Tom

Best place to be at this hour. I'm working nights so I plan to be horizontal in approximately 1.5 hours. Can I ask what your wall structure is and how the tiles are fixed to it?

Thanks both. DeeJ - can't find any of what you mention, though I'm finding it hard to imagine how such panels could be safely fixed to the wall.

Still at very early (as in still haven't bought the site yet!) stages of our project so still mulling over various construction methods etc. We like the look of ICF but I'm concerned what finishes we can have on the inside. Dot and dab plasterboard seems pretty standard but are we limited to this? I'd really like some board marked concrete inside - I like the look and it would also add to the thermal mass. Has this been done with ICF before? Is pouring a 1-2" thick vertical slab on the inside feasible? I'm thinking fix rebar mesh to the interior then build the wooden form say an inch or two off of this. I'm guessing there would be issues with the concrete pour/voids etc. Any ideas? Thanks all

Thanks Ian. Martin Goodall's blog is actually where I've been gleaning most of my info. I'll wait and see if I get his book in my stocking in a few weeks...

Hello all, we've had an offer accepted on some land and agricultural barns with a view to getting Part Q. From all the reading I've done it seems a bit of a minefield, with different planning departments interpreting the regs differently. From what I understand though, you are not allowed to structurally reinforce the barn as part of your proposed conversion i.e the barn has to be strong enough to be converted in the first place. One quick question (I'm sure there will be many more): if I was to strengthen with steels inside or reinforce floor slab or whatever and THEN apply for part Q, would that be acceptable? From what I see internal works don't need planning under section 55 of the 1990 act. Any help gratefully received Tom

Hello all, just a quick update - er, well no update really. I spoke informally to a planning consultant who really mirrored much of what was being said above and he also gave me a contact in the local planning office, who I contacted and several months down the line I still haven't had a response! Anyway, it was never meant to be it seems. For someone with deeper pockets this would have been something to buy and sit on for a while and play the system, but not me. HOWEVER, every cloud etc, we've had an offer accepted on land and barns - with the hope of getting Part Q . Still very early days and will pull out if Part Q is looking unlikely. Will start another thread....

JS - that doesn't bode well for my situation! Temp - definitely hasn't been inhabited, however, if it has been used as a barn/storage/shed for 10+ years can permission to use it as such now be refused? And... if it then has legal status as a barn, can I apply for conversion to residential? I'll speak to the planning office about the current planning status...

I'm guessing something definitely isn't right! The place was purpose built as is - not converted, and has some trees planted right up against one elevation to shield it from a lane nearby. It looks like several opening that could have taken french/bifold doors have been filled with blockwork and one remaining now has a garage door on it: I'm guessing original plan was for residential (on the QT), was found out so building work stopped and just made secure and used as a shed. I can't find any planning applications for the site (going back to 2000). Would enforcement notices be listed anywhere? Scanning through the development plan I can see this: TTV31 - Development in the Countryside The LPAs will protect the special characteristics and role of the countryside. The following provisions will apply to the consideration of development proposals: 1. Housing and employment development adjoining or very near to an existing settlement will only be supported where it meets the essential, small scale local development needs of the community and provides a sustainable solution. 2. Isolated development in the countryside will be avoided and only permitted in exceptional circumstances, such as where it would: iii. Secure the re-use of redundant or disused buildings and brownfield sites for an appropriate use. It's certainly a disused building! Clutching at straws...

Wow! Thanks so much all for the responses. Embarrassingly I hadn't thought of looking back in the planning portal - so I'll certainly do that. I'll also see if I can find the development plan. IanR: it's being sold by a charity who received it in a will, so perhaps their enthusiasm for exploring all planning options aren't as great as a private seller (here's hoping...) JSHarris: I'm pretty sure it hasn't been lived in, in spite of the double glazing and toilet it looks like it's been used as a machinery store. However, given that the building is already there all we are asking for is permission to live in it - surely there has to be a good chance of this, more so than permission for a whole new building in it's own right? I'll report back when I have any further info, many thanks once again Tom

Dear All - this is my first post, so please be gentle! We're self-build novices but have some experience building our own extensions and renovating houses etc. What we don't have is any experience of planning law. Can I kick off with a general query? Right, we've found a good sized chunk of land, essentially agricultural fields, with a pre-existing blockbuilt barn on it. This "barn" is actually more of a bungalow: pitched + tiled roof, electricity, water, bathroom with drainage to cess pit - even double glazed windows. It's pretty much a building stuck after the first-fix stage. Looking at google earth it looks like it's been there for 10+ years. Sounds like someone else has done all the hard work for us... however, it's being marketed as an agricultural barn as according to the agent there is very little chance of getting planning permission to complete it, or permission to live in it. It's also in an AONB. I'm guessing that as it's being marketed by a large estate agency they'd have planning consultants on tap for advice, so in a way we're resigned to the fact that it's probably a non-starter for us, BUT we just have to explore every option because it would be too good to miss out on. So, can any one give us any advice? Is this really a non-starter? Could there be a way around the planning restrictions e.g include plans for solar/renewables/passive house etc? I've submitted a "pre-planning" advice request with our council but this can take months apparently and I'm guessing it will probably be computer says no - what we need is lateral thinking! Any advice very gratefully received Tom