Planning Permission for Business Query

scaredofdebt

I have a business idea but need a few questions answering before I know if it's a goer, so any comments are welcome, especially if you have the relevant experience/knowledge!

The basic idea is nothing new, I want to start a holiday home business, specifically hiring out log cabins. The business has a bit more to it than that, but my questions are around the following:

1. I have seen some suitable land, it's about 5 acres on the edge of a national park (Not an AOONB etc), there is a road next to the land and access from major trunk roads is only a few miles away. The land is designated as "farm land" currently, looks like rough grazing, does anyone have experience of plannning permission regards this type of scenario? I would be building a few cabins on the land, probably 10 or so and constructing a gravel road to service them. The land is quite secluded with nobody overlooking it and the nearest houses are around 1 mile away.

2. What are timescales like from getting the plans drawn up to getting permission? Weeks, months, years?

3. Obviously I will have to buy the land, pay for plans/planning permission, buy the log cabins, furnish them, pay for the road to be built, insurance (I have costs for all of these) but what other costs do I need to take into account? I would initially live on site and do the cleaning, basic maintenance, reception work myself (with my partner) and I can also built my own website and booking/payment handling system, anything else to take into account?

Thanks for any comments.

Browntoa

A simple call to your local planning department will clarify the possibility to explain the scheme and ask what the possibility is

Browntoa

http://britishlogcabins.com/log-home-planning-permission/

scaredofdebt

Many thanks, that final paragraph is quite hopeful, I shall ring them today!

lincroft1710

Some planning authorities appear to be very slow regarding certain types of applications, so I would think in terms of months rather than weeks.

PasturesNew

You can use solar ... or just go without .... but where's the wee and doo doo going?

daveyjp

Many local authorities now have a pre application process.

Once an application is made the authority will provide an official response on whether the development would be likely to get permission and what reports you would need to provide for a decision to be made.

If they think the development is acceptable it will take many months for you to get the info they will require even before the apllication is considered.

Robin9

Have you got a budget for this - purchase of land, development costs - utilities can cost a fortune.

My guess £1/2m

Running costs, - ??? - £50/75k

scaredofdebt

Robin9 wrote: »

Have you got a budget for this - purchase of land, development costs - utilities can cost a fortune.

My guess £1/2m

Running costs, - ??? - £50/75k

Where are you getting those figures from?

I've seen suitable land for £25k but obviously that's without planning permission, hence this thread. The planning department have a monthly planning surgery and I am attending their next one for more details.

Thanks everyone.

lincroft1710

If you can get suitable land for £25K and at a later date get pp, that would be a great start to your venture!

Owain_Moneysaver

If utilities aren't running in that road past the last, connection could be very expensive. If mains sewerage isn't available you could be talking £5000+ per cabin for a modern sewage treatment plant.

Electricity connection for a ten-cabin new development could need a new substation and overhead lines. If the local network is already operating at a maximum capacity your connection may be the trigger for network reinforcement, and a proportion of these costs will be attributed to your quotation. Network reinforcement costs vary across voltage levels, with low voltage reinforcement typically costing less than reinforcement at Extra High Voltage.

Planning authorities are likely to specify a site road made up to adoptable standards and certainly something that will accommodate a fire engine (with turning area). A gravel road is highly unlikely to be accepted - and you'll also need a road the delivery lorries can get up.

Be aware there can be considerable difference in planning terms between a caravan/camping site and a holiday home park, even though the actual 'cabins' may look very similar.