Watty's Awakening

Suffolk_lass

Well seasoned softwood burns faster and not as hot as the equivalent hardwood. Scrap wood needs the front closed and will leave tarry deposits, from any sap or treatments. Adding ash on top of what you burn will slow it down, if the heat is too hot and immediate. Also, make sure he is nearer any draught than you! I love a rug over my feet and ankles, but that now comes with a dog on top!

Watty1

Suffolk_lass said:

Well seasoned softwood burns faster and not as hot as the equivalent hardwood. Scrap wood needs the front closed and will leave tarry deposits, from any sap or treatments. Adding ash on top of what you burn will slow it down, if the heat is too hot and immediate. Also, make sure he is nearer any draught than you! I love a rug over my feet and ankles, but that now comes with a dog on top!

Thank you!  The wood laying around is mix of scrap and old trees!   I will note your advice.

Watty1

So, I "did a thing".    Whilst negotiating with PPH I explored the possibility of getting planning on a barn here to convert to a one bedroom dwelling.  At the pre-app the answer was a "no new build in the countryside" and I raised the question of the plans for a 'garden village' and was told that was not relevant.  Time has marched on and I have left the pictures of the conversion on my vision board with no real hope but not quite ready to move that to the dreams pile rather than goal plan.

Some months ago there was a community engagement meeting and I went along and raised the predicament I find myself in. I cannot convert my barn due to the "no new builds" policy, but my house as an equestrian property is unsalable according to specialist estate agencies unless I drop the price to well below the value it would be without the proposed "garden village" as no one will, they believe, risk buying given it may be on a housing estate.  I explained why I wanted to sell the house (I didn't mention financial gain, merely that I have no need for a 3 bedroom house that is a mental health issue due to trauma).  Gradually I worked my way around the room and was asked if I would be willing to sell the land for housing.  Indeed, said I, but that does nothing for me "now" rather that is a "long term" proposition.     Hmm, they all said, speak to the next rung in the hierarchy.  And so on.

Eventually head lady was sympathetic, especially when I said I was open to "a deal" of "special circumstances" i.e. planning permission for a lodge or park home and that to be revoked if the village goes ahead.

Subsequently there have been a few phone calls and I am now on first name terms with her secretary who also happens to be secretary to someone of significance in the plans. Last week I had a call from  secretary's other boss, Mr "head of garden village" who suggests I reapply for planning permission as the area is now considered "sustainable"; that I make submissions on the need for equine provision to the consultation in Autumn 2025 and then at some point in 2026 I could maybe look at selling the land, but, the current plans only take agricultural farming land from large landowners not small landowners so he was none to sure about that, but, suggested I start with getting planning permission advice from the authority.

It seems there is a fair chance that the local authority might approve my conversion and so have invested £440 in this today and uploaded all the documents needed.    I then emailed Mr head person and the team leader he got to reach out to me with my reference number and asked if they would kindly check it was ok as it is "just me" doing this rather than a planning consultant who would know "the ropes"  (I don't want a consultant on board at this stage)

I am trying not to get excited about this - but - @Humdinger1 - the financial independence could be achieved as I genuinely believe the barn could be converted for a reasonable sum which gives me options.  For example I would then be able to sell the Cottage and still have a property with stables, which, maybe I could rent out when I move to somewhere with glorious hacking which is my ultimate dream, having the money from the house sale and rental income to purchase said place.  There are all sorts of options open if this works - but lets start at the ground floor.

As I say, trying not to be excited about the possibilities but the first step was to apply for the planning advice from the Local Planning Authority, so, today I took the first step on that journey.

KajiKita

Well done for persisting with this. 

And many, many 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 for the application process …

KK

Humdinger1

Hurray @Watty1! Fab plans...I feel the stars aligning!! Thank you for sharing; this isn't a hint of a wafer-thin mint, more of a Black Forest gateau with extra chocolate, cream and fanciness.  Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

Cherryfudge

Ooh, this is exciting!

Watty1

Thank you @KajiKita, @Humdinger1 and @Cherryfudge

Having got excited about this venture some years ago I am trying  hard not to be hopeful this time.   I used to work for a man who often said keep throwing the balls in the air. The more balls that go up, the more likely it is that one will come good.  This is one of those balls.   Having thrown it up, I now need to get on with regular life. Monday and back to work .  

greenbee

Great news - but you're also in a very different place now in that you know you have other options and have considered them seriously. So this would be a nice-to-have, but you don't have everything riding on it. 

Re. the woodburner - yes, they're a faff, but if you have a lot of wood around then it'll cut your outgoings if you can get into a routine (as a child our primary heating was a woodburner in the hall that never went out and had to be fed twice a day, supplementing a solid fuel aga and a fire in the small snug... it was a long thin house and until we got the log burner we would race from the kitchen to the snug to avoid freezing!). It might be worth replacing the radiator with a larger one. After all, as well as making the house saleable, you need it to be comfortable for the rest of the time you are there. Try the CS for long, thick, heavy, curtains in front of the draughty windows. Or layer fleeces behind existing curtains. 

Stinky is sending sympathy to WattyDog. He overdid it on Saturday so is very tired and has sore paws and chose to spend most of yesterday in his crate. 

doingitanyway

Sending out positive vibes for your exciting plans 

Fortune_Smiles

Well done Watty!  And fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

Fortune x