Legal Loopholes: How to Find Land and Live Off Grid in the UK | Land & Planning for Off Grid Living

[@paulhaworth1824]

Isn't it funny how us mere mortals really struggle to get planning permission for a single dwelling on green belt land yet large companies find it easier to get planning for countless houses totally obliterating the country side. My father's farm of 40 years with soon be surrounded by over a thousand houses , he's currently fighting for a new lease. One rule for us another for those with connections

[@offgridpath]

It's a great shame. I struggle with the same thought. If you have the money then you can do what you want. It's a great shame for people wanting to live a simple existence closer to nature.

[@jayjohn1868]

Do something about it then

[@DJ-uk5mm]

It’s easier if you are a pigeon, a fox, a badger or a rat… even a worm can build a home without asking for ‘permission’…………

[@raymondpomfret4214]

It's a case of who you know not what you know and of course there's the back handers, from what I've heard here I wouldn't bother in this country, its finished anyway it's not great Britain any more and had I been 40years younger I'd be out of here in a shot

[@justalitttleun]

It's called corruption, follow the money many mps have there hands in these companies, Balfour of the BALFOUR treaty for example. The whole system is corrupt made and set up for a few people to protect them against us and to legalise what they want to do and make illegal what we want to do.

[@books4739]

Incredible the lengths we UKers have to go to to live a quiet life in the woods.

[@offgridpath]

Sadly you're right

[@lweleven3423]

Control

[@darrelltregear756]

Can't even go camping these days

[@mgm7671]

They want you stuck in the rat race

[@derekhunt6943]

The town and country Planning act was designed to control humanity.

[@livefreeordie5769]

Lived in my woodland for 8 years. Now I have a cottage that me & my dogs love.

[@petertaylor6384]

I wouldn't ask where you live but could you share your experience?

[@neilpike6758]

@neilpike6758 0 seconds ago @liveanddirect3028 I was kicked off of my land and business because I was an outsider, the insiders had no problems with planning consent for houses in the open countryside. Two tier planning system. Tommy Robinson.

[@snoopyloopy2009]

What about council tax

[@mistygroves3503]

That is a lovely ending and a good way to live. Did you have to use any of the strategies suggested on the video? Or another way?

[@rdtheskald]

@@snoopyloopy2009what is council tax for though? If i live in my own woodland and burn my own rubbish then why should i pay anything to anyone?

[@adrianellis4497]

I think a Petition should be ran to gain basic human rights to provide your own accommodation on your own land at your own cost, with no interference from councils or authorities.

[@liveanddirect3028]

Yes yes yes !

[@SummitSelfieSeeker]

Get one set up I'll be on board

[@spikefawkes5152]

The tories are now being at trying to strip away our human rights. So don’t count on that. They want us on the streets.

[@sharonwray5498]

That's a brilliant idea !!!!! what I cant work out is if you supply your own Water get rid of your own rubbish clear your own land have a composting toilet supply your own power etc why you would have to pay council tax because you are doing it all yourself?? Pay your bit to the police you may need them and obviously national insurance as that's for medical care mainly and separate but why do you pay council tax if not useing the facilities they offer??

[@stephena1196]

The government are keen to exit from the European Convention of Human Rights, so I doubt they'll consider any kind of petition for basic human rights.

[@bellydancesensations]

In Talley valley Wales a group of people purchased land between them and moved from one plot to another, in the end they gave up and left them alone. The people living at Talley have now been there for at least 36 years.

[@offgridpath]

That sounds awesome - is that the idea i was talking about with the 28 day rule? thanks for the info it's greatly appreciated

[@shepherdkings5892]

My friends family lived there! Well cool 😊

[@TheBigfatmatt]

Had friends in Bristol who had something to do with Talley/Teepee back along in the 80s and 90s, always wondered how and where there are now ?

[@Hayley-hb6vx]

Flower farm? 🙂

[@Crosshatch1212]

@@TheBigfatmatta lot moved to Portugal gave up on all the road rules ,rave rules land etc etc ,

[@JG-fv9bv]

Its amazing how the big corporztions and the Politicians they own can build and develop , demolish anything anywhere they want and ignore the many planning rights/barriers us plebbs have to abide by

[@misterthegeoff9767]

My Uncle's farm was on green belt land and he had a neighbour who was on the council planning committee and Vetoed everything including legitimate farming stuff like putting up a stable for horses or taking an existing loose gravel parking area and covering it in tarmac. It almost became a game to see how many things we could sneak in under the various loopholes,. My uncle converted an existing barn into a dwelling and lived in it after his divorce, my Dad built an entire factory unit hiding behind a set of greenhouses and got it in under the 10 year rule or some other loophole. It took a very expensive lawyer and a court battle to make it legit but by this point it was worth it to stick two fingers up to the arsehole neighbour. The best part was when my Dad got a visit from Envitronmental Health and the inspector said "I should report this but they refused planning permission for my extension so fork 'em". The neighbouring farm who had to take his stable down started keeping pigs instead so instead of a field full of horses to look at out his window, the council jobsworth had a pig farm with all the associated smells.

[@Bogas76]

Councils and enyone who’s participating in this should be in prison . That includes governing authority’s. This is legalised slavery .... absolutely disgusting. Thank You for great content .

