Newbie from Durham! Quotes QUESTION !

[Mrsrc]

Hi all! Very newbie here! Very nervous too lol. We Have found a plot we like which already has planning permission (although there is some confusion about whether or not the access has been granted!) 

On a side note it seems really difficult to get builders quotes. Is anyone else having the same problem? And how many quotes will I need for my self build  mortgage application? 

Tia x

[Thorfun]

welcome. I can't help with the builders quotes question sorry as we've decided to project manage our build ourselves and so will be getting subbies in to do the work. but, I just wanted to pass on our experience on a barn/plot we found that had confusion about access. to cut a long story short it cost us nearly 2 years of our lives and ended up with us having to walk away as the owners of the land that access was required over weren't playing ball and wanted stupid amounts of money for that access. (you can read the story in our blog on this site if you wish).

 

so, my advice is make sure that all the access is in place before hand! and definitely before you even get close to spending lots and lots of money on other things.

 

I wish you all the best with your journey.

[Jilly]

Hello. I had worries with this too. Strictly speaking, the planning application should say 'Creation of house and driveway' or some such, but it sometimes gets forgotten, but if you look through the paperwork the entrance is there.  Look on the planning permission on line for the response from Highways: here should be a diagram indicating the new entrance and any attached conditions. This might also be mentioned on the Conditions.

 

Dont forget to research utilities and you will probably want them to come through your new entrance.

 

Builders quotes at this stage are difficult to get, search back through previous posts for lengthy discussion. 

Edited November 11, 2020 by Jilly

[Mrsrc]

Thanks so much for the replies. 

The plot we're buying is someones garden they are selling off. 

The access issue is down to the fact that the planning permission for the new build shows that access will be the existing drive currently there. However, the sellers don't want us to use that drive, they want to block it off and get to their house via an alternative drive that they got permission for. So, when they got planning permission for the house someone from highways department has agreed that the new build can put in a new drive, but planning department are saying they won't allow a new drive as it would mean removing a protected hedge! So who wins? Planning or Highways? Luckily we haven't handed any cash over yet so potentially could walk away. 

I'll def have a read about getting builders quotes etc. And also your blog! Wish me luck! 

[Thorfun]

1 hour ago, Mrsrc said:

Thanks so much for the replies. 

The plot we're buying is someones garden they are selling off. 

The access issue is down to the fact that the planning permission for the new build shows that access will be the existing drive currently there. However, the sellers don't want us to use that drive, they want to block it off and get to their house via an alternative drive that they got permission for. So, when they got planning permission for the house someone from highways department has agreed that the new build can put in a new drive, but planning department are saying they won't allow a new drive as it would mean removing a protected hedge! So who wins? Planning or Highways? Luckily we haven't handed any cash over yet so potentially could walk away. 

I'll def have a read about getting builders quotes etc. And also your blog! Wish me luck! 

 

good luck. might be worth getting a solicitor involved sooner rather than later if it's definitely something you want to pursue. one upside to our frustration with the barn is that we found a better plot within 1 month of the barn falling through! and now we're almost finished the structural engineers plans and are hoping to break ground in a couple of months. ?

 

[Mrsrc]

25 minutes ago, Thorfun said:

 

good luck. might be worth getting a solicitor involved sooner rather than later if it's definitely something you want to pursue. one upside to our frustration with the barn is that we found a better plot within 1 month of the barn falling through! and now we're almost finished the structural engineers plans and are hoping to break ground in a couple of months. ?

 

So happy it's ended well for you, but what a stressful time you must've had. 

Yes we're looking at getting solicitors to check over everything. 

Thanks again for the advice x

[Timedout]

Your sellers want their cake and to eat it.
Who wins, highways or planning? Both of them and the self-builder always loses.

Do not exchange until your sellers come up with a genuinely approved and viable solution for access and services.

 

make sure you have a solicitor that understands building plots.

 

[nod]

We are in the same position with our next two plots 

The Farmer next doors says he owns the access road 

The seller is adamant that they own the access road and he only has permission to use it 

Imagine our surprise 

when we came to exchange contracts 

and every one of our questions was answered with 

To the best of the seller knowledge 

and ended with the purchaser must do there own investigation 

We are in limbo 

[Jason L]

3 hours ago, Mrsrc said:

Thanks so much for the replies. 

The plot we're buying is someones garden they are selling off. 

The access issue is down to the fact that the planning permission for the new build shows that access will be the existing drive currently there. However, the sellers don't want us to use that drive, they want to block it off and get to their house via an alternative drive that they got permission for. So, when they got planning permission for the house someone from highways department has agreed that the new build can put in a new drive, but planning department are saying they won't allow a new drive as it would mean removing a protected hedge! So who wins? Planning or Highways? Luckily we haven't handed any cash over yet so potentially could walk away. 

I'll def have a read about getting builders quotes etc. And also your blog! Wish me luck! 

Welcome ! 

Without know the full details, I would guess that its going to need another planning application to get the access and drive issue sorted out, and that's something that is down to the sellers, before you agree to buy.  Or sale agreed subject to PP being granted etc. if you do it with an offer to reflect that.

J

[ProDave]

5 hours ago, Mrsrc said:

 So, when they got planning permission for the house someone from highways department has agreed that the new build can put in a new drive, but planning department are saying they won't allow a new drive as it would mean removing a protected hedge! So who wins? Planning or Highways? Luckily we haven't handed any cash over yet so potentially could walk away. 

 

Planning wins, Highways only advise planning.

 

First if you want the separate drive, your planning application must show that.  Then if it is refused you could appeal?

[Mrsrc]

1 hour ago, nod said:

We are in the same position with our next two plots 

The Farmer next doors says he owns the access road 

The seller is adamant that they own the access road and he only has permission to use it 

Imagine our surprise 

when we came to exchange contracts 

and every one of our questions was answered with 

To the best of the seller knowledge 

and ended with the purchaser must do there own investigation 

We are in limbo 

What an absolute nightmare. Why are some things never simple. And it seems like (at times) nobody in "authority" wants to put their neck on the line and make a decision! Hope you get sorted soon x

[Mrsrc]

1 minute ago, ProDave said:

Planning wins, Highways only advise planning.

 

First if you want the separate drive, your planning application must show that.  Then if it is refused you could appeal?

That was my thoughts too. But we put our offer to buy the land in based on it having FULL planning. My thoughts are the seller needs to sort this BEFORE we go any further. 

[Mrsrc]

1 hour ago, Jason L said:

Welcome ! 

Without know the full details, I would guess that its going to need another planning application to get the access and drive issue sorted out, and that's something that is down to the sellers, before you agree to buy.  Or sale agreed subject to PP being granted etc. if you do it with an offer to reflect that.

J

Yes I agree. This should be sorted out by the vendors. Luckliy it's still early days and even though it's a good plot in a good position it's worthless without access to the new build lol! 

[Mrsrc]

3 hours ago, Timedout said:

Your sellers want their cake and to eat it.
Who wins, highways or planning? Both of them and the self-builder always loses.

Do not exchange until your sellers come up with a genuinely approved and viable solution for access and services.

 

make sure you have a solicitor that understands building plots.

 

Thanks. Will make sure pour solicitors understand the issues before instructing them x