a while which will give us the time to think more seriously about what type of build etc we go for. It may end up not to be a 'goer' but we think it's worth a bit of serious research and consideration at the moment as plots in this area don't come up very often.

Thanks guys, I'm assuming there isn't any insulation below the floor, so had anticipated putting it on top. The plans were fully drawn up with interior layout and exterior design etc but the 'style' is a bit old fashioned and things have moved on in terms of windows, bi-fold doors etc rather than the French doors etc of the original design. I too think the work was started to keep the planning in place as there is a letter from the Council telling them to desist until they provide fully details of brickwork, materials etc, so this, and the crises 10 years ago is probably what put the brakes on it then. Of the 5 plots, only 2 (possibly 3) have had the groundwork started, the adjacent plot with base sold previously but I don't know for how much/when. The other 3 plots haven't been put up for sale so I assume the owner is just trying to get something back for the ones they've invested in the ground works they've done already and I suspect the PP has now lapsed on the other 3 anyway. As for services, they've put the soil pipes in when they built the base and the waste pipe comes out at the side but it isn't connected to the mains, so no connections to anything that I can see (no gas in village anyway). Still mulling it over.

Hi all, my name is Mel and hubby is Chris, we have 3 dogs (Romy, Lily and Tazzy) and are looking to do a self-build to get what we want in an area we like with room for our camper, we looked a new-build from the mainstream builders but can't keep the camper at home so that's a none started (plus we don't really want to live in a massive estate!). We're completely totally new to all of this, although we've done work on our own home, renovating, reconfiguring etc, I've never built anything new so hoping you can help as we don't want to get in a right mess! I've found a building plot which has fully planning for a 5 bed (one of 5 on the site, but none built yet), the owner started work about 10 years ago and put in the bases for two of them with the outer shell of brick work which is level with the top of the base. I've had a good shuftie at the one I'm looking at and it seems sound (just the odd weed needs zapping!) but I'm wondering if there are any issues with a base being left for 10 years as I don't want to have to rip it all out and start again as obviously this would add a hell of a lot to the cost. As the planning was approved 10 years ago we'd also be looking to alter it (make it a little bit smaller 'up top') but I don't think this would be an issue as the council just want something to be built rather than it be left as an eye-sore. I've attached some photos of the existing base so you can see what I'm talking about - your comments/opinions would be much appreciated - I'm happy to get it looked at properly by a builder but just want an idea before I start the ball rolling. Many thanks Mel