[@offgridpath]

No worries, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's a shame that it is so difficult to do but it's doubtful it's going to get any easier in the future that's for sure

[@Normanskie]

Yes but you say that but what would you say if a group of gypsies moved on the land OR a group of noisy bikers used it for a meet every weekend for a good old heavy rock and boozing secession.

[@KityThian]

😮😊oh this comment is so spooky....

[@sandrashane677]

The crown owns all the land and 80% of the worlds mineral mining rights. And people love them. lol.

[@chrischristofis8501]

A very well made video and I recommend your book, may i offer some additional info speaking as an environmental planning consultant 1) there are strict rules about the use of water from a borehole, be aware of this, it can be pricy to have a risk assessmnlent and sampling done to be compliant 2) when you eventually go for retrospective planning, how water , foul water and sewage are managed will be a factor to get permission, in many areas your soakaway may be disallowed, ( also check with the Environment Agency on nitrate vulnurable zones) if yiu are thinking of a composting toilet 3) local authorty areas will have precedence, has someone sucessfully used the 10 year rule in that area?, this is a massive boost for getting permission your consultant when you apply will want this they love precedence. In summary if you are in any way risking polluting the land or adjacent land you will likely be turned down, they may insist you burn smokeless fuel in some areas, the more environmetaly friendly you are the better when it comes to planning permission and precedence is king. A last word you did touch on the best was to quickly gain an off grid dwelling when you talked about Agricultural/Forrestry permitted development, yea building a barn but also if you make charcoal you NEED to live on the land to watch the burner 😉

[@offgridpath]

Thanks so much for your comment and kind words. This is really valuable knowledge and a greatly appreciate it. I hope that people watching this video can read this comment for some extra info. Also loving the charcoal burner tip!!! Really appreciate your support and watching the video!

[@nickcoppard5335]

10 year rule ? Surely you mean 4 year rule ? 10 year is for commercial certificate

[@nickcoppard5335]

28 day rule for unrelated use ! Split your land apply for multiple agricultural holding numbers each one gets 28 days

[@diaryofadeadtattooist]

​@@nickcoppard5335what about split and 'rent' out.?

[@nickcoppard5335]

@@diaryofadeadtattooist why rent out ?

[@MyMarlinman]

A very informative video. My Wife and I moved to Scotland to live with our Son at his Farm in 2021. Due to age and health issues we decided to apply for a certificate of lawfulness for a mobile home in the style of a lodge.,under the caravan act. Local planning told us that we had to apply for full planning to use it as a granny annexe.It would be in the curtilage of the garden. It took 9 months for a decision and we finally got permission.However the sting in the tail is that they have put a stipulation on the permission that after ten years it must be removed and the site returned to its former condition. Apparently they decided that the mobile lodge would be rotten ! We could reapply to them after 10 years as it is considered a temporary building to them. This is unacceptable and we are appealing this decision. Too many grey areas and their interpretation of the rules. The uk sucks.

[@user-fb3pu3qx3t]

That’s disgraceful

[@duncanridgley2591]

@@user-fb3pu3qx3t live in ex-communist countries, they don't give a dam, they value common sense!

[@My_Secret_Sketchbook999]

Sorry Sir u went through this. What health issues do you have? I may be of help and give you a list of info in my comment.

[@MyMarlinman]

@@My_Secret_Sketchbook999 Thanks for your help offer. The matter has now been resolved to our satisfaction after a year. Common sense prevailed.

[@NoName-vy8vu]

Where you from originally sir

[@rogerdarbyshire5664]

1. Learn to sail. 2. Buy a shallow draft dutch sailing barge. 3. Sail it back to the UK 4. Find a quiet creek or harbour on the coast, NOT inland. NOT a marina.NOT an expensive river location. 5. Get local permission for a mooring, if you need to. 6. Pay the mooring fee, which in many areas is a few hundred quid or less, or even free (some locations are a very grey area) 7. If a mooring isnt possible, get a very, very, very large anchor.(the legal difference between being moored, and being anchored is important). 8. Live happily ever after. The readon for getting a shallow draft vessel is that it gives access to areas that others can't get to, and which are pretty much unregulated. The reason for getting a dutch barge is that they are designed to let you lower the mast to get under very low bridges, which again allows you to get to remote areas. Some big huge dutch boats have incredibly shallow draft, like as low as 60 cm, on 50 foot long boats

[@apocalypticdaze2139]

I like the land

[@amasworld7126]

Pointless, just move to the US where you can live freely on the land, it’s cheaper anyway

[@cliveadams7629]

​@@amasworld7126 I hear you can't just set up shop on your own land there.

[@cliveadams7629]

Cheap as chips Dutch barge, eh? Great in winter storms. Plus sailing down t the shops for a pint of milk. Nice idea but IRL? Not in this country.

[@rogerdarbyshire5664]

@@cliveadams7629 I just checked my original post, and I'm puzzled, I can't see the part where I proposed sailing around in open water during the winter? And in this country, if you want to go to the shops, you can buy a thing we call " a tender". Oh, and compared to the nightmare of finding land and buying it in this country, a boat is as cheap as chips by comparison.

