New Development Project

[rockits]

Well I have started the dialogue & process with the council pre-planning dept. This could be a short or long road but here goes.

We have a 2.5 acre plot with our house on the 0.5 acre with the 2 acre bit we would like to build on which is greenbelt. Not sure why it is greenbelt as nobody can really see it and one highway boundary is a dead end so no through traffic. The other boundary highway is a rural b road with little traffic.

The site is rural and we have 3 neighbours really with maybe 3-5 acres a piece. If there was a house on the 2 acre plot already you would never batter an eyelid. We know there was a cottage at the top bit of the 2 acre section maybe 50-100 years ago and another at the bottom longer ago than that.

Then the previous owner had the 2 acre plot pretty much filled with greenhouses when they moved in maybe 30 years ago. These were removed and it became 3 paddocks for horses with 3 outbuildings so a stable block and two other outbuilding used as tacking room and putting shed.

Has anyone firstly had any experience developing on their own land attached to their home?

Secondly has anyone done this on their land that is greenbelt?

Any help, advice, opinions or information is very much welcomed.

 

[conaero]

I would say that if there has previously been a house on that land then half the battle is done.

You may have to excavate the foundations and build on the original footprint though and then extend.

I would say it would be worth getting a specialist in on this to prepare your case for you.

Option 2 is retrofit all the greenhouses and use the space to buy more cars!

 

[Contigo]

Sell the land, far more lucrative.

 

[MarkMas]

I would say it is crucial to get the neighbors (near and far) on board, as most councils seem to be very sensitive to local objections.

 

[MarkMas]

This looks interesting:
https://urbanistarchitecture.co.uk/...ion-for-building-on-greenbelt-land-in-the-uk/
and
https://www.adamsmith.org/news/pres...o-build-one-million-new-homes-says-new-report

 

[safrane]

What type of house do you intend?

Ones that are needed by you area will be easier to pass... a large posh pad for city escapers not so.

 

[rockits]

I would say that if there has previously been a house on that land then half the battle is done.

You may have to excavate the foundations and build on the original footprint though and then extend.

I would say it would be worth getting a specialist in on this to prepare your case for you.

Option 2 is retrofit all the greenhouses and use the space to buy more cars!

I looked into this point and have been advised by planning that it only helps if the structure/building is still there now. There is apparently no consideration for anything that was there more years ago than any current neighbours or locals can remember. However the existing outbuildings/stable etc. may be more useful.

I had looked at get loads of barns or outbuildings knocked up to use for car storage for 3 years then applying for a change of use which is possible. Wish I had done that 3 years ago as it is 3 years since we moved in next month! Hindsight!!

I'm am going to do as much research as a I can and see if I can get a/some smaller house builders involved that may have planning consultants/architects in toe that work with them. They will likely be much more ready and informed to tackle this the best way.

 

[rockits]

Sell the land, far more lucrative.

Looked at that and it isn't really very lucrative without planning consent. Greenbelt land with no planning consent might be worth 50-200k for this 2 acres depending on what someone wants to pay.

 

[rockits]

This looks interesting:
https://urbanistarchitecture.co.uk/...ion-for-building-on-greenbelt-land-in-the-uk/
and
https://www.adamsmith.org/news/pres...o-build-one-million-new-homes-says-new-report

Thanks Mark. Very useful.

Yes been reading lots around this. There seems to be a big central govt. directive and desire to release some greenbelt and greenfield sites into the market to be developed. It is the easiest/quickest way to get real numbers of dwellings built. Nationally we are way behind the demand by some margin. I'm just trying to do my bit to help this crisis

 

[rockits]

What type of house do you intend?

Ones that are needed by you area will be easier to pass... a large posh pad for city escapers not so.

Agreed. One would be easy enough I think and in keeping. Two would be fine as well. More and there would need to be a desire from local planning/council to push it through as obviously more helps their numbers but local residents need to be in agreement. Luckily we don't have many neighbours but the same issues still apply. It then means we would maybe think about moving to a completely different location to live and am not sure I agree with more than 4 morally/locally or for the neighbours.

