1.put in an outline application with 3 or 4 alternative indicative designs (plans only),
planners do not know which one is real (usually i include an underground version).
2.always go for much more than you actually want.
3.always go to appeal.
(lots more to say, but this might kick it off)

Well 'have just had the pre-app' advice back from LPA, essentially the view seems to be that the application has to stand on its own feet but could swing things at committee.

However am now preparing the application and will include a draft Code for Sustainable home Rating.

One of the challenges seems to be actually getting the oficers to actually read what you submit.. since the introduction of Design and Access statements we are forever having to refer the officer back to said document in answer to questions already addressed therein, showing that they blatantly brush over any supporting info. Covering letters are also no good as I 've just found out officers don't actually open they're own mail, as soon as the admin office sees its an application it all gets shoved into a pile of new app's given to whichever officer is available...

I think the best thing is to get the policy references, sustainability approach physically on the drawing, as well as in a supporting info pack.

J

Urban infill plot on a street, I would like to think that I designed it to relate pretty well with the streetscene, indeed no negative comments at pre-app re the building only a concern about amenity space.

The hope was that the sustainability may allow some leniency in the rather prescriptive guidance used

One of the big issues is that pre-app advise seems to all too often in my experience to not reflect in the determination, and its a bit of a lottery as to whether the officer who gave the pre app advice would be the one to actually determine the application.

J

The issue was more the fact that the garden was at the end of a 10m long path, but plenty of total space, am speaking to a landscape architect I know 2moro so we can add some real design input, and make it work a bit better, the pre app drawing only showed the 'red-line'.

To be honest decided against the outline application, as the LA here tend to ask for nearly as much info at outline stage so bit of a waste of time.

J

They need to learn what it means first!

Hi,

Found this thread on google when looking for help with eco house planning permission. I have gone through pre-application discussion (although there wasn't much discussion from the planning dept and they took 3 months to get back to me) for an earth sheltered home to be built in the countryside and used for sustainable living.

The councils Housing in the Countryside policy has the following wording. "Pilot projects creating eco-friendly houses. Such proposals may be supported where a rural setting is required and the project is linked to the management of land or use of land for sustainable living". There is no supplementary guidance to support this one line. The planning officer I spoke to wasn't entirely supportive of my proposal and admitted that there isn't enough detail in this policy to allow them to make an informed decision. Does anyone know of a more detailed local authority policy on building an eco house that I can make reference to?

I have even tried the Scottish Government planning dept and they don't have any policies or guidance for eco homes/communities. As an aside the planner I spoke to said than an earth sheltered carbon neutral home with rainwater harvesting, ground source heat pump, reed bed system etc may not be 'innovative' enough to meet their intention behind the policy!!

Any guidance much appreciated.

Stuart

Thanks Ted,

You are right it is a bit OTT for a single house and looks to be more applicable to a community living entirely off the land. Not sure if this is a very open minded forward thinking council or if this policy is designed to make it very difficult to get planning for this kind of development.

stuart, earth sheltered eco-houses are not at all innovative. if it was a way of getting round planning policies everyone would do it, lots have tried (get in touch with BESA...british earth sheltering organisation) for some examples of failures and successes).the environmental effects of a building do not disappear if it is underground e.g car, washing,garden etc.
unless you are working on the land, the most sustainable place to build, and where you can more easily obtain planning permission, is within existing urban areas (this does not necessarily mean cities). there are still plenty of sites in towns and villages not washed over by green belt but you have to search for them.
to discuss phone 01424 752311

Semi detached option submitted to LPA for further pre-app; eminently achievable comments returned from officer, next stop application.

Interestingly, we discussed a CSH rating and there wasn't much interest, however he said that it could 'play well' at committee if it went that way.

J

Just for info..I was told that "eco friendly and sustainable" carries no weight with the planners because ALL approved houses are considered sustainable (or they wouldn't be approved). Obviously their definition of sustainable differs.

Generally the concept of sustainability doesn't stretch far beyond location. Thats why any approved leaky house is considered in a 'sustainable location' because it is in a town or within a village settlement boundary (which is understandable), even though the occupant is perfectly entitled to commute 50 miles each way to work somewhere else, every day, in a big car, on their own.
If your house is CSH 6 and you walk/cycle a mile or two to work, it doesn't matter if your proposed house is just the other side of the line on the map - it is considered unsustainable.

My experience in scotland for what it is worth is that eco features carry very little weight with the planners despite the fact that they are supposed to. I think this is because alot of people (developers?) have been trying to jump on the eco band wagon to try to get permission when in fact their schemes are not that eco at all. We went straight to detailed and initially all the planner was interested in were normal planning issues, ie planting schemes, ridge height, roof style, roof coverings, massing etc and he was initially not keen at all on the plan. However at a meeting with him and the architect, the design was explained to him in detail and the reasons behind the design including things like the passive solar, balconies for shading etc. The planner then did a complete u turn and recommended for approval. Saying 'I wouldnt want to face this in an appeal'. I think this was due to the green element. However, my undertanding is that the planning law on appeals has just changed and so the appeal now goes back to the comittee that originally refused it! Crazy.

The planners at Scottish Borders were remarkably sympathetic and well informed. Friends in Hs&Is have said much the same.

Stuart, We are building in Scottish Borders. We put the DPP in and just waited. Didnt call them, just waited for them. With the instructions that if they were going to refuse they should tell us and we would withdraw. It went far outside their own timeframes. Their deadline came and went then a few weeks later they wanted to meet up. So you could be waiting a while. As an example we applied in Nov, met up in Feb, received permission in March!

Looks great! Is it south facing?