[@tonyclack5901]

I have just bought 60 acres. I put a 28 day notice into the council planners. They came back to us requiring full plans of the proposed barn, which we are having done as I post this comment. I assume they cannot deny the application due to permitted developement rules. We have a motorhome on site which we are finishing off to live in, albeit until we can site a static caravan, however we have just recieved a letter from the planning council after someone has complained, accusing us of living in the motorhome which we are not. Our planning consultant sugested when we have planning permission for the barn that we make an application to the council planners for a temporary dwelling. When permission is obtained for the barn, it would appear we can just move a static caravan on site and live in it for 3 years whilst building the barn and running our agricultural business. We are already farming breeding pigs and a herd of some 200 sheep, which have started lambing. As we the people have no say or control over what new laws are created, I find it very sad that people who have a respect and kinship with the land and nature and who provide life sustaining food for themselves and other people, have to jump through all these hoops and stress, when the biggest blots on the landscape, wind turbines and solar farms get the go ahead without any hassle.

[@oliroy]

How sad does someone have to be to complain about someone living in a motorhome on their own land. I fucking hate the UK.

[@Earthismadeoflayers]

Sounds like you may want to either have a talk with that neighbour or start recording their antics for an anti harassment order in future incase they turn out to be a nutter.

[@darrelltregear756]

Remember you will own nothing and be happy

[@jameseden9380]

You had me up until the wind farms and solar panels. The world will burn...

[@gravy123able]

Never understood people complaining about what others do on their own property,

[@dalriada842]

I own a house in an estate, that was once on the edge of the town I live in. I had views over rolling hills. Eventually a building company bought the farmland next to me, to put up an estate. Some of my neighbours kicked up a stink. They thought they had a right to views over land they did not own! I sat quietly in the local planning meeting witnessing their most unedifying sense of entitlement. The council did shake the company down for a lot of money that was supposed to have been spent on local infrastructure and services before giving them permission. That money ended up being spent elsewhere in the county to deal with "deprivation". Perhaps there would be less deprivation if government, on all levels, wasn't seeking to thwart any kind of development. I've seen neighbours complaining to the council over the most ridiculous of issues. On one occasion, I was unable to leave the house for over a month because I was ill. Some rat bag complained to the council that my grass was too long. The council sent me a letter threatening to cut it for me, and send me a bill! We're surrounded by would be Fuhrers. I long to live in a passive house out in the woods somewhere, away from these people. Alas, I lack the funds to do it. Though it sounds as if they would want to 'hunt me' even there. We live in an increasingly authoritarian age.

[@ChristosChristophi-er7wi]

I work for my local council and get sent to look at all kinds. You wouldn't believe the sh!t people complain about. Had to go to the local graveyard not long ago to clean up a tiny bit of fur (looked like something bagged a rabbit there) from the edge of a path. Literally a handful of fur. I do wish management would grow a pair and tell people to eff off.

[@John-ou4rm]

In Plymouth I was researching whether I could do a brownfield conversion on an existing commercial property and noted that several homes with extensive back gardens had been denied conversions of their garages into tiny homes because of 'parking issues'. Seriously, they're more worried about parking cars than the homeless, worse still they have the audacity to talk about green issues and 15 minute cities.

[@lizchukwu2626]

What is so sad about your story is that your neighbours could have just offered to cut the grass for you. I am really frustrated with mankinds lack of compassion and empathy at the moment!

[@englishmadcow7461]

Gotta love capitalism n socialism 🙄

[@angelaclinton9847]

This is such a confused comment, on one hand raging at authoritarianism, local authorities and nimbys but then also suggesting that individuals should have no rights against local authority planning decisions and big companies doing as they please even when harming others quality of life. 😂

[@lfo2vco]

Very interesting and well presented, thanks. As a side point regarding Green Belt land the local council in my area are quite happy to turn this over to developers for a hefty Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace payment, and also allow developers to build multiple dwellings right up to the edge of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. However just down the road a resident was put through the wringer to get planning approval for a rear extension that was no larger than the existing one on his neighbours house. To the point they had to seek intervention from the Secretary of States office to get the council’s decision overturned. Double standards... I genuinely wish anyone attempting to go off grid the best of luck.

[@darrellbailey3828]

Thanks for this great video Ben. A lot of hard work and knowledge has gone into this and it just goes to show how greedy landowners down throughout history have sought to make topics like this which are fundamental to living are made so difficult to navigate. I live in Southampton, close to the New Forest and often say to people that the land surely belongs to the people especially if it is a national park. Theres so many areas you can't even walk through it just seems that massive control is at play. Thanks for this, it's something I'd love to do but I'm certain I'll never experience. I love to hear about people following all these loopholes and making it to the other side of permitted development. Thanks for your time and information I believe this is a subject that will become much more important in the future as our economy collapses as its sure to. I've just randomly been fed this by the platform and will certainly look at your other stuff. Maybe try to reach out to the great Richard Vobes for more public awareness of this really important subject; i believe he's trying to do the same with his partner Julia. Lovely people and a great advert for your channel. Good luck with your project from Southampton

[@offgridpath]

Thanks a lot for your kind words, that's greatly appreciated. I definitely agree with you, I think the future is very uncertain and almost definitely going to be turbulent both economically and from an environmental point of view. It's a sad state of affairs and for me it's about living a self reliant lifestyle as possible. I'm really glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the comment and thanks for the support!

