Log Cabin Experience

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse

Hey
Just wondering is there anyone out there has built a log cabin on their grounds to live in. Im interested in hearing how you got on!
Im thinking of doing it in a place i bought, has a massive garden and would love the challenege of building it or even a cob house. If you or a person you know personally has done this, id be delighted to hear from you as regards if you got planning etc and if there is any loopholes!!
Again, id prefer to hear from those who actually did it or someone they know personally and not about a "guy down the road" .
Thanking you

Lola92

My parents have a Finnish log house from <SNIP> built now about 8 years. I have to say it is brilliant. It is only used as a holiday home but it is fantastically warm in winter and lovely in summer too. The only problem is that it can be difficult to get planning permission for them depending on where you are as they are still quite uncommon. I think the house is absolutely brilliant, I love it.

Theirs was designed loosely based on a model they have in the catalogue but altered in several ways - removing a veranda, changing room layout, moving the staircase etc. plus addition of more windows. The logs are cut to measure in factory in Finland, imported and put together on site here. The built time was quite quick, around 7/8 weeks from foundations to finished house (minus finishing etc.). I am a little shaky on the exact details as it is a few years ago now but if you have any specific questions let me know and I will try to find out if I can.


MOD EDIT: Please read the forum charter. Business names aren't allowed on this forum.

Lola92

Apologies Muffler. Admittedly I didn't read the charter as I just saw this topic on the home page. Will have a look now.

If anyone wants to know the supplier PM me.

No6

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse wrote: »

and if there is any loopholes!!

Its more of a noose and its called planning!!! Having siad that I have met a couple in Sligo who build an amazing Cob house, shes an Architect and he's a genius with timber, it took ages and cost around the same as an oridnary house but it is really special.

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse

Wow, both very impressive!! Thank you for the pictures.
IM thinking of something a little smaller. Probably 25 foot by 20 foot at most, in the the corner of a garden that is 80 ft by 50 ft!!
My aim is to get away from all mod cons and go back to basics, no tv, computers, not even pushed about electricity(that basic yes)
Probably have a dry toilet and maybe a few solar panels for hot water and a stove for heating in the winter. grow a beard and sing kumbya on the guitar!! Ive had enough of the government, time to strike back!!

No6

you need this forum so!! http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1514

Poor Uncle Tom

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse wrote: »

Hey
Just wondering is there anyone out there has built a log cabin on their grounds to live in. Im interested in hearing how you got on!
Im thinking of doing it in a place i bought, has a massive garden and would love the challenege of building it or even a cob house. If you or a person you know personally has done this, id be delighted to hear from you as regards if you got planning etc and if there is any loopholes!!
Again, id prefer to hear from those who actually did it or someone they know personally and not about a "guy down the road" .
Thanking you

I'm sure any of the people working as planning agents here have gotten planning permission for 'log cabin' type houses. I've applied for some, different sizes and finishes over the years, and many of them were built and are being lived in. From a planning perspective it was easier 10 years ago to get planning for them than it is now.

You haven't said if there is already a house on the property on which you want to put this 'cabin', and that will have a bearing on the planners decision.

The size you want this is 46 square metres floor area (25' x 20') so you are automatically into planning permission, as you would be if you intended to use this as a seperate living unit anyway.

If this was only to be built within the curtilage of an existing dwelling house and to be used as extra area ancillary to the enjoyment of the existing dwelling it could be argued in favour of the development and would most likely be allowed, given a recent an Bord Pleanala ruling.

However, if it is to be a seperate living unit, it will be treated the very same as any other planning application,
1. prove a housing need if the land is not zoned for housing,
2. justify the house design, size, location and materials for finishes,
3. carry out a site characterisation assesment and recommendations for waste treatment if the site is not servicable by mains sewerage,
4. provide entrance from public road in compliance with the County Development Plan, etc.,

and if there is any loopholes!!

I realise that a loophole can be viewed as being a legal means of circumventing the law. However, our forum charter does not allow any discussion on ways of 'getting around' the planning process or planning system. So for ease of moderation we won't be discussing any loopholes here....

mellowkelly

hi, do anyone know what size cabin can be built without planning permission? its in a back garden of a house but its a very large garden and im not sure where to get the info?

Thanks

Poor Uncle Tom

mellowkelly wrote: »

hi, do anyone know what size cabin can be built without planning permission? its in a back garden of a house but its a very large garden and im not sure where to get the info?

Thanks

First of all you can't build a cabin without planning permission.

You can however extend your house or construct a separate building without planning permission, with strict conditions, all within the curtilage of the dwelling house for the ancillary enjoyment of the occupants of the dwelling house.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/si/0600.html#sched2

Any separate structure, whether it is built with a 'cabin effect' or not, cannot be used for human habitation, just recreational uses. The floor areas are shown on the link above.

