We received a quote from Western Power Distribution this week for the cost of getting electricity to the barn. Thankfully there are some power lines running pretty close to the property so we don't need any poles installed. However, as they are high voltage lines we need a transformer installed which pushes the price up to just under £4600.
A good chunk of the work is described as 'contestable' which I think means we can do the work ourselves. However there is no explanation of this in the material they sent - I'll have to give them a ring next week.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Waiting & waiting
Sometimes you just have to hold your breath and count to ten!
Our planning permission was supposed to have been decided on the 30th November 2009. Everything looked positive until Devon County Council decided to change their mind at the last minute on a Section 106 Agreement we had drawn up with them.
The Agreement concerns some passing bays we need to construct in the lane to the barn. Because of their change of mind we have had to agree to pay Devon County Council's costs in re-drawing the application (up to £1,000) plus engage the services of a highways consultant (about £900). And this is on top of the cost of doing the original Section 106 Agreement plus paying our solicitors to negotiate with DCC. Plus they are now nearly 3 months over their target date to make a decision.
I can now see why so many people end up having to sell their dream site/property because of this constant trickle of unforeseen costs!
So as of the 12th of Feb 2010 we still don't have our planning permission!
Our planning permission was supposed to have been decided on the 30th November 2009. Everything looked positive until Devon County Council decided to change their mind at the last minute on a Section 106 Agreement we had drawn up with them.
The Agreement concerns some passing bays we need to construct in the lane to the barn. Because of their change of mind we have had to agree to pay Devon County Council's costs in re-drawing the application (up to £1,000) plus engage the services of a highways consultant (about £900). And this is on top of the cost of doing the original Section 106 Agreement plus paying our solicitors to negotiate with DCC. Plus they are now nearly 3 months over their target date to make a decision.
I can now see why so many people end up having to sell their dream site/property because of this constant trickle of unforeseen costs!
So as of the 12th of Feb 2010 we still don't have our planning permission!
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Barns in the Snow
Still no word on the planning permission! However here's some pictures of the barns in today's snow:
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Potential Builder No. 1
Spent most of today up on Dartmoor visiting a farmhouse where potential builder no. 1 has been working. Seemed like a very nice chap and the couple who own the farmhouse couldn't sing his praises highly enough.
All the work appeared to have been done very competently and we could definitely get on with him so he's definitely in the running so far.
Biomass boilers - some thoughts
We're interested in using anything other than oil for heating and hot water so it was interesting to be shown a woodchip boiler system today. Initial reaction was the size of the set-up needed. These guys had a fairly substantial barn given over to the boiler/water tank and the chip store/feeder. at this stage I don't think we could accomodate all of the equipment needed. I'm also a bit worried about the frequency that the woodchips need replenishing.
All the work appeared to have been done very competently and we could definitely get on with him so he's definitely in the running so far.
Biomass boilers - some thoughts
We're interested in using anything other than oil for heating and hot water so it was interesting to be shown a woodchip boiler system today. Initial reaction was the size of the set-up needed. These guys had a fairly substantial barn given over to the boiler/water tank and the chip store/feeder. at this stage I don't think we could accomodate all of the equipment needed. I'm also a bit worried about the frequency that the woodchips need replenishing.
The Start of the Story...
Well actually it's not the start of the story - it's some way into it but this is where the blog starts!
As of the beginning of January 2010 here's where we're at:
- We've spent over £11k on planning advice, architectural advice & drawings, structural survey, wildlife survey, visual impact assessment, archeaological survey, planning application fees, Section 106 agreements etc etc.
- We've committed to paying a large sum of Capital Gains Tax in return for the barns being transferred to us by ma & pa.
- We're on our third planning application (the first being made in September 2008).
- SHDC have missed their target date of 30th November 2009 to make a decision thanks largely to Devon County Council changing their mind at the last minute regarding the surface of a passing bay in the lane to the barn.
However, looking at the bright side, 2010 looks like the year we finally get planning permission and embark on our big barn conversion adventure (funds permitting).
If you want to view our planning application click here
As of the beginning of January 2010 here's where we're at:
- We've spent over £11k on planning advice, architectural advice & drawings, structural survey, wildlife survey, visual impact assessment, archeaological survey, planning application fees, Section 106 agreements etc etc.
- We've committed to paying a large sum of Capital Gains Tax in return for the barns being transferred to us by ma & pa.
- We're on our third planning application (the first being made in September 2008).
- SHDC have missed their target date of 30th November 2009 to make a decision thanks largely to Devon County Council changing their mind at the last minute regarding the surface of a passing bay in the lane to the barn.
However, looking at the bright side, 2010 looks like the year we finally get planning permission and embark on our big barn conversion adventure (funds permitting).
If you want to view our planning application click here
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