[@garysmith9321]

I would mention that Scotland does have a Hutting policy (see 1,000 huts campaign). A hut is: * A simple building used intermittently as recreational accommodation (i.e. not a principal residence) * having an internal floor area of no more than 30m2 * constructed from low impact materials; generally not connected to mains water, electricity or sewerage * and built in such a way that it is removable with little or no trace at the end of its life. It may be of interest to some.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks a lot for that! I've actually included it in my book - it's such a great policy and scotland seems ahead of the game (as well as wales too)

[@RoughWalkers]

Or a boffy 👍

[@My_Secret_Sketchbook999]

Hey there, do you know best place to live over there with family please?

[@Dirpitz]

@@My_Secret_Sketchbook999 nowhere it's wellover full and stupidly expensive honestly find a nicer place you'd regret moving here

[@chris-terrell-liveactive]

It's a good policy but getting harder to find land, even as a group. The huge Freeport and Special Economic zones, with easier planning processes for the corporations involved, plus land-banking developers, are going to make the scarcity worse and Scottish government is facilitating all this. It's deeply frustrating.

[@juliapigworthy]

The only way we can sideline the system is if the majority of homeowners can find legal ways to be as close to self-sufficient in terms of solar power, log-burning, water harvesting, growing vegetables and eggs, as possible.

[@offgridpath]

Very true. I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to do that but everyone is different i guess

[@phoenixkali]

If there was a war on I'm sure it would take off In WWII every front lawn was turned into an allotment, let's bring victory gardens back!

[@urbansurvivor360]

Definitely agree and council tenants inwhich I am I actually started homesteading and finding ways to disregard grid power. I am furious at System and doing whatever I can to avoid participating

[@GWAYGWAY1]

@@phoenixkali Very good point; maybe a silver lining for the WW3 they seem to want…….

[@HAL-1984]

They are now introducing new bureaucracy to prevent people from keeping chickens at home under the guise of bird flu.

[@Haze1434]

Absolutely disgusting that we live in an age where a man cannot OWN a piece of land and not be able to live on it HOW HE WANTS TO, not doing any harm to others!

[@Fuxy22]

How else are developers going to rob through the nose for basic needs like housing?

[@norflingtheconqueror462]

It's a f*cking revolting overreach honestly, people should be absolutely livid about the lack of freedom in this country, too many boneheads don't care it seems.

[@glassbackdiy3949]

We used the 4yr rule in 2011, it's changed now to 10yrs unless you started living there before April 2024, 10yrs is a LONG time to dodge nosey neighbours and would be nimbys, we got an old industrial building on 1/3 acre for £150k, changed the use to residential, let the hedges grow 15ft high and put up a BIG locked gate, avoided talking to locals for 4 yrs. It's in a limited infil village area (see local plan) so we would never have got PP if we'd applied, if caught we'd have been stuck with a 2000sq ft industrial building in the middle of nowhere with nowhere to live. Back-up plan was to apply for mixed use as residential and dog kennels which seemed like it would pass planning from speaking to planners in a different area that was also limited infil. It was a big risk but obviously paid off in the end. I wouldn't advise it now it's a 10yr rule. We got reported after 7yrs, my wife had been walking the dogs through the nearby village early every morning, it's 1/2 a mile from our place but one of the housholders questioned her weekly, she was evasive and polite, but the guy must have followed her one morning! No less than 15 planning officers turned up in high viz trying to find fault in our scheme, I had the evidence, they were disagreeing whether it looked like a dwelling, the windows and hanging baskets at the front door clinched it, which I thought was ridiculous, but hey ho we got our cert of legal use then spent a small fortune renovating into a lovely home, with the correct planning permission for the build, now worth ~£1M. They tried to hit us with 7yrs of counci tax, but since it had been an industrial building we had been paying business rates, in the end we got a nice refund. In the interim period between getting reported the first time and actually applying for the cert a few yrs later, we got reported another 4 times! Caveat Emptor! I would advise anyone getting off grid land, especially if you intend to grow food, to get a soil contamination test done, farmers are notorious for allowing dumping, ~1/6 acre of our land, 1M deep, had all sorts dumped, the previous farmer owner had allowed a skip company to tip there, it was a LOT of work to clean up, the worst was ~4tons of asbestos, the rest was mostly rubble/sub soil and about 4 cars worth of scrap parts, the only way to grow in the garden was to build deep raised beds, I put a greenhouse up 12sq M I took 16 wheelbarrows full of rubble out of the GH beds, if I plant a tree I get at least 1 full wheebarrows of rubble out the hole! Caveat Emptor! Glad we did it now tho, no way we'd have been able to afford this (now idillic) place any other way.

[@eskimo3622]

i cant believe you got reported, people can be so evil. live and let live!

