Build a home for £100,000

[wetaugust]

I'm watching this latest episode on BBC2 (as a warm-up for Kevin).

The couple are building a home in West Wales. No plans - just building organically.

Can't understand how they are being permitted to build in this way when it's usual to have to submit very detailed plans, get building inspections etc.

Are there different rules for Wales?

The first house they built -with the grass roof - didn't comply with building regs so they can't live in there (although they seem to spend a lot of time in there ). The one they are building now seems very small and doesn't seem to conform either... it's all a bit odd. The caravan looks relatively palatial - I'd stay put in that.

Hmm. He does seem very laid back about it. She, I think, has realised the bridges are burning behind her.

I found the whole thing quite sad.

The guy was very like my dad (rip) - idealistic, lazy... I imagine his wife/partner is quite depressed at times it it's not like she didn't go into it with her eyes open.

Oh and from what she said they were allowed to build so long as the can prove within five years that the majority of their needs are met by the land, similar to the guy who made charcoal on grand designs I guess. Also if it was west Wales it was probably on an Eco-build site where others have done the same, I think that's in west Wales.

Oh well . Good luck to them. I think the novelty may be wearing thin with her, but she can always go back to teaching I suppose.

They're at Lammas eco-village - the planning permission is for the site as a whole. It isn't as bad as the programme showed it, either - as ever these things are pretty deceptive. I wouldn't feel too sorry for them other than for the hideous summer in 2012 (we are doing a relatively conventional square wood barn build, and didn't even get beyond the landscaping that summer despite getting planning in April)