ToughButterCup

Exactly Peter. The term is opaque. It seems to me that the vast majority of self builders and every single architect I have spoken to , all cite a simple(istic ?) measure : square meterage. And @SteamyTea has a point when he says it is a poor measure. But at least its consistent in its inaccuracy. I think the argument he might advance is that cost per square meter is a cloak under which a good deal can be hidden. Rough but ready?

A few people have been talking about their build costs recently. ( @ProDave , @nod, among others) All of them use the cost per square meter measure. When I used the same measure in a comment on an unrelated thread, I got a one word answer as to why the measure was poor . ' ...Geometry... ' That one word answer sparked my interest (as do many of the author's posts). I poked around in the list of RICS measurement methods, and bumped into this document about valuing individual new homes. I'm aware of the conflict between value and cost. But the point made in the introduction to that document talks about the need for consistency of measure : what the teaching profession might call working towards formal units of value, rather than informal ones.. Geometery has to play a role in deriving build costs. But so do many other factors. And geometery can be complex : square meterage , simple. Is cost per square meter despite its simplicity the only practicable cost measure? Or are there others we should consider?

But usefully so ...

And @Paul Leigh, there's your starter for 10. Look for developments that (at the time they were suggested) '... look completely at odds with ...' . @the_r_sole 's repsonse seems negative. It isn't - it's extremely valuable : its the issue that, once addressed, will get you a few steps further on your way to Planning Permission. Persistence . Good luck. Ian

Exactly. Could I suggest you do your research before you talk to the architect. Unless yours is a planning specialist (as opposed to an ' educated artist ' - as some on here would have it ) . He'll be up for the challenge on your purse. If you research thoroughly first, the challenge to your purse could well be smaller. Innit?

There's often a similar planning story - different sticky issue. The answer is to research the gonads off it. The end in mind is to be more informed than the planner about There is a duty of Consistency in planning . Here's a link to a beautifully well written blog with the search results for Consistency in the planning context. As you hint, other houses have been allowed. Start there. Go into every salient detail with an eye to getting a clear picture about what openness has meant in the recent past. Go to those locations, look at them - assemble a clear body of evidence and then make your own mind up. Also, do an internet search search for Consistency in the planning context. There are many articles about it. The aim is to know your stuff about (local ideas on) openess far better than the planner to whom you are talking. Be able to back her into a corner with facts and precedent: don't make yourself an easy target.

@nod will be along in a minute.....

Vorsprung durch gute Kuechen!

Welcome. And in one short phrase you summarise why your drive is - shall we say - iffy .

Ooooof.... Ask a southern German (Blum hinges) ; same thing. Ask an Austrian and get a smack in the mouth. Same kind of thing as Candian and American or Ozzie and Kiwi.

Firstly, welcome. Your question is one of compliance with the regulations. Locally ( the Wild Wild Lancastrian North) compliance is called Enforcement. Talk to your local Enforcement (Compliance) Officer. Please remember we are not legal experts here, we are merely interested (nosey) reasonably well- informed busybodies. I say that because I would not want you to embark on a project just because we seem to be in favour of an argument you advance. Give 'em a ring. Whats to lose?

I bought £5000 worth (KwikStage). Sold for almost as much as it cost. Over 4/5 years. For us, no-brainer. If you are in and out in say 8 weeks, not worth it

Nolte. Rich fella like you can afford it..... (no German spoken: just trashy musak) . As I understand it, they supply many other manufacturers.

Thanks for the thought. I rang Gyser, and they were very good: no questions, they just sent me a replacement FOC. Took a week, but TwinkleToes now has warm towels, warm floor, warm water. And I have Brownie Points Cheers @JFDIY !

Is this relevant to you?

I've never seen that . I would be interested in a simple link to anything that made that argument.

Because ...

Welcome. Comparing apples and pears isn't a valid comparison. The ICF that I used didn't cost more. There are many ways to quantify cost - so its difficult (not knowing your assumptions about the costing process) to answer your question as well as you might like. Its common to 'cost' per square meter. I guess that many self builds are coming in at £1500 per square meter (and that really is a guess). There are some who have it down to less than £900 ( @nod and one or two others - @ProDave I think) and I am sure there are others who are more expensive that £1500. Be careful with the '... next to no time to be installed/... compared to ...' thought. My ICF is produced in one factory ' far-far-away ' from where we live. The estimator got the quantity wrong, and the builders (it felt like) broke as many blocks as they used to build - and despite my constant badgering to tell me long before they needed more - decided to tell me at 5:00 on a Friday. It took 7 working days to get more stock. Brick and block? Pop down the BM with a trailor and get more. Pick a commonly used costing measure and stick to it. Price per square meter is as good as any.

A soft floor-fitted door stop? https://www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/door-stops/cat840320

Have a friend, or partner who is just as engaged on the build as you are. Self-build requires relentless attention to detail : and - for us - over four years becomes very wearing. Given the points made by @nod and @PeterW above (skill set and DIY labour as much as possible) there will always be something to distract from focus on cost : its what Toolstation, Amazon and Screwfix depend on. I just need [... ] click > click >buy. Shoo shoo, could have got it cheaper at [...] If you just have a mate whose job it is to look at prices and availability, it'll repay the effort over time.

Got more than you bargained for didn' ya Russ? ?

Know what folks? They tried. They can get better. The vast majority of Parish Councils would not have dared think about doing that. Still a pile of idiots though innit?

Ok, this is starting to get interesting This image is on the title deeds and this is image is the land gifted to you. Comparing the two is difficult at this remove. So, a question........ And I'm guessing here, is the line indicated by the blue elipse below the same line as the one marked 51.3m above? (PS, not one of the elipses)

@Temp's post got me thinking. Are the two lines with a blue elipse round them fence lines? Or clearly visible features on the ground? Because if they are, then that would explain the 51.3meter measure.

I would treat that as mere assertion on the part of the solicitor. And therefore to be treated with respectful skepticism. There is enough at stake here to proceed with great caution in terms of fundamental assumptions. Can I suggest you ask the solicitor the same question I asked. On what basis do you make the claim that the house in in the wrong place? In considering his reply to that question @pdf27 's point should be considered in detail In this thread as in all others, please bear in mind that we are not experts. We are merely intrerested , and reasonably well informed contributors. And all of us are well-disposed : of that you can be sure. After having done Due Diligence , you should take respected, expert advice.