Retention planning for log cabin

Zeus2020

Registered User
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hope someone can help I have lived in a log cabin for 13 years continuously I don’t have planning but would like to get it now what do I have to do
Somebody was saying that I just need an engineer to mark it out because I’ve been there for so long but is it that simple really
I had no letters from council in all the time I’m there but will I be drawing unnecessary trouble on myself now
 
Anything useful here?
 
Thanks clubman but it’s about looking for planning I have been living in mine for 13 years and on the same site for 18 years had a smaller mobile log cabin prior to building permanent logcabin
 
Living there for so long does not make retention any easier. In order to obtain retention now, you will effectively need to go through most of what's required for new planning. The cabin and waste treatment systems need to comply fully with building regulations as they stand.

The only thing the length of time gives you is certain protections from the authority seeking an enforcement order for you to restore the site.
 
What's motivating you to look for planning permission now, given you appear to be protected from an enforcement order being served on you?
 
I put the cabin on a site that my brother gave me and attached it to his esb he has passed away and the farm and house is left to siblings equally which is totally unworkable they are trying to push me to take the house and they want the land which is more valuable I like to know where I stand really so if anyone can help I really appreciate it
 
There is an FB page 'Log Cabins Ireland Forum', planning questions are always being asked, might be worth a look. Seems it varies very much between counties as to what they will allow and usually from my reading the house has to look like an ordinary house as such so may need to clad/plaster it rather than a wooden outside. Basically turning it into a wood framed home rather than an actual just wood cabin. Building regs then are another issue with them!
 
he has passed away and the farm and house is left to siblings equally which is totally unworkable they are trying to push me to take the house and they want the land which is more valuable
With this you are not in a situation where you can just hold out indefinitely.

When you say your brother gave you the site, did he do a full legal transfer? If so, are the beneficiaries of your brother's estate proposing a land swap (where they will effectively buy your plot of land and sell you the plot with the house on it)?

Given the beneficiaries' approach, I suspect the plot of land you're occupying was part of your brother's estate and you don't own it. If that is the case you would be best advised to engage with them and try to work something out.

In most cases, a plot of land in the country with a house on it will be more valuable than an equivalent size plot without. Just look on Daft for your area and you'll most likely see plots even with derelict properties on sale for multiples of what agricultural land or clear sites are going for. It is far more difficult now to get permission for a one-off home in the country, and I suspect it is very unlikely that a 13 year old cabin will meet the requirement to be granted retention.

If you can't work something out with the beneficiaries, be aware that they are perfectly entitled to sell the land, and with that will go your electricity supply. You will not get a separate supply installed to the cabin without planning and RECI certification of your full electrical installation.

Your first action should be to confirm what, if any, land you own. If you own none, your options will be limited to what the beneficiaries offer, if anything.

If you confirm you do own the plot of land your cabin is on, then speak to a planning consultant (not in the employment of the LA) who is very familiar with what your LA will look for in considering a potential planning application. They will either outline the work that will be required, or tell you not to waste any money chasing an impossible dream.
 
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