Search the Community

As things chug along slowly, I think it's time to move house. previously... We're still working our way through the mire that is purchase (Jebus, could Land Registry make it any harder to work out who all has rights over a sight line?) but at least now I've risked getting the planning consultant on-board. No red flags on the Property Certificate, which is great news. I've got some quotes in for the TF already, but it's surprising how many won't quote until Planning is approved. Likewise prices are in for the Shed. So some stuff I've worked out, some I haven't. I can handle the electrical design (RCBOs all round), but I suspect @Nickfromwales will be leaned on for the heating and foul aspects. But firstoff- and yes I'll be asking the same Qs of the PC- what is acceptable to do on-site prior to full approval? The site has had Outline then Reserved Matters, the planning retained on footings which were confirmed inspected by the BCO. Is it likely that we could go ahead with erection of the shed/ garage so as to utilise it for storage and break accommodation during the build?

As promised, here are my completed (I hope) drawings for building control, which I've just submitted to the local council. I'll post back on here with what they come back with, any changes required, and also any restrictions imposed. I know some were asking what was required for BC plans, so hopefully this will give a good guide for a masonry cavity wall build. Side Extension Drawing BC.pdf

Hi All, I am looking to carry out a 2 storey wrap around extension. My next door adjoining neighbour has something similar, the only slight difference is a step back from my boundary by about 2m. Therefore, the rear extension that they have is not full width I presume that they have done this to pass the 45 degree rule as I do not have an extension at present. But I am presuming that as they have an extension, I can do a similar rear extension but mine will be across the full width of the house. Will this pass planning , as my neighbour has a somewhat similar extension? Thanks

Obtained a safe dig plan from uk power networks. Very annoyingly they don't include a key. Does anyone know where I can get hold of one? Specifically interesting in what the green and red lines are the diamond shapes NR .15a +sl Also, is it possible to find out for a given substation any info on the earthing system etc? Thanks in advance

Afternoon, Does anyone have any thoughts/ recommendations for betterment of the attached layout designs? Any usability/ construction issues anyone could foresee? I know they aren't the most ground-breaking plans, but we aren't after some futuristic Grand Design as it's our first self build in a small village. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi all. We have been aiming to build an ICF house and have been going nearly 4 years now and have come to a complete standstill. What with very slow architects, very slow planning, Covid, discovering the house has been designed too big for the plot and massively over budget, we find ourselves with a hole in the ground and being in dispute with the professionals. We have read on the forum of others in similar circumstances where the architect has not kept to budget and are left with a house that cannot be built. In short, we are in need of a revamped design that is smaller, very simple, no fancy frills, that is within budget and can be built quickly. More of a long box shape (we will have a basement with 2 floors on top). Any advice on the simplest design to keep costs down would be great. We have lost trust in many of the professionals we have been involved with and just want to leave it all behind and get something done. We are living in temporary accommodation on site and heading for the Winter and are bracing ourselves for that! Looking at other posts quite a few have recommended doing a design yourself and then getting someone to draw up the design for planning - not an architect, but someone else. We have come up with a design ourselves scaling everything down and making it simpler, but we need to know if it will work and to get plans drawn up. Can anyone recommend a way forward, maybe even someone who can do these drawings? We are based about 10 miles south of Birmingham. It would be good to find someone used to working with ICF. We are contacting ICF builders as our original builders are now booked up. Someone on this forum mentioned using a design and build service as this may be a more joined up way of doing things. Any thoughts on that? Anything to keep costs down and get through planning as speedily as possible. We're feeling a little desperate as many avenues we go down end up being dead ends or we don't feel we can trust people. We've thought about kit houses, but experiences using these have been very mixed on the forum. What we don't want is to go from the frying pan into the fire. I don't think our mental and physical health can stand it!! Sometimes you think why did we ever start this, but we are where we are and I'm sure it'll work out in the end! Any recommendations would be gratefully received. Thanks!!

Im just wondering if anyone knows of any online sources of ready made plans for timber buildings? I have been toying with the idea of a self build for a while now and am just investigating options. I used to make oak frames in my 20s and that has always been the dream, to live in an oak framed house that I built myself. As this would be quite a physical and financial undertaking I was thinking of initially building something simpler, as Im sure I could build some of these flat pack versions that are available nowadays... and then building the dream home onsite over time. Lets just assume; land, planning, regs. are all in place and a non issue. Im not upto speed with all the latest regs, most efficient materials etc, and I know environmental is a big thing now... so was wondering if there was a library of timber framed plans somewhere for self builders perusal, that included e.g. materials, regs etc? Just as a starting point really to see whats achievable, and so I dont have to dig out my CAD 2006 lol. Probably wishful thinking but if you dont ask you dont get. Thanks.

