Claire B

I've been after these Velux external shutters for a while now but I have 19 windows (largest size)! I have internal black out blinds on the bedroom Velux's but they don't keep the heat out, you have to stop it coming in through the window (using the external shutters). I've yet to hear from anyone that has them. It's a big investment and I've had no luck getting any of their 'approved fitters' round to quote.

I have seen this, its just 5 mins from me. The location ticks all the sustainability boxes, on main road, footpath, streetlights, can walk to big village. Its also a different council to me.

Not stables but not really 'agriculture' either but a private zoo a long time ago.

I was thinking along these lines, I think it's 4 years but will check. I'll have to get the exact requirements and see if it's workable. Growing food sounds like a good idea at the moment anyway.

I’ve already appealed the planning decision and lost. These fees are to challenge the the appeal decision.

I employed a big planning consultant from the start (only because they had successfully got me planning for my own home 5 years prior). They have cost the bulk of the amount plus architects, structural surveys, landscape designer, ecological surveys, building repairs. Quote to challenge the appeal is 10k for solicitor, 2.5k for Counsel and 2.5k ish Sec of State costs if I lose.

If I didn’t live in the village maybe I’d consider that but I do so I won’t.

A regular planing appeal. Next step would be Secretary if State but at great expense. Good to hear you have done this and won.

I asked my planning consultant if I'd get permission to use them for holiday lets but he said they'll use the same 'sustainability' argument, people would drive to get here. I guess that would be the case with anything.

That was what we tried first but we couldn't prove the buildings had been used for agriculture in the past.

After over 2 years and 100k (excluding land purchase price) my appeal has been dismissed. Planning consultant has shown the decision to a solicitor who thinks we have 'reasonable grounds to challenge the inspectors decision' but the cost to do so likely to be £15-20K. Does anyone know what percentage of these (s288 challenges) win? I tried an online search but couldn't find anything. Even if we win we just win the opportunity to have another planning inspector make a decision which might be another dismissal. If I quit now I'm left with a very expensive folly I don't know what to do with (but save myself another huge expense). Brief backstory... Bought the land (4 acres with old 4 animal buildings on it- breeze block and render) about 20 years ago in the village (rural, not green belt) I live. Wanted to convert one of the buildings into a 1 bed live/work unit for my son. Tried the class Q route but council weren't satisfied the buildings were used agriculturally so that failed. Put full planning application in, council didn't like some bits, roof height & solar panels so we withdrew application and submitted a new one having dealt with the things they didn't like. Refused on 'sustainability' grounds, you'd need a car to live there (I'd argue you wouldn't nowadays with online shopping and remote working) and their other reason being that the office was big enough to be a bedroom and they think thats what it would be used as and as such the building wouldn't be big enough to be a 2 bed. I appealed and it's been dismissed. 'Site not suitable' and no way they can prevent the office being turned into a bedroom. Lots of objection from people in the village (their back gardens border the land), I would love to get the permission just to wipe the smug looks from their faces but I could spend the 20k on something else. If I quit now it's game over, the site wouldn't get planning in my lifetime. What would you do?

I have appealed. They could have just put a condition in the planning decision to say it can only be a 1 bed but they didn't and just refused it instead. Have just been assigned a case officer finally so should have a decision mid Feb.

Indeed.

Not all of them but a few were.

Do you have external shutters? I too have double height ceilings and a lots of glass. I don't have a problem with overheating really in the summer as I have Velux windows in the ceiling so the heat goes up and out through those. I do have an issue with it being cold here in the winter months though and have been thinking about external shutters for a while as they would also provide another level of security. I'd want them automated though somehow so I don't have to go and physically close them when it's cold outside.

Hourly rate was £130 and the senior consultant almost twice that. Their first bill was 2 years ago now, we started off trying for permitted development then had to put a full application in (when we couldn't provide evidence the building had been used agriculturally), then had to make some amendments after comments from the council. The fees and time increased due to this line in their fee proposal "Time spent post submission of the application, liasing with council officers and the design team would be covered on an hourly basis but capped at £1300 per month (plus vat)". It was in their interests to drag it out. Anyway they've stopped fees now until the appeal is won. I've worked with them before and they did (eventually) get me permission to convert my Nissen huts when everyone else said I had no chance.

When I got the refusal they said they won't charge any more now until we win the appeal (if we don't, I've spent 50k and got nowhere!). Note they want to negotiate a final fee once an appeal is won.

Thank you. Assuming mine is a written rep and not a hearing I could hear before Christmas on that basis.

It's the most ridiculous reason.... Im trying to convert an old building into a 1 bed cottage for my son, it has an office so he can work from home. Refused because the council said we might use the office as a second bedroom and if we do then the property won't meet minimum build size for a 2 bed. They could have just put a condition on the approval that it's not to be a 2 bed! We're applying for costs too.

Not that I know of. I'm paying a planning consultant but they've gone quiet after telling me it will take 'a long time'.

I've paid a planning consultant 25k so far (plus architect 13k and surveys £12k). The person dealing with my application left the company so it was handed to someone else who isn't really interested and doesn't reply to my emails.

Hi, Does anyone know what the wait time for planing appeals is at the moment? I had a refusal on April 19th (I want to convert a small agricultural building into residential), I put an appeal in 4 weeks later and haven't heard a thing since. I know they're taking a while now (because C0v1d) but I'm wondering if I should just use the building for something else for a year or two in the meantime.

Thanks Ian, Those flexible 'stick on' panels would be great if they'd work, your link shows them on a curved roof like mine. Just need to find a supplier and fitter. This is what the farmer used on his shepherds hut. The site is very exposed and we get much more wind here then our neighbours tucked away within the village. I'd be worried about the wind getting under the clamped on panels. I'd also need to check that wouldn't invalidate my roof warranty.

Its a few acres so not small but the plant room is at the northern end of the property and I want the solar to be close to that for efficiency and also didn't want to see the panels from my windows. I can always buy more if I want it but don't see a need if I can get panels on the roof.

Yes I was prepared for the planning permission if going with ground mounted. I might get away with the roof mounting without planning as long as they can't be seen. Roof faces East or west (either, not neither). Along the ridge they would be facing straight up if I put flat panels on there. I think a curve would capture more sun.