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse

Good stuff Uncle Tom. Yes there is a house on the area, 3 bed semi detached end of terrace, house is on the left of the site. Site is 80 by 50 feet. Was hoping to put cabin say halfway down the garden!! Thinks its possible??

Poor Uncle Tom

How old is the terrace? is it a protected structure or on any list to be protected? is there any other 'out buildings', sheds, garages, green house, store, or such building on the site apart from the house? Has the house ever been extended?

Sorry about the questions but all this has a bearing.

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse

Terrace was done in the 50s. dont think its a protected structure, for now well say its a no. Theres a small shed to the back of the house and the house has never been extended. If it was out of public view, would you geta away with no planning??? God forbid one would do sucha a thing seen as they own the land in the first place!!

muffler

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse wrote: »

Terrace was done in the 50s. dont think its a protected structure, for now well say its a no. Theres a small shed to the back of the house and the house has never been extended. If it was out of public view, would you geta away with no planning??? God forbid one would do sucha a thing seen as they own the land in the first place!!

Just be careful here. Have a read at the forum charter especially section 6. It will only take a minute or two to read.

Some developments can be exempt from planning subject to certain conditions and that is why Poor Uncle Tom was asking the relevant questions above. See here for details.

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse

Thanks muffler, didnt realise that was there!!
Thanks for the heads up!
Yeah, read the bit about planning etc, they really shoould doa lay mans terms to make it a abit easier!!
Boards.ie, i do apologise for breaching the rules of site

Poor Uncle Tom

Here's the thing, you can't put another house on your land without planning permission, no matter what size.

You can however build up to 25 square metres of a log cabin type building to the rear of your property to use ancillary to the main house, provided you comply with the conditions in the link.

The fact that you already have an out building means that the 25m2 allowable must include the floor area of any existing such buildings, otherwise you are into planning permission.

Mightymouse vs Dangermouse

The pain continues so poor uncle tom!!
Thanks for all the info

Poor Uncle Tom

I don't make the rules.....:o

Bigmac1euro

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking about building one in my Fathers back garden to live in with my Partner.

Has anyone got experience living in them ?
Any do's and donts ?

All information for anyone with past experiences etc would be great. Thanks

Calahonda52

It is unlightly you will get FPP for a log cabin as you will have trouble meeting TGD Part L

Gumbo

steo_magra wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking about building one in my Fathers back garden to live in with my Partner.

Has anyone got experience living in them ?
Any do's and donts ?

All information for anyone with past experiences etc would be great. Thanks

You will not get planning permission for it as it will be a stand alone structure. Any living accomodation has to be connected to the main dwelling in some shape or form. You can in theory use a log cabin as a garden shed/games room/home office etc

Bigmac1euro

From going to different log cabin providers they all told me nobody bothers with planning permission.
They aren't a permanent structure and because its build on a wooden foundation if they kicked up any fuss one of the guys in particular said you could pick it up by crane and move it an inch which would make their argument invalid however I still don't know enough about it and this is why I came here to ask. I do appreciate the replies though thanks.

Poor Uncle Tom

steo_magra wrote: »

From going to different log cabin providers they all told me nobody bothers with planning permission.
They aren't a permanent structure and because its build on a wooden foundation if they kicked up any fuss one of the guys in particular said you could pick it up by crane and move it an inch which would make their argument invalid however I still don't know enough about it and this is why I came here to ask. I do appreciate the replies though thanks.

Some people will say anything to peddle their product, the highlighted part above is nonsense which could end up costing the purchaser a hell of a lot of wasted money, and not just in penalties and fines, but the offender could end up with a criminal record.

Gumbo

steo_magra wrote: »

From going to different log cabin providers they all told me nobody bothers with planning permission.
They aren't a permanent structure and because its build on a wooden foundation if they kicked up any fuss one of the guys in particular said you could pick it up by crane and move it an inch which would make their argument invalid however I still don't know enough about it and this is why I came here to ask. I do appreciate the replies though thanks.

BS spouted by a sales guy to sell a product.
Planning Enforcement relates to the structure and use in place, not that fact that its 1m from the boundary or 1.1m from the boundary.

You would be served with a notice if you tried this trick, and that's where costs become liable and you cannot reverse the notice from there on out.

Bigmac1euro

Thanks for all the replies,
My initial instinct I believe is correct and with what above poster Poor Uncle Tom said.
The guy I didn't find very trustworthy. After a little more research I have learned its nearly impossible DCC would give you planning permission for this structure and the Uses I would require.
I read in a number of places though that you can build a structure 25 meters squared and below without planning permission.
Has anyone here done similar ?
If this is the case I don't see why the designers of the cabins aren't pushing the units in the exact size without requiring planning permission.
Any more info on the above in bold I would appreciate.

