[lachlanandmarcus]

If the smallholding is genuinely viable in terms of profit then the council WILL be sympathetic but only if you can show it in terms of proper business plans and evidence. So I wouldnt give up - the issue will be in many cases than once on paper with all the costs properly accounted for, most smallholdings dont produce more than hobby money, if that.
The issue for the council is that unless a proposal ticks all the boxes, an agreement to allow new homes in the countryside then gives the executive homes wallahs a great lever for getting their PP for the tickytacky boxes we all hate.

[bluejules]

Hi Doganjo, I think that the log cabin companies tend not to get involved as this sort of planning application is, typically, very complicated and relies very much on the view taken by the local planning authority. The company I phoned did give me some good advice but it was still down to us to get the plan together and do the research.

[colliewoman]

Until you actually apply for Planning Permission you can't know if you will get it.  Pre-guessing the result is surely non-productive.   The place sounds ideal for you and as you have animals there already it would be a shame to get rid of them before you know if that is going to be necessary.
Getting permissions and then building are some of the most stressful parts of life - it never goes smoothly and all you can do is keep looking towards once it's all finished.
Don't give up without a fight 

Also, even if they turn you down the 1st time you can always re-apply.
Sometimes it is worth looking from all angles, I know someone who applied for permission 20 years ago, was refused but still lives there


See if you can get a copy of 'field to farm' as it explains all the different ways you can do exactly what  you are wanting to.


I have had the bad side of the enforcement officers, I had to rip down my static but I'm still here and fighting
Is your landlord in support? How about the farmer who would be able to see your new dwelling? If you can get support (especially written) from him/her it would be fab, the councils don't like hassle. If you can show them there won't be any grief from neighbors that will be a giant tick towards them giving PP.
 It shouldn't be like that perhaps, but it is

[smiley bucket]

http://www.tlio.org.uk/chapter7/diy.html although I am not sure if it's up to date.  there's field to farm too, but you have to buy the book to access some parts of their forum.  Good luck 

[Rosemary]

If all else fails, we could all come round and duff up the planners 

[bluejules]

If all else fails, we could all come round and duff up the planners 

I think I'm going to like this forum...

And yes, the landlord is very supportive of the plans.
The farm at the top of the hill consists of a stone farmhouse and about eight static caravans (I kid you not). Apparently, according to the locals they have never had permission for any of these, but I don't know. They've certainly been there for over five years. Can't see that they'd object but it may be worth a visit 'up the hill'  (if we're brave enough!)

[pauljay]

Welcome to the world of planning.  I reckon that the reason you have received conflicting advice is that there is not one right answer. 

Earlier this year we finished building our dream home, after owning the land for about 10 years.  (Partly due to my working away a lot of that time) 

The first scheme we put forward was thrown out, as was the appeal against the decision.  This was after the local planning officer gave, what we thought was, a green light.  Using a planning consultant was a good move though as he established that we had a certifcate of lawful use of a residential caravan on the site.

Using a local architect, who knew his way around the local planning pecularities, was also an advantage.

Although our circumstances are different, I can only echo Fleecewife's encouragement.  Don't give up.  Nothing succeeds like persistence.

My own advice on top of that would be not to get wound up about it.  It will only damage your health.  The dream will come true in the end.

Remember the old story of the two frogs who fell into the bowl of cream!

Pauljay

[Rosemary]

Remember the old story of the two frogs who fell into the bowl of cream!

I may regret this but I haven't heard that old story 

[pauljay]

This tale can be dragged out as long and as theatrically as you like but briefly:

Two frogs somehow fell into a bowl of cream.  1st frog says to t'other "what shall we do?"

"Keep swimming" says 2nd frog.

So they swim and swim and swim until 1st frog says "That's it I'm tired. Can't do this any more "  He/she stops swimming and sinks.  End of frog.

2nd frog carries on swimming all that day and all that night and as dawn breaks again he finds himself/herself on the top of a block of butter; hops off and carries on living the frog dream.

[doganjo]

I've just spent 4 years nearly and about £4000 getting planning in principle for my plot in Aberdeenshire - against unhelpful and objecting (or objectionable as my kids called them  ) neighbours who used to be friends - when I lived there and owned most of the land in the hamlet.  After three applications we finally got it.  So take heart and hang on in there

[moony]

Getting planning is a very expensive, frustrating and time consuming procedure with no guarentees of success. It can take years. I would never ever do it on rented land no matter how well I got on with the landlord. You would be spending money to do nothing but increase the value of their land. Which makes no sense if you then wish to buy it. If you want to apply buy the land first. You will potentially be adding thousands onto the value if you are successful, which you will then have to find to buy it having already been out of pocket from the planning procedure.

[bluejules]

We can't buy the land until we have planning permission for a temporary dwelling as we need to sell our current house to get the money to buy the land. So it's a bit Catch 22. But once we've got planning permission we can put this house on the market.

I'm so sick and tired of having to work 14 hour days because of crippling mortgage payments and crashing house prices that even the animals' barn is starting to look appealing!

[Lesley Silvester]

Maybe you should just move in with the animals.   

I've not been in your position but it sounds horrific.  I would keep trying though.  Being persistent often wins through.

[bluejules]

Just one question - does any ever get planning permission for a temporary dwelling without suffering high levels of stress, huge financial loss and massive amounts of time being wasted?

I don't think I've heard of one case where things have just been straightforward and the permission has been granted. Is the system geared to put people off applying?

[katie]

In a word, Yes!

It is not reasonable to have to go cap in hand for permission to live on the land you genuinely want to farm ( 'genuinely' being the important word) and it is not reasonable to force you to live in a mobile home while you see if a business is viable. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible. Now, with things being in such disarray, it might be a bit easier but I doubt it. You also guarantee that the neighbours will weigh in with vicious untruths about your personal shortcomings.
Good luck. Don't take it all personally.

Katie