First anniversary

[Bancroft]

Somewhat depressingly, Facebook has just sent me one of those "on this day..." memories in the hope that you'll share it again on the platform.

 

It was this day last year that we finally got the letter saying we had been granted planning permission to build our new house.

 

(That was after applying for planning permission the previous December but let's gloss over that...).

 

Since then, the only physical proof we have to show as 'progress' are three lumps of earth in the garden where soil inspections were done.

 

But, there is some good(ish) news:

 

Only one of the thirteen conditions remains to be discharged

The new architect is almost ready to submit the Section 73 notice to update/amend some changes made to the design.  Hopefully, the planning department won't take another six months to approve those.

 

I think this stage of 'building' your own home is one that is often glossed over but it does help to put into context why planners allow you three years from approval to commence the build...

 

I've found it quite difficult to determine what I should be doing personally during this period, especially now that I'm essentially retired.  When we initially got permission to build I went out at full speed and started talking to builders, organising site insurance, writing letters regarding CIL etc etc.  But then the reality of discharging Conditions came in, along with a seemingly never-ending series of reports and inspections to be arranged and paid for.  I took a pause, throttled back in preparation for the long haul, and put my frustrations to one side.

 

And, although physical progress might have stuttered, I have been able to use places like this forum to increase my overall knowledge of some of the more obscure (but no less important) corners of self-building. I'm grateful to both this site and the individual contributors who have gone before and highlighted their experiences. 

 

So, onwards and (hopefully) upwards as we enter the second year of holding planning approval.

[Russell griffiths]

Wait until you start building and you hit the 6th anniversary from when you put that first spade in the ground. 
now that’s a shock. 

[Bancroft]

24 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

6th anniversary from when you put that first spade in the ground

I think if we get to that stage, my wife will be putting me in the ground, not a spade!

[Kelvin]

We went quickly but I added up 9 months of delay from first buying the land to moving in that could easily have been avoided. 

[Super_Paulie]

nearly at the 3rd for me. Kitchen arrives next week...