[@peters6405]

Near to me there is a small plant nursery that mainly sells commercially to other retailers but he also is opened to the public a few days a week, on these grounds he was able to get planning permission for a dwelling on horticultural land which may only just be 5 hectares possible less. He had a limit on the hight he could build but got around that issue by lowering the level of the foundations so the land at the back of his house is quite a bit higher than the front which is level with the adjoining road and having a dormer bungalow. He can not sell the house or business separately and if the business finishes trading from the site the dwelling has to be demolished which is different to some other properties in our rural area that are no longer directly involved with agricultural business but can only be occupied by someone who is or has worked in the agriculture, horticultural or forestry industry.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks for the comment. That's really interesting. I haven't heard of that before but really love that it has worked for them. I love that ingenuity you mentioned about lowering the level of the foundations to maximise the internal space. I'm sure there is a chance to change the use of it in the future. I would imaging the planning authorities would be pretty heavy with the conditions to begin with but i'm sure a few tweaks to the business plan etc may allow some changes to those conditions in the future. Thanks for watching and thanks for the support

[@Dressagevids]

Garden centres are Sui generis

[@bonnielyrae6971]

Anyone considering living off-grid (esp in woodland) should read Tom Barron's book "The New Woodsman"; also Gill Barron's book on Yurts both published by Eggerslack Press. These are people who've lived off-grid for many years and therefore have some invaluable insights.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks so much for the recommendation and thanks for watching!

[@PenelopetheTruck]

Hey 👋 Thanks for the insight, this is a great help and we will be purchasing your recent book. We started our off grid sustainability journey a few years ago and built an off grid expedition truck to go travelling, we sold our bricks and mortar to fund the travels and to enable us to get away from the system. After travelling for 14 months we are back in Blighty and are now embarking on the next stage of our eco journey and that's to buy land and build an eco container dwelling. It's unbelievable what you need to do to enable you to live life off the system & off grid and in an environmental friendly way! We are shocked at the lengths that you need to go to to be legit. If you've got plenty of money then the world is your oyster, it's such a shame we have so much crazy bureaucracy and red tape. Anyway thanks again for the hard work that you've put into this, it'll benefit many who wish to embark on their journey and also thanks to some of the commenters below that have also given some really helpful information. All the best C&K

[@offgridpath]

Thanks a lot and glad you enjoyed the video. You're right it is a shame about the financial situation. Money definitely makes things easier if you have lots of it! Thanks for the comment and thanks for the support!

[@joygallavan6790]

you have almost zero chance of buying agricultural land (most rural land in the UK) and getting change of use to residential which you will need of you want to stay on the land for more that 28 days a year,You will need a planning agent who specialises in change of use planning,but almost all planning departments will refuse container builds,you really are better off buying a dwelling with land Going off grid in the Uk is about being more "in the system" you will need alot of contact with authorities,Im off grid and in constant contact with the local council, Im also not at all "eco" I run a petrol genny as I cant afford much solar or the massive kit needed for storage plus Im in woodland under a TPO so all the trees give us almost total shade,there is a big difference between the off grid dream and reality,I think especially in the UK

[@edie_perty]

So precious. Congratulations and welcome home Santi.

[@offgridpath]

Thank you! 🤗

[@roblong-n6m]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have a six acre redundant nursery that closed years ago because the land was of poor quality and could not grow sufficient produce. The remnants of buildings are still there but i have been denied planning of any sort on a number of different occasions, even when the local authority were unable to demonstrate sufficient building as per the NPPF. The owner of the land adjacent to mine applied and was given permission to convert stables to a dwelling. The stables were not easily accessible so a further application was submitted to demolish the stables, combine the the footprint with another building, also to be demolished, and erect a new building next to the road, and got this approved. No doubt in my mind a brown envelope passed between applicant and LPA. They have been proven to be bent in the past.

[@neilpike6758]

Two tier planning system, I was victim to the bastards.

[@euclidsbendywater749]

They would have both been mason's.

[@tkffin]

Brilliant video. Years ago a friends family in a very affluent area sold his house but kept the 30 acres between it other houses Stuck sheep and barns an a luxury static. Few yrs later he built a house I was young never really understood but know I do.

[@gokottafilm1049]

This is really insightful, thanks for taking the time to make it

[@offgridpath]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching

[@DJ-uk5mm]

30:58 “no bigger than 3 m high” actually tha act says 3.3 m internal height to ceiling… there is no ruling on external height .. also. 5 years is still possibly Also the “financial test” rule of thumb is c £18k or what is considered the minimum wage You don’t have to own all the land. You could buy 1 acre and rent the 11.5 acres nearby. Also I’ve found the council supportive once you have demonstrated that you are genuinely are trying to develop an agricultural smallholding or farm

[@offgridpath]

Awesome! Thank you so much for clearing that up and it sounds like you have done it our going through that process. Really appreciate the info and thanks for watching!

[@stargazer1010]

Pls what is the financial test? Thanks

[@ninaarcher9206]

Thank you for making this very complicated subject much more easy to understand, lots of really interesting bits of information here.

[@offgridpath]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching

[@BennyBen9]

That was brilliant. Thankyou. Very informative . I've just brought your book. It's so wrong that it's so hard to live off grid

[@offgridpath]

Really appreciate that! Thank you!! I really hope you enjoy the book and thanks for your support!

