What should rural homes look like?

[Alison]

If you follow someone else's plans, that have worked out all of those things, then why should you/would you pay someone else to do the exact same thing? The couple of hundred thousand paid in the normal housing market isn't real, it's artificially inflated, and had little to do with whether this man's house is safe or not.
Neither do planning laws or building regs prevent unscrupulous building companies from cutting corners and building unsafe houses; my OH worked on building sites for a few years as a tiler and we would NEVER buy or live in a new build that we hadn't been in charge of ourselves...

As somebody who has worked in the construction industry for over 20 years and is a chartered engineer I have this discussion regularly with people. Whilst there will be some similarities with an identical property which has been built previously, you still need to look at the ground conditions (foundations being of vital importance ) and things such as local external conditions (wind etc) can have a surprisingly significant effect. It really does matter and just because something looks right when it is first built doesn't mean that it will be OK after a big storm.

I do however think that some of the other points you make re things being in keeping have got out of hand. Also about things being built by the big boys in the wrong place. There are some flats (sorry, executive apartments......) near us which were built a few years ago and they aren't remotely in keeping with the other properties and are bloomin' horrible. I know for a fact that they weren't built to the planning drawings and the developer got through the changes on appeal but at least he had applied for planning in the first place. Just because the system is being implemented poorly and the big boys aren't playing fair doesn't mean that it should all be thrown away. Some level of control is vital and if we all ignore that they you could well get the scenario that you get a large block of unsafe flats at the bottom of your garden. Ah but would that be different? People don't mind the eco house because it looks pretty and is relatively small, somebody else might disagree and where do you draw the line? Regardless of the look of this house, this guy chose to ignore the rules and for him to think that he knows better is an arrogant stance. Would there be quite as much discussion about it if it was an ugly brick of a place, also built without planning. One thing is clear though is that there is FAR more to this than we know.

[Newton]

What do we get out of it? Nothing.

That's what the planning system is set up for. If you dance to their tune, build a house that looks like a 'little box on the hillside', then you're a-okay. Step outside of that in any way, you've had it. Personally, I'd rather see 70+ houses that are low and blend in with the hillside, than 70+ 'made out of ticky-tacky and they all look the same'.

I agree with the little boxes statement. Design is important........but you will get increased economic activity with more people living nearby. That is important too for local businesses to prosper.

The park will also be protected.......

You might not get anything out of it personally, unless you are the land owner or the beneficiary of a 106 agreement but you are coming accross a bit NIMBY......

As we all re to be fair!

[Mikey]

I haven't read through the whole thread, but Pembrokeshire council don't have a problem with this kind of building. The steiner school near Maenclochog is build in a very similar way.

Here see their site for reference, if you decide not to get planning you should expect to get everything torn down by planners. How can the planners and building regs accept a building when they have not had the opportunity to check it during the building process. It might not adhere to safe electrical or waste management, it might not have sufficient energy saving, its a beautiful property there is no doubt, but you have to do things through the right channels. Planners and building regs are there to help you construct a safe home to appropriate guidelines, I've come across some awkward ones in my time, but most will look to assist you rather than stop you.

[Potstubsdustbins]

There is no way that that building will get retrospective,if for no other reason than there is no practical way to check the footing piles under the padstones for the "pillars" that hold the structure together.

Thats one of the problems I was refering to amateurs tend not to worry to much about whats under ground.

Again I love the bit of the house we can see, but fear as usual we are only getting one side of the story, I can't help but 'smell a rat under the bed'.

Potty

[Martin H]

It's made it onto the BBC news now: BBC News - Eco 'hobbit home' in Pembrokeshire faces demolition

[bearded bloke]

Will be debated on Jeremy Vine next I suspect

[Seahorse]

I think it's beautiful, it appears practical and looks to be a lovely home for a young couple and their baby. Much better than little boxes on a hillside and I have great empathy with all those above who are talking about pushing 'the system' into changing. However, like all stories that are deemed 'newsworthy' there's obviously more to it and I think it's significant that the two Grapes who are actually local to this and have much more information have major reservations.

Lots of things make a good news story. They're rarely black and white.

[zazen999]

Ah, Wilderness! Mountain Man vs. the Building Inspector - WSJ.com

Another one...

[RedThorn]

Oi Z! don't get 'em going again!!!

[bearded bloke]

He is running that place as a business so it will need to comply loads reg's,if not for his own health & safety then for that of his customers.

[bearded bloke]

Oi Z! don't get 'em going again!!!

Whoops,I was typing while you posted

[zazen999]

He is running that place as a business so it will need to comply loads reg's,if not for his own health & safety then for that of his customers.

The point is, his business IS the great outdoors. Kind of defeats the object when it has to be indoors. And the outdoor kitchen has to sealed away from insects and animals.

And the business is a not for profit one, different from a profit making enterprise.

I'd be interested in how many accidents or injuries have occurred on site due to lack of toilets in the tshirts sales area.

[bearded bloke]

Whether it is profit making or not,he is charging for a service so it is undeniably a business & as such will need to comply with regulations,end of.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Does anyone mind if I go the other way with this one.

I did many hours of out door suvival training with the army, no loos of any kind just a shovel for the obvious. No shelter for us (unless we made it) never mind our food.

I was lucky after basic training I was in the armoured corp so had my own transport with lots of little boxes on it. Our kitchen was a canvas bucket and a paraffin stove but still no loo.

Can't remember the council turning up with the sherriff to look after us though.

Now I know the rules are the rules but how can you teach people to live in the wilderness if you don't put them there.

Potty

[bearded bloke]

Fair enough Potty but the army were paying you to be there,not you paying them