"The next step..." Self build advice.

Tryingtobuild

Hi all,

Was hoping someone can shed some light on what my next step should be in regards to building a small house for myself.

Basically i'm in my twenties, struggling to find a house I can afford and my parents have offered my enough land on their garden for me to build a house.

So far we have measured out the land, done a basic topography of the area and now wondering what the next step is?
My Dad is an industrial builder by trade and has built a house before, but it was about 30 years ago and procedures have changed since then, he would like to do as much as possible ourselves but obviously in terms of planning we will have to use professionals throughout.

Is the Next step a "pre-application"? Do we just go to an architect and tell them what we'd like, they draw up a basic plan and then we submit it to the council?

What i'm asking is , is it time to get the relevant professionals in , or is there more I can do before I start racking up the various fees?

Many thanks for reading.

G_M

google (or duckduckgo!) 'self build houses'

There are lots of specialist websites to help you!


https://www.selfbuildportal.org.uk/


https://www.self-build.co.uk/


http://www.selfbuildanddesign.com/


etc

Doozergirl

You're going to have to commit to spending money.

Speak to an architect. Speak to them about the possibility of using a planning consultant also. It isn't usually very easy to get planning and it can help to be prepared and have all angles covered. It can be an uphill battle and consultants are better aquainted with Local Development Plans and the NPPF, and can demonstrate how a proposed development meets criteria.

System

Yes, it's time to get an architect involved, they should be able to look at your local development plan and then get a strategy for achieving planning permission.
There are a few who advertise themselves as self build specialists who may be able to give you more specific advise on the best route to delivery.
Interview a few architects and get someone you are comfortable with, if your dad is going to be building it, take him along too...
Loads of good sources of information around for self builders, you need to get yourself as up to speed as possible

ProDave

Ore application advice may or may nor be worth it. Whatever that tells you is not binding.

Go and join the Buildhub forum dedicated to self build and renovation https://www.buildhub.org.uk

Waterlily24

I would make sure you are allowed to build on the land first. Our neighbour wanted to build a house for his son on his grounds - he has about 4 acres but wasn't allowed to. We come under 'countryside' but not sure if he does.

lincroft1710

Do remember that if pp is refused you can appeal and "garden grab" application refusals are sometimes overturned on appeal.

Tryingtobuild

Thank you all for the replies, really helpful over all, especially the recommendation to look at buildhub.
Although it's literally next to the green belt it's still quite a residential area, it's just a part of the green belt that runs through the city (Sheffield).

I hadn't even thought of looking into a garden grab, so thankyou, lincroft1710.

And a big thanks to the_r_sole and doozergirl , that's pretty much exactly what I was looking to hear.


Cheers