Building a bungalow

[Jonny_2]

How hard or even worth trying to build a bungalow on our 70ac farm? Currently my 66 year old mother has the farm house on her own and I live 3 miles away and drive down everyday (3 times during lambing). Dreaming of building a bungalow for mum so I can have the big house and be able to potential care for her long term.

My main income is away from the farm which I’m guessing could be an issue?

 

[essexpete]

Think you might struggle. Who is running the farm at the moment. An ageing parent will not be a reason. I reckon it will depend on the views of the planning officers/committee as how it might be potentially viewed.

 

[Princess Pooper]

I would talk to one of the professional companies to see what your chances are - the rules have just changed think. Acorus are good, https://www.acorus.co.uk/meet-the-team/ this type of work is their bread and butter. Are there any alternatives you can explore - granny flat extension on the farmhouse, or conversion of a farm building?

 

[Grandad Pig]

We are going down the “mobile home annexe” route. No PP needed but we are applying for legal permission. Mum is buying a Norwegian Log cabin, solid and very well insulated. As long as use is “ancillary” to the house and it is built “within the curtilage” there is no requirement for full blown PP.

When she pops her clogs we will move into it and the kids can have the main house.

 

[Still Farming]

@George from SJM Planning may help.
Guess Planning hardest part.

 

[deere 6600]

@George from SJM Planning may help.
Guess Planning hardest part.

Defo speak to a planning consultant who knows how the local planning rules work ,

 

[Still Farming]

Where are you based?
May help too?

 

[Yale]

Where are you based?
May help too?

Yes,in Wales iirc rules were changed to include retirement as a valid reason to build a bungalow.

 

[ollie989898]

Build annex on existing farmhouse would be my option and the one I intend to pursue here in time.

 

[Still Farming]

Yes,in Wales iirc rules were changed to include retirement as a valid reason to build a bungalow.

Gosh thought planners always said you could retire and live anywhere, and just refused?
Greenfield and not in LDP still out most likely???

 

[Yale]

https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-06/rural-enterprise-dwellings-guidance.pdf

2.13,second option.

I think this is current guidance even though it’s 2011.

An expert could confirm.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

More than happy to help.

I can see these two issues from the off:

1. Your main income is not from the farm, so therefore you do not need to live there as an agricultural worker.

2. You only live 3 miles away which is an acceptable distance to travel to support a relative with or without farm work.

Are there any small farm buildings that could be converted to a dwelling?

 

[George from SJM Planning]

https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-06/rural-enterprise-dwellings-guidance.pdf

2.13,second option.

I think this is current guidance even though it’s 2011.

An expert could confirm.

Wales are very proactive on the supportive when it comes to the generational transition of farming including multigenerational occupation of the holding.

 

[essexpete]

Gosh thought planners always said you could retire and live anywhere, and just refused?
Greenfield and not in LDP still out most likely???

That is what we were told some 30 years ago. I reckon it might depend on where you are located , council planner of the day and how well you present a case.

 

[Chickcatcher]

Please if you have an agent to do an application for you Please Please check what they actually put in the application. Recently applications done that I have an interest in have made enough of a balls up that there customer in my opinion shouldn't have paid there bill, this was for 3 applications on the same property and all with false information where the applicant nor the agent checked sufficiently what they had put in the application. Didn't do them any favours

 

[essexpete]

Please if you have an agent to do an application for you Please Please check what they actually put in the application. Recently applications done that I have an interest in have made enough of a balls up that there customer in my opinion shouldn't have paid there bill, this was for 3 applications on the same property and all with false information where the applicant nor the agent checked sufficiently what they had put in the application. Didn't do them any favours

Very good point. Twice in my adult life our family had planning applications submitted by professionals who had not done their home work or badly worded a document. On one of the occasions my late mother and I rehashed the application and got it through.

 

[Jonny_2]

Thank you for the replies. I’m happy to carry on driving down if I currently lived in a bigger house however we don’t and it’s holding us back a bit from starting a family.

Much of our yard is build around and off an L shaped brick barn with 2 steel portals to the side. Have already thought of the conversion route but can’t see how to do it without starting the farm yard all over again.

Is planning any easy for a log cabin or an eco style home?

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Thank you for the replies. I’m happy to carry on driving down if I currently lived in a bigger house however we don’t and it’s holding us back a bit from starting a family.

Much of our yard is build around and off an L shaped brick barn with 2 steel portals to the side. Have already thought of the conversion route but can’t see how to do it without starting the farm yard all over again.

Is planning any easy for a log cabin or an eco style home?

Log cabin within the garden of the farmhouse could be an option but outside of the defined garden it becomes just like any other house.

I would look at the conversion route even if you need to argue that the barn is not fit for purpose and a replacement is needed.

Any new dwellings in the countryside are strongly resisted so have a solid strategy in place before showing your hand.

 

[Yale]

I’d also say stick with it.

Planners try to scare you off,if they think you won’t go away and will push planning rules to the limit then generally they will try to work with you eventually.

Just don’t shout at them,be professional.

 

[TheTallGuy]

I’d also say stick with it.

Planners try to scare you off,if they think you won’t go away and will push planning rules to the limit then generally they will try to work with you eventually.

Just don’t shout at them,be professional.

At every step get them to back up anything that they say with a reference to the relevant law, guidance or policy. Then go and read up on those references to check that they're not trying it on or over-interpreting.