Living In A Log Cabin Home In The UK
Our quest in 2012 is to build our own Log Cabin in the UK and live in it, we are going to have a large plot to grow fruit and vegetables, keep Chickens for free range eggs and an array of other beneficial animals.
Why are we doing this?
Well for one we have had a change of circumstances in our lives. I
own a home already and currently we rent one in a different part of
the country. Living expenses are outrageous right now and are only
going to get worse. We are in the depths of a recession and our
lives are revolving around 'Living to work' not 'Working to live.' I
have been running this website for almost a decade now teaching
everyday people what can be done to live more sustainably, produce
carbon neutral heating and power and live better for less. I have
implemented many of my teachings into my life and have now decided I
would like to implement them all.
Opportunity to build a Log Cabin Home.
We have a unique opportunity to make use of some land within
someone's home and grounds to build our very own, 100% off grid,
self sufficient Log Cabin Home.
Comments welcomed from Log Cabin Home Owners
We would like to encourage anyone in the UK to submit comments about
living in a Log Cabin Home full time. We would like to discuss
planning permission, legalities, advise, experiences and more. If
you are currently or have previously lived in a Log Cabin Home in
the UK then please add your comments below.
Less is more with our new life changes.
Myself and my Partner currently run 4 businesses in the UK and would
like to turn all our attention to
www.homebrewpower.co.uk
for the last 9 years I have run this website in my own time, usually
in the small hours of the night, after a long day at work. Now our
circumstances have changed we are hoping to commit lots more time to
this website and provide our readers with much more knowledge and
information on Renewable Energy & Self Sufficiency.
Whilst researching Log Cabin Homes for permanent living I have come across some fantastic websites that have inspired me and educated me.
What inspired me the most on my voyage to building a Log Cabin Home was the story of Richard Louis "Dick" Proenneke (May 4, 1916–April 20, 2003) Who decided in May 1968 that he would try and live in harmony with nature in Alaska at a place called Twin Lakes. He hand built a Log Cabin Home and lived there for an entire year, from then on Dick decided that he would continue to live at Twin Lakes and did so for an additional 29 years. Dick made daily entries into his diaries about both his surroundings and daily life out at Twin Lakes Alaska.
Building A Domestic Log Cabin In England - The Law
Under new rules your log cabin will need to be less than 2.5m ridge
height if within 2m of a boundary.
Wales and Scotland have slightly different laws surrounding
planning and are not not included within this guide.
Advice and tips for log cabin planning permission.
The log cabin must be less than 4m high with a pitched roof or 3m
with a flat roof. (still applies everywhere for log cabins more than
2m from a boundary)
Choose a cabin with a reduced ridge height (2.5m) if building close
to a boundary fence.
If the floor area of the building is less than 15 metres square,
it can be sited close to a boundary. (must be less than 2.5m ridge
height)
(Allow a minimum 0.5 metre gap to allow maintenance of your boundary
and cabin.)
If between 15 and 30 metres square there should be at least 1 metre
to any boundary to comply with building regulations.
The log cabin should take up less than 50% of the garden
surrounding the house.
Planning Portal Guide
Click here to visit the
planning portal: Planning portal
You will need to apply for planning permission if any of the
following cases apply on the land around your house.
You want to put up a building or structure which would be nearer to
any highway than the nearest part of the "original house", unless
there would be at least 20 metres between the new building and any
highway. The term "highway" includes public roads, footpaths,
bridleways and byways.
If ore than half (50%) the area of land around the "original house"
would be covered by additions or other buildings. (Please note: 30%
of the garden area in Scotland)
The building or structure is not to be used for domestic purposes
and is to be used instead, for example, for parking a commercial
vehicle, running a business or for storing goods in connection with
a business.
You want to put up a building or structure which is more than 3
metres high, or more than 4 metres high if it has a ridged roof.
(Measure from the highest ground next to it.)
If your house is a listed building, and you want to put up a
building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres.
If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Broads, you want to put up a
building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres
(though it might be allowable as an extension)
The term "Original House" refers the house as it was first built or
as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date).
Although you may not have built an extension to the house yourself,
a previous owner may have done so.
If you have any concerns about a legal problem involving planning
you should get professional advice or ask your local planning
department.
For peace of mind we advise you to contact your local development
control officer. It is likely they will ask you to submit a plan
indicating where and what you intend to build. Your council should
not apply any fees for this type of enquiry as this is not a
planning application as such.
Information to include with your submission:
An accurate dimensioned plan of your site showing cabin orientation,
your home and clearly marked boundaries. This should be to scale
1:100 or 1:50
A photograph of your site.
A proposed site layout plan.
A picture of your proposed log cabin.
Proposed floor dimensions of your log cabin.
Whilst it is useful to have a site plan as shown above you should
also submit a dimensioned drawing to scale probably 1:100 or 1:50
It is advisable to point out in your accompanying letter how you
have complied with current rules.
Finally, await receipt of a letter confirming that your development
has been accepted prior to building your cabin. Councils do vary but
response to this type of enquiry is normally fairly quick. (1 or 2
weeks)
This may seem like a time consuming process but obtaining approval
secures peace of mind and ensures that if you sell your property in
the future you can furnish your buyer's solicitor with written
approval from development control.
Please leave your comment on Living In A Log Cabin In The UK Below.