Size of site for build? Any restrictions?

V

Voodoo

Registered User
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37
hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place to post... think it should be.

I was just wondering if there were restrictions on the size of a site to build a dwelling on. We are looking at a site which is .6 acre. The site also has outline planning on this. I assume that as it has this the site is ok. Does Outline simply mean that it has passed percolation tests? I assume that this isnt tied to any size/type house at all and this is confirmed in the formal planning applications?
 
You need to assess the existing outline planning permission [OPP].
From memory, half an acre is near the theoretical limit for sites using both septic tanks and percolation areas that are reasonably level and have good percolation.
I think there's a 90M distance required from the well to the percolation area, but this needs to be checked.
The OPP may or may not have included percolation tests on a particular part of the site, usually the area to be used for the percolation test.

An OPP establishes the principle of development on the site.
This may define the proposed locations of wells, and septic tanks and percolation areas.
The distances from one to the other and from each to the house is material.
The placing of the house and therefore its size may be "set" by the OPP.
So while outline can be developed at the Approval Permission stage, it usually relates to detail design, not footprint, as this follows on the original OPP.

Should you wish it, given that the site has OPP, you could also completely revisit the application and lodge an application for Planning Permission, colloquially known as Full Planning Permission.
But again, the relationships in terms of distance between well, septic tank, house and perclation areas will limit the size of the house.
You may have limits on what you can do that are affected by the siting of the percolation and reserve percolation areas in relation to distances from boundaries, roads and streams or ditches bordering the site, as well as neighbouring septic tank installations and percolations.
There may also be restrictions in rural areas in relation to overall design, feature elements, size, scale, materials extent of hard paving and height, especially in scenic areas, so don't assume you can built what you like, even keeping the same footprint for the house as the OPP shows.

Best advice - stop making assumptions and get professional advice.
 
You can also usually look up the county development plan on the county council website which will give you the guidelines for urban and rural planning. Best of luck...
 
.6 of an acre is fine, the sqft of your house is determined by the size of your site I think at .6 of an acre you would only be allowed about 200sqm on that size site well and sewage should be fine.
 
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