Self build advice

[Pitapotamus]

Me and my husband have decided to build our own home - we have an idea about what we want but no idea where to start. A family member has offered to give us a very small (tiny) barn and a bit of a field, no existing planning permission though. So the first step is clearly looking into planning permission which I don't anticipate will be easy, although shouldn't be impossible.

Can anyone recommend a book/website that would be a good starting point for us to learn about what we're going to need to do and how to maximise our chances!

Thanks!