case study 10

	Name:	Paul & Heidi Hollobon	Location:	Kent
	Age:	30 & 29	Land Cost:	£17,000 (1998 - no planning)
	Profession:	Plant Nursery owner, New media co-ordinator.	Build Cost:	£161,300
	House Type:	Modified Caxton from the Heritage Range. 1,800sq ft	Current Value:	£550,000

Paul and Heidi built this Beautiful Caxton from the Heritage range on the site of Paul’s Family nursery business in the heart of Kent.
They had seen Potton at a self build show in London in 1997 and from then on made up their minds they were going to self build, and, subject to getting planning permission were really sold on the Caxton from the Heritage Range, however at the first meeting at the planning office their dreams were blown to pieces when the Council were not even prepared to discuss the proposal and, rejected it on the spot.
So determined not to give in Paul made an outline planning application in 1999
Which was once again promptly turned down.
The Nursery had been victim of a number of break ins and Paul was becoming more distraught and even considered closing the business as they could not be on site 24hours a day and were constantly being burgled.
That was until one day they met with an independent Agricultural planning consultant who advised them to take the application to appeal based on the fact that there was an urgent need for an agricultural dwelling on the site, they also decided to raise a petition and enlist the support of the local parish council which they managed very successfully by eventually gaining over 600 signatures in favour of the project and the full support of the parish, then in July 2000 they learned that the £10,000 they had invested in the appeal had paid off ! Planning was finally approved.
Ground works got underway in June 2001, the Potton timber frame was delivered and erected without a hitch by the end of July and the project was underway!
Because Paul was effectively on site every day and most evenings he was able to carry out much of the work himself. He also found by enlisting specialised tradesmen as and when he needed them the project ran fairly smoothly. The build virtually became “a way of life” even though it was hard going during those cold dark winter evenings when we eventually moved in during April 2002 it was well and truly worth it, “sometimes” says Heidi I really have to pinch myself to prove it’s all real and…all ours! In 2003 Paul and Heidi were winners of the national Potton self build award scheme, their house is a credit to their persistence and hard work.

Build Diary
10 September 1999 original planning application submitted
13 December 1999 Application refused
15 March 2000 Planning appeal submitted
13 June 2000 Informal hearing held to decide appeal
20 September 2000 Detailed Planning application submitted
8 February 2001 Planning approved
4 June 2001 Work started on foundations and ground works
31 July 2001 Potton frame delivered
11 August 2001 Timber frame erection completed
5 September 2001 Roof completed
5 April 2002 Moved into house

Build Costs
Land [purchased in 1996 with no planning] £17,000
Build Cost including Potton Timber Frame Package £161,300
Total cost £178,300

Current value £550,000