[@roscoeswrld5953]

it’s because they want to enslave you

[@chrisyateswebdev]

As an ex deal sourcer / land agent I love how much information you provide in your videos. Kudos !

[@ladylexiea3084]

This is really helpful, thank you. Also lots of info in the comments. Splendid

[@GRIBBO-77]

Great video. Also think that "overages" need a mention too; where there's a clause in the contract when the land is sold that dictates the vendor should be paid a large % of the lands new value, if / when it becomes residential.

[@offgridpath]

That is a very very good point! You're quite right. I look at land regularly and see these coming up more and more these days

[@Omlittlebuddha]

I’ve been looking at land and I see this in the small print on the particulars a lot.

[@GRIBBO-77]

Seems that any parcel of land that has any kind of access direct from a road, electricity and / or water nearby, is subject to these overage clauses. I don't know why vendors can't just sell and move on. Think it purely down to greed

[@tanaarcher3258]

Yikes!

[@Overworkt]

​@@GRIBBO-77I think it's heavily pushed by the estate agent. I'd be interested to know if many would drop the overage for the sake of a successful sale.

[@dandydan9677]

This video has helped me understand a few things as I'm looking into a simpler lifestyle. One thing i would say, for anyone looking at getting a mortgage, atleast from what i found out, the deposits dont work like houses and you'll need somewhere between 25%-75% deposit. I looked at some land near the peak district and was told i would need atleast 100k in cash. Maybe i wasnt asking the right questions at the time but thats what i found from my lines anyway, hope it helps someone.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks for the comment and i'm glad you enjoyed the video. That's interesting because as far as I was aware, you couldn't get a mortgage on land except from a few very specific providers. But it would be great if you could! Yes, there's no way around the money side though unfortunately - whichever way you look at it, it's going to be an expensive endeavour.

[@joygallavan6790]

please dont even think of buying land to live on anywhere near a national park an AONB or even agricultural land if you dont want to run an agricultural business

[@youtubeyoutube936]

The planning system is straight forward no dwellings outside defined settlements unless required for a genuine essential agricultural need is the basic. Essentially people want to live off grid but only if the land around them is protected from someone else turning up and doing the same

[@offgridpath]

This is true but there are certainly ways to do it without the agricultural need but with huge risk

[@youtubeyoutube936]

Batheinchampagne. So you wanted a house in the countryside or connected to agriculture. What makes your desire more important than Jo blogs who might want the same but is a plumber? It’s pretty straightforward, dwellings in the countryside are restricted to an essential horticultural agricultural or forestry need.

[@janebaker966]

I've often wondered and with some amusement how it would go down if another family put a shed/cabin/house in a plot adjacent to an off grid dweller with intentions to do similar. Would the Planning Laws suddenly become much more relevant. Maybe the two families would become best pals in a Little House On The Prairies cutesy way. Maybe they'd swap veggies and kill each others fatted pig. Or would they get on each other's nerves. Would one family be tidy and well organized and the other have old engine bits and rusty corrugated iron sheets all over the place? And then maybe a third family would be attracted,in that way people always sit by your table in a previously empty cafe,suddenly youve got a village,a good place to raise kids they say. Now if all you three settler families are white British ...........what if you three families have brown skin and are not from a british isles ethnicity. That has never happened yet and it seems unlikely but,does that feel different. How can you be a SETTLER and create a SETTLEMENT in an already settled and populated land. Maybe there's someone we can ask? I'm just saying asking questions,extrapolating. Anyway you have to get the money together first and buy some land,and land is expensive. How annoying is it to work and save hard for 40 years,finally buy that plot in the country then get a new housing estate or a link road driven past your boundary,suburbanising your rustic dream. People think it is Hunting, Trapping and even commercial Farming that eliminates WildLife. It's not. It is Suburbanisation that the Faeries fler from. Dull,prosaic tedious and Banal.

[@cormchm2853]

@@janebaker966 Where is this you are talking about now? Is it the northwestern European isles?

[@Dartmoorreachalpacafarm]

Great site guys. We are soon to build and document our straw bales house build on KZbin. 😊

[@FroztyJak]

Just sat and listened through this whole video. Great info thank you. Me and my wife are looking into buying land, not so much to live off grid, but because she has horses that she currently rents stables for. We feel that paying a mortgage for a house to live in whilst paying rent for the horses could be consolodated and possibly even save us money by having a large enough property to have the horses at home. The field to farm approach appeals to me because I have always loved the idea of becoming a farmer! Problem is, I havent got a clue about land ownership, building a home, how to farm etc etc. Basically I havent got a clue about anything relevant to buying land to live on with horses! Wish us luck haha.

[@comicsgatekeeper9746]

There was an episode of grand designs that dealt with the 65% self sufficiency rule. Obviously the house building was the main focus of the episode.