Bigmac1euro

Thanks for all the replies,
My initial instinct I believe is correct and with what above poster Poor Uncle Tom said.
The guy I didn't find very trustworthy. After a little more research I have learned its nearly impossible DCC would give you planning permission for this structure and the Uses I would require.
I read in a number of places though that you can build a structure 25 meters squared and below without planning permission.
Has anyone here done similar ?
If this is the case I don't see why the designers of the cabins aren't pushing the units in the exact size without requiring planning permission.
Any more info on the above in bold I would appreciate.

Gumbo

steo_magra wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies,
My initial instinct I believe is correct and with what above poster Poor Uncle Tom said.
The guy I didn't find very trustworthy. After a little more research I have learned its nearly impossible DCC would give you planning permission for this structure and the Uses I would require.
I read in a number of places though that you can build a structure 25 meters squared and below without planning permission.
Has anyone here done similar ?
If this is the case I don't see why the designers of the cabins aren't pushing the units in the exact size without requiring planning permission.
Any more info on the above in bold I would appreciate.

It's not the size of the unit, it's the use that's unauthorised



The bolded part of your post is for garden sheds, non habitable structures like games room, storage, home office but not kitchen or bedroom etc

Bigmac1euro

kceire wrote: »

It's not the size of the unit, it's the use that's unauthorised



The bolded part of your post is for garden sheds, non habitable structures like games room, storage, home office but not kitchen or bedroom etc

yeah i read this also i was more so hoping it wouldn't be true.

Gumbo

steo_magra wrote: »

yeah i read this also i was more so hoping it wouldn't be true.

Trust me, from someone who sees these issues every day, they are enforced and you would be surprised with who and how many complaints the LA get.

Bigmac1euro

kceire wrote: »

Trust me, from someone who sees these issues every day, they are enforced and you would be surprised with who and how many complaints the LA get.

Interesting I wouldn't have thought many people would get reported for this kind of thing as some of these cabins just look like a shed.

On a side note even if its for direct family use would you still be made take it down ?
Would it be a smart idea to contact the LA and ask ? But even then are chances still slim of it being approved ?

Gumbo

steo_magra wrote: »

Interesting I wouldn't have thought many people would get reported for this kind of thing as some of these cabins just look like a shed.

On a side note even if its for direct family use would you still be made take it down ?
Would it be a smart idea to contact the LA and ask ? But even then are chances still slim of it being approved ?

Direct family use is a granny flat (ancillary family accommodation). It needs to be connected to the main dwelling. Full stop.

If inspected, bedroom and possibly kitchen/shower unit will need to be removed to avoid enforcement notice and legal costs.

No need to contact the LA

Bigmac1euro

kceire wrote: »

Direct family use is a granny flat (ancillary family accommodation). It needs to be connected to the main dwelling. Full stop.

If inspected, bedroom and possibly kitchen/shower unit will need to be removed to avoid enforcement notice and legal costs.

No need to contact the LA

And is this within the 25m squared rule ?
Or could it be any size apologies as Im a complete amateur.
Hence all the questions.

Gumbo

steo_magra wrote: »

And is this within the 25m squared rule ?
Or could it be any size apologies as Im a complete amateur.
Hence all the questions.

The 25 square rule is a domestic shed.
A granny flat can be any size subject to planning and proper site placement.

smelly sock

Can a log cabin be joined to an existing house as an extension rather than going down the traditional block built extension route.

Gumbo

smelly sock wrote: »

Can a log cabin be joined to an existing house as an extension rather than going down the traditional block built extension route.

Once it can comply with Building Regulations for extensions then yes, a log cabin style extension can be added. This will most likely cost a lot more than traditional build as to achieve the log cabin style that you want will mean that you have to find a timber material and fix it to the external face of the structure itself and then weather it, and ensure all your insulation inside is protected.

smelly sock

Thanks kceire.

Have you any experience with them? Looking at costs currently and for a 22sqm with bathroom, electrics and all plumbing it's coming in around 17,000. A hell of a lot cheaper than a traditional style extension. Anything I should be wary of?

I don't mind the upkeep of treating it every year myself.

Gumbo

smelly sock wrote: »

Thanks kceire.

Have you any experience with them? Looking at costs currently and for a 22sqm with bathroom, electrics and all plumbing it's coming in around 17,000. A hell of a lot cheaper than a traditional style extension. Anything I should be wary of?

I don't mind the upkeep of treating it every year myself.

Sounds cheap.
What's the wall, floor and roof section build up consist of?