One would have 2 acres which in my opinion of keeping it for 3 years is too much. An acre a plot is perfect if you want plenty of space with a reasonable amount of controllable upkeep. To do 4 with 0.5 acres a piece would still work for all sides and is plenty of space for most. It is understanding the local council's directive and desires that would help. I think I might need to tap into an MP as a resource. I have helped and not hindered things for him so maybe this could be returned now.

 

[D Walker]

If you need a sleeping partner!!

 

[safrane]

It may be useful to find out from the local parish council what they have been asking for to assit with housing in the area.

If your plans are at odds with them you will find it so much harder and waste lots of money having drawing chages etc.

Also a large plot may be what you and others would like, but their view may be for a denser use of the land if that land is to be used for homes.

 

[rockits]

If you need a sleeping partner!!

I need an active partner I think. The money seems less of an issue but the help/guidance/time/research seems more important I think. I have had no shortage of well off 'friends' that will give me money for the project who don't want to get involved. I had an offer of £100k each from 3 people who would have been happy to take a 100% return on their investment over 12-24 months. They seemed to be taken a back a little when I said no thanks I think your mad! I said 'I'm no rocket scientist' but I think that sounds like a pretty greedy and unrealistic return. I wouldn't mind a few of those deals!

However that being said I would rather a couple of sleeping partners to invest a bit of cash and give them a very decent rate of interest/return rather than giving it to the scumbag banks that I hate with a passion! I will keep you posted Dave.

 

[rockits]

It may be useful to find out from the local parish council what they have been asking for to assit with housing in the area.

If your plans are at odds with them you will find it so much harder and waste lots of money having drawing chages etc.

Also a large plot may be what you and others would like, but their view may be for a denser use of the land if that land is to be used for homes.

Fairly easy answer to that one....they don't seem to want to build anything. The default answer is no really from the parish and we have a local greenbelt society guy always knocking on our door to make us aware of other projects that they always seem to oppose.

Being in a very technical industry and being a technical person one angle I have in my armoury is that I would make sure that any dwelling is 100% zero carbon. This is now quite possible and not just a pipe dream any more. In my eyes the site and project is a win win all round with no discernible downsides or impacts to others. There would be more tons more trees planted with none removed. It would be a much better use of the site for all. Much better than having 2 acres of greenhouses, barns or car storage that I would quite alright to do with no planning issue at all. It is possible that it could be a 2 acre site for storage of RV's etc. or maybe even the travelling community would be interested.

How much space do you need for a Go Kart track?!

 

[D Walker]

However that being said I would rather a couple of sleeping partners to invest a bit of cash and give them a very decent rate of interest/return rather than giving it to the scumbag banks that I hate with a passion! I will keep you posted Dave.

Seems reasonable. I'm not greedy or selfish. If I was closer I would help actively but like you my 50 hour weeks are quite full and my off time is busier than being at work!!

 

[rockits]

Understood and appreciated. I think there would still be an opportunity here for sure.

I am trying to take a little less work on and release some my workload to others a bit more so I can create more time for this over the next year or two. Although it might not even get that far yet if things don't go well or there if there are some very hard and thick walls put in my way! Has never stopped me before but we shall see.

 

[rockits]

Just been very kindly PM'd by a very nice forum member and given the details of a specialist planning solicitor that has used with good results and a glowing recommendation. I am dropping them a line to see if they can assist with the project.

 

[conaero]

Speak to your neighbours and say if planning is unsuccessful you may consider letting the local gypos to use it for a car boot every Sunday.

You won't get any objections then believe me.

 

[rockits]

Speak to your neighbours and say if planning is unsuccessful you may consider letting the local gypos to use it for a car boot every Sunday.

You won't get any objections then believe me.

I thought of that as well. That is in my armoury....great minds think alike! There is a traveller site in Welham Green in the next village. I'm sure they would oblige if offered a site but that option could be fraught with danger and another whole set of issues. The threat is a nice option. Two of the five neighbours that are in the square mile of us have built a new house in the last 10 years. One was a knockdown and rebuild 3 times the size of existing corner to corner. The other was a complete new build fresh on land owned by a nursery so 'workers' to be able to tend the nursery 24/7.

There has also been development further down the lane a couple of times in the last 10 years so certainly an active and accommodating area.

 

[voicey]

Get a planning consultant. Preferably one that has worked for the local planning department in the past. It'll be worth every penny.