[@offgridpath]

Hmmm, i'm not familiar with that but it very much sounds like the One Planet Development where the house and land needs to provide 65% of your needs. Without seeing the episode I can't be totally sure but i'd bet that the house is in Wales and it comes under the One Planet Development. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment

[@lemonladyYT]

I paused the video at that timestamp to read the comments and see if anyone else had mentioned this. It was featured by Ben Fogle in his New Lives in the Wild series and a revisit. Yes, it's Wales and One Planet Development applied. On the first programme they had been living there for a couple of years and were under extreme pressure with the monitoring and reporting. It is critical because (and my reason for commenting) they absolutely would have been kicked off the land if ALL parameters were not met by the set date. That includes completely clearing the land of ALL signs of occupation. Thankfully, on Ben's return visit, they were able to report success. They are both fascinating episodes and the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of this couple are outstanding. They were both previously veterinarians. The episodes are: Season 13, Ep 1 and Season 14, Ep 2 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild. Wales Mountainside: The Watkinson Family. They are online: matthewwatkinson.wixsite.com/beeviewfarm

[@bennyhawkins1230]

Excellent Information. Very concise and easy to follow. Thank you.

[@livershot940]

Absolutely fantastic content. Could you do one on Northern Ireland. I would be very interested to learn of the differences in legislation, especially the field to farm concept.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks so much!!! Funnily enough, I have just finished my second book which covers the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland - it will be coming out on the 3rd December!

[@livershot940]

Excellent, I shall be purchasing that.

[@JayJay13661]

Thank you so much for this extremely informative video, kudos

[@jeremykemp3782]

What if you have 12 separate acres scattered around the UK? How lovely would that be , different scenery every month

[@offgridpath]

Sounds like a glorious idea and can't see any issues with that!

[@rollthetape88]

yes what constitutes as a farm? 12.5 acres but what if a potion of the land is across the border of another country inside the UK?

[@janebaker966]

Nice idea.

[@andybrown6179]

What a fantastic video, packed full of in-depth information. Thanks for taking the time to make it. I do have a question though. I noticed that you didn’t mention “Woodlands”, was there a reason for that? Because I was thinking about trying to set up in one. Thanks again. Absolutely brilliant 👍

[@offgridpath]

Thank you for your kind words, it's greatly appreciated! I didn't go into woodland because I don't know enough about it. From what I know, it is possible but a lot harder. Wishing you the best of luck with it all it would be a very cool project indeed. Thanks for watching and thanks for your support

[@Beliefisthedeathofintellect]

No it's not.

[@stephencollins9062]

​@@Beliefisthedeathofintellectwho pissed in your cornflakes?

[@Beliefisthedeathofintellect]

@stephencollins9062 is not a case of who!!

[@Beliefisthedeathofintellect]

@stephencollins9062 Lies are a prejudice against the people. Just bcos you don't realise they are lies. Don't make them facts. The mass psychosis is stronger than ever. People will allow death and allow a mass compartmentalised nation, based on an assumption. The mass retardation is evident everywhere

[@BytorFAO]

Amazing job you must be really proud of yourselves

[@offgridpath]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that, we're definitely happy with the result and loving life. Very lucky indeed

[@BethyS13]

This is a fascinating video, and the comments are also very interesting. Im not sure if you have already done something on this but i wonder how it would work on land already permitted for residential use e.g. an old run down house (not listed grade etc) if you built a small sustainable building on the land within the stipulations of shed/summerhouse/cabin which fall under the need of planning permission. Could you then knock down the house and work the land, living in the cabin? I also want to say I love your positive attitude both in the video and in your replies to comments. You welcome new knowledge and support people getting along and community. Sometimes to 'fight' a point can be standoffish and make a point go unheard - we can learn and educate each other without name calling and accusations. I particularly love your message to get along with local community - people are social creatures and there is no harm in getting on with your neighbours (quite the opposite in fact 😊) and getting along with your postie is a wonderful thing in many ways. Thank you kindly

[@offgridpath]

So firstly, on the second part of your comment, thank you so so much. That's a really lovely thing to say and especially go out of your way to comment on it. I really do appreciate that! On your first point, i completely see where you are coming from. I can't see it being an issue but it would involve going down the planning route but I can't see there being a problem. Essentially what you are doing is replacing the property that is already there (perhaps in a different location). I guess some would argue that it's not the most financially wise move because generally people value traditional houses over cabins. I would want to live in a cabin over a house any day. I think essentially if you're buying land that is already classed for residential use then there is very little you couldn't do. Unfortunately this issue with that land is it is always the most expensive. Thank you for taking the time to comment and thanks for your support!

[@DaleBerry]

Take a shot every time he says “essentially” 😂 great video though - thanks for the brilliant information

[@offgridpath]

hahaha! Yeah, that's a very good point. I think you'd be pretty smashed in the first 60 seconds! Unfortunately i don't script anything because I just don't have the time and want to get the content out so end up repeating myself a lot! Glad you enjoyed it though and thanks for watching!

[@happyglampers9053]

Thank you for sharing this insight. We started looking for a spot to live 4 years ago. At that time, there few helpful utube channels. Those you mention are very sound. If I may add that ‘The Off Grid Family’ and ‘Kris Harbour’ are also very well respected. David Ackerman’s book is very good. Sadly the forum he discusses is now defunct. Still a very informative read. Best Wishes🙏👏👍

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

I believe the field to farm book is now no longer available…..

[@offgridpath]

Thanks for watching and for your kind comment. I'll check out those channels, I appreciate the recommendation. I hope you managed to find some land and get settled on it.

