Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Hi All

This blog is moving to our website shortly.

Please check out www.selfbuildcoach.com
 

Thursday, 5 April 2018

Buying a plot with or without planning permission.

Buying A Plot With Or Without Planning Permission

Understanding Planning Permission -
Buying With Or Without Planning Permission
Self Build: Understanding Planning Permission

What Should You Consider If The Plot You Are Buying Comes With Planning Permission?

Is Consent About To Expire?
Many older outline consents were granted for a period of five years, with the condition that the application for detailed (Approval of Reserved Matters) should be made within three years of the outline consent being granted. If therefore, you are buying a plot of land with such a consent four years after it was originally granted, and no detailed planning application has been submitted or approved, then technically, the outline consent has expired. In this case, if you still wish to purchase the plot, you should add a condition to the contract of sale making it subject to receipt of satisfactory planning permission.

Check Dates Carefully
Newer outline planning consents will only last for three years, with the requirement that the detailed application must be made within that period, and that work must commence on site within two years of the detailed planning permission being granted. This is vital, because
it does mean that the application for detailed consent runs past the original three year period and it fails, then the outline consent will also be expired and will no longer be valid. Once again, the rule is to check all dates carefully, and if necessary, only agree to buy subject to receipt of satisfactory planning permission.

Submit An Application Before You Buy?
You should never buy a plot without first knowing if planning permission can be obtained. However, if you have spotted an opportunity that does not yet have planning permission, don't let that put you off. You do not have to own the land in order to apply for planning permission, and you do not even need the owner's permission, although you will have to give them sufficient notice that you intend to submit a planning application. It would be a waste of time applying for planning permission for someone else's land, however, which is why beforehand, you should have a formal agreement with the current land owner to sell it to you if the application is approved. Remember, the planning permission is approved on the land, not with the individual who applied for it, so at very least, you should enter into a legal agreement with the owner before you make your application. This can be a very simple document which binds them to sell to you, and you to buy from them, if the planning application is successful.

Check The Conditions
A planning consent will often contain various other conditions requiring that something is done, or that certain criteria are fulfilled before the consent is operated, or before the resulting home is occupied. It is imperative that you make absolutely certain that you, and any other parties involved, are capable of satisfying these conditions before you buy. You also must be certain that if the conditions do involve third parties, the necessary legal agreements and framework is in place so that the conditions can be satisfied.

Get The Experts In
Finally, you should consider getting some professionals in to fight your corner. Speer Dade advises that at very least, you'll need a set of drawings; therefore it's worth using a good firm of architects or building surveyors. Professionals can submit your planning application but the specialists in planning, rather than just design, are planning consultants who can also give an opinion on potential and the prospects for success before you embark on an application. The complexity of planning is such that few laymen can now successfully make an application unaided.

For More Information
If you need more advice on planning issues, you can speak to the independent experts at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon.
Companies such as ST Planning specialise in background planning research, pre-application discussions with planners and the submission of planning applications.
Roy Speer and Michael Dade are planning and development land consultants and authors of How To Get Planning Permission and How to Find And Buy A Building Plot.

Article Source - http://www.channel4.com/4homes/build-renovate/self-build/planning/a-z-of-self-build-guides/self-build-understanding-planning-permission-09-06-08/display/page/2

Thursday, 29 March 2018

3 top tips to help you succeed with self build projects

3 Top Tips To Help You Succeed With Self Build And Design Home Projects

For most people the idea of a self build and design project would be a new kitchen, bathroom or extension but for several thousand people every year the ultimate project is a complete energy efficient home.
However, there are some hurdles that need to be overcome even if you have a plot of land that is suitable for building on, so as one of the most innovative new self build companies in the UK we thought we would cover 3 top hurdles you will face and offer 3 possible solutions to help you move forward with your self build project.
Self Build And Design Tip #1: Self Build Mortgages, Site Insurance And The CE Mark
As with all home purchases, mortgages tend to be an essential element to successfully securing the house of your dreams and until recently self build mortgages were not high on the priority list for UK banks.
The National Self Build Centre in Swindon have what is believed to be a revolutionary approach to the problem and they offer full consultancy for every aspect of your self build and design project.
The usual way in which self build mortgages are managed is for funds to be released in stages for land purchase and then build costs at various stages. Borrowing will always depend on circumstances and in some cases payments may be released in advance.
What the National Self Build Centre offers is a new concept of self build and design mortgages
that allow you total freedom with your self build project by offering a complete self build mortgage insured payment upfront that would allow you to totally manage your project without the constant stopping and starting in between stage payments.
Self Build And Design Site Insurance and The CE Mark
We are used to our NHBC warranties in the UK and it has been the industry standard for decades.
The highest quality log homes from Europe often carry the CE Mark which is a construction certification that guarantees the resistance and strength of the structure..
For most people the thought of a timber house creates an element of fear about fire risks. Most houses in the UK are built with a timber frame and a brick outer skin and a closed door is supposed to allow for a half an hour escape time in the event of a fire. In Europe the standards are twice as strict as in the UK and there must be a one hour escape time.
As for self build site insurance you can now get instant cover and save money with several online companies who now cover this type of construction.
Self Build And Design Tip # 2: Code 6 Houses And Planning Permission
First and foremost there are no guarantees when it comes to obtaining Planning Permission, but as it stands your best chance in an unconventional planning situation is to apply for permission to build a Code 6 Home.
The home will have to be completely zero carbon for example it must have zero net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from all energy use in the home. There are many factors that combine to produce a Code 6 Home including
• Improving the thermal efficiency of the walls, windows, and roof.
• Reducing air permeability to the minimum consistent with health requirements
• Installing a high efficiency condensing boiler, or being on a district heating system
• Using low and zero carbon technologies such as solar thermal panels,
• Reducing domestic water usage, managing surface water and waste and using low energy appliances and lighting within the home and the impact on the environment.
Self Build And Design Tip # 3: Building A House In Your Garden
Planning Permission will generally be granted when it can be demonstrated that the site is capable of accommodating a suitable scheme which adheres to the Local Planning Authority's development control criteria and Local Planning Policy.
If you live in a village or town, the development boundaries are likely to be established and there will be other constraints that need to be considered such as the provision of a suitable and safe access which is a high priority.
Your local County Highways department will often give free advice on whether an access is suitable. Your site is likely to be a non-starter. The site, its constraints and local planning policies form the framework for your self build and design project and at that point design considerations should be discussed.
Pete Cossie of Contemporary Log Living is on a mission to inspire and empower people to look at unique energy efficient self-build home kits, log cabins and Contemporary Affordable Homes to make a great investments in the real estate of tomorrow today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Cossie
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6646594

Monday, 28 August 2017

How to extend your property for less than £50k

Looking to extend but on a tight budget, take a look at this guide from Real Homes Magazine.
Which types of project will work on this budget, and how to keep to budget.

https://www.realhomesmagazine.co.uk/advice/how-to-extend-your-house-for-less-than-50000/