Good evening all. We are about to submit these drawings for planning, and just wanted some feedback of what you all think. Any improvements and recommendations will be highly appreciated, as we may have missed something amidst the excitement of planning a new home. Many thanks Elevation Drawing:

14th Oct 20 I have spent less time than usual in the last week looking at the build and layouts, probably a good thing. But, I still worry when other commitments get in the way, it doesn't really matter at the moment, but it will do once the action really starts. Once thing we have done is look at buying a digger rather than hiring. The issue we have is the back of the barn only has a very narrow passage way between the existing wall and a steep bank, so this need a mini digger for access to dig drains, but then digging holes for treatment plants, soakaways, drains and all the other things needed will be very slow with a mini. What have others done, hired, bought and sold again, and if you buy what have you got and where from. A friend of mine bought a new mini digger recently and paid less than we were thinking of paying for a 2nd hand one, he bought it from North Norfolk Vehicle Solutions, has anyone else used them. Hubby is now looking in China to see how feasible it is to buy one there and ship it over, something he does a lot for work, although not for diggers. But, it will only end up about 1k cheaper by the time you buy the digger, ship it and pay the duty and you have no support if there is a problem. We are definitely going to get a 2nd hand dumper though. The next big step is estimating, I think I've seen a comment about an online estimator so I'll look at that first. I've been looking at what is needed, such as sockets, lights etc and have only managed one room so far, who knew there was so much stuff needed. And, that is without walls, doors and windows etc. It is exciting (really) doing practically everything yourself, but having only done renovations and extensions before, do the whole 240 m2 is a huge step up. In the past I've allowed builders to make decisions about sockets etc and it's definitely not how I would like it so I'm being OCD about this as it's likely to be our last house. Once we can start, after the phase 2 contamination survey, our first task is to strip the barn, inside and out and I'm really looking forward to doing something physical. Although, the storage shed is still minus a roof after the old one collapsed, this doesn't bode well for getting the barn converted as the shed alone has taken many months. Note to self, don't forget the CIL starting notification.

Looking for recommendation for Architectural Technician, preferably in the Mourne area, or anywhere in N Ireland I need Building Control and Build drawings for a 4 bed, 2 storey home on a superb brown field site. TIA

Hi guys - I am looking for a CAD technician, with full knowldge of the Building Regulations, to convert my layout sketch to a set of Building COntrol and Build drawings - any recommendations? I am not looking for the full architectural service, but person must be able to take the lead in the area of compliance/regulation. TIA, James

Hello, If any readers have bought, read, borrowed etc my book 'Self Build Home...The last thing you need is an architect' (only £5 on Amazon btw) I welcome your feedback, comments, criticism. Jim on lofthousestudio@hotmail.com I know I've been critical of plan books on here and other forums, but I thought, for my second edition (!?)I'd include plan designs of some of my projects (realised and doomed), but illustrating and annotating a few important (well I think they are!) design features. Just a thought to stave off retirement dottage!

As the title suggests I am lost! I am a mother of 2 soon to be 3 kids homeschooling and a husband who dropped this idea on me roughly a month ago! We are looking to build a 2-2500 sq ft 4 bedroom 1.5 story family home with double garage on a green site in Northern Ireland. We have full planning permission For a 3000sq ft 5 bedroom modern home (plans from seller of site) but we want to build something to suit out taste and budget so will need to redo plans. But here is where the problem lies. We had a brief meeting with an architect and my husband is too easily swayed by modern looks but it’s not to our taste. i would love to be able to view houses with plans before going to an architect so we can show him what we like not the other way around but I’m really struggling. Pinterest isn’t great as when you click into view most are gone or not available to view in any detail. We are complete novices to this and a lot of it is being left to me as my husband says I’m the artistic one! There’s one thing being creative and a whole other thing designing a family from scratch with literally no experience. We have started to watch channels 4 building the dream for inspo. Has anyone got advise or tips on what they have learned from experience. My list is short and sweet: * 4 bedrooms all with walk in closet (nothing too big or fancy needed) * master bedroom downstairs with walk in shower en-suite (open to pros & cons of this being down stairs) * open plan kitchen dining living area (walk in pantry) * family bathroom * W/C downstairs * Utility * plenty of light and storage space Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I am pregnant and home schooling a 6 & 4 year old so really want to get started on this so we can get things moving. Thank you

Hi guys, This is my first post and would appreciate some advice if anyone can help. My parents own an office building which they have been trying to sell but I have always had other plans for it and suggested making it in to flats as its such a large space. They had a buyer which has recently fell through and now they are finally considering converting it into flats. The positive from the situation is that the person who tried to buy the property had gained prior approval for Class O Permitted Development however, the plans he had were not what I had in mind and he wanted to make a HMO. So now we need to put another prior approval request in with new plans that match what we want. I have tried contacting the planning office numerous times but no response, i'm assuming due to Covid. I wanted to get a bit more info about what we can have under the Class O PD but don't want to pay for pre-planning advice if can be avoided due to cost and the time the council will take to reply. I have also looked at the legislation which is very vague and can't find anything on the internet. My question is, with Class O PD, can you keep part of the building as an office space and convert the rest in to flats without getting full planning permission? I have attached an original plan of the building and drawn on the other to show the flats and the office as I would like them. I believe you can have as many self contained flats as you want at any size under this PD but i'm just not sure about keeping part of the building as the same use class as the original. I hope someone has had some experience with this and can please help! Thanks Sam Office Original Plan.pdf Office Original Plan 2.pdf

Damn ! I realised that the maps i bought online are 1:200 and 1:500, and i already had these and so didn't need to reorder and now i find the application ACTUALLY requires a 1:1250 or a 1:2500 version. I am loathe to fork out £25 again ...is there another way to get them ? Ps I know its my fault ..i should have checked the right box at checkout and yes i have tried t contact the company and of course i havent had a response