[@offgridpath]

Ahh that's such a shame - maybe he'll release it again at some point hopefully.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@offgridpath I’ve tried contacting the author a few times so not sure what’s happened…

[@ianstokes-c6i]

u can get around all these laws, u can knock down grade 1,2,3 listed dwellings do anything u want to do ,and its very simple read on ,,,, build a back hander network from mps in london to birmingham and call it hs2

[@misterthegeoff9767]

I know someone who managed to knock down a listed building and rebuild it in the name of "repairing" it. He held the roof up with jacks, knocked the walls down, re-dug the foundations and re-used the bricks to build new walls, then took the jacks away and rebuilt the roof. In the end the building was about a foot larger in every dimension and not a single part of it was original except the reclaimed bricks. As for how he managed it? He lived next to a pub and every time the buildings inspector came round he bought him a pub lunch and a couple of drinks before taking him to see the latest developments. I wouldn't recommend that as a strategy but somehow it worked for him.

[@RandomInternet]

@@misterthegeoff9767 if a listed building is structurally unsound you can get permission to do that openly as long as you build it to look like the original. you do need lots and lots of paperwork for each listed feature. so sounds like the inspector was letting them off without the costly paperwork but it is a job they do allow in certain conditions

[@growapairepaire7354]

😂

[@Narrowboat.and.offgrid.living]

New sub here Just bought your book looking foward to learn about off grid living and rules and regs

[@offgridpath]

Thanks a lot and really appreciate your support! I hope you enjoy the book and let me know if you have any questions

[@sorosfox3801]

Very helpful , clear and detailed information. Many thanks

[@keithgarth1483]

Good video.. Knowledge is power. Thanks.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed it!

[@findermanimages]

What a great video. Thank you. My understanding of the 28 (60?) day rule was that was the amount of permitted days you could sleep on the land, not just be on / or visit the land. Maybe I have gotten myself confused with the car boot example. If I owned a woodland, for example, I could have a little shed in it to use for overnighting 28 / 60 times a year only. I could, however, physically visit and maintain that land 365 days a year. Is that correct?

[@RandomInternet]

yes visiting isn't a change of use. residential (sleeping) is a change of use . be careful as some councils will count a single nights stay as two days though as you where sleeping before and after midnight.......

[@auroradyz391]

I know literally hundreds of people who’d give their right arm to live off grid, me included. Seems like the 12.5 acre option would be the best and cause the least headaches. After a quick google however, it looks like we would need a cool million so that’s that idea out of the window! Typical irony isn’t it…those that actually need to live off grid to survive have no money so have no hope of ever doing it. Trapped!

[@offgridpath]

You have a very good point! It really comes down to compromise because there is certainly land in england over 12.5 acres that you can pick up for less than £50k. But you still need the money, there's no getting around that. We're in the same position, we couldn't afford land and have luckily found a farm that we could live on and we pay rent. Thanks for your comment it's greatly appreciated!

[@phoenixkali]

That's the price of living in the UK. I and many others moved to Ireland to off grid because plenty of land low value but they're catching on a putting new clauses and grants for updos on old hovels with a bit of land which pushes up wholesale price by 70k. And vacant dwellings now being charged property tax, there's plenty of sellers but they ask way too much on the "grant access" proviso which which will house very liveable but unoff-griddable. Don't go there.

[@janebaker966]

That is the whole point of The System. Freedom is not an Option.

[@georgeton4991]

@@janebaker966 EXACTLY

[@GWAYGWAY1]

@auroradyz391 Agricultural land averages £10,000 per acre, so £120,000 would do……

[@mihaiat3ka186]

When I retire I will surely go off grid but also surly not in the UK...a warmer country would make more sense, saving on resources and increasing productivity in the garden

[@NomadicNight]

I won't be dealing with any authorities like Council Tax, or having a postcode. I'll also be totally hidden away from any neighbours.

[@offgridpath]

I can't really mention that or encourage it on a video but yes - good on you, loads of people doing it and staying under the radar

[@NomadicNight]

@@offgridpath Thanks. I understand. I've had 40 years of stressful life, mostly caused by illness, poverty, and being forced to deal with companies who refuse to do things any other way than their own way, forcing me to comply. I'm about to cut ties with friends and family alike, and live out my senior years in peace, nature, and away from people. Thank you for your informative videos.

[@janebaker966]

Nowhere in England (can't say for Wales +Scotland,is that remote,even if it looks so superficially. Good luck to you.

[@NomadicNight]

@@janebaker966You're wrong. I'm already living proof of how remote it is, because I'm living out in Nature. Perhaps you'd like to call me a liar, since you're such an expert on my life, and you've been to every part of the UK, including every mountain, cave, field and forest ?

[@georgeton4991]

@@NomadicNight good on you.

[@chiselmetimbers7026]

Fantastic video mate, I've read the book also just need to get the ball rolling. I've put a link to your video on a couple different forums I follow as it's a question that comes up often. So if you get a spike in views you know why! Lol.

[@offgridpath]

Ahh that's amazing and greatly appreciated! Thanks for watching the video and for your kind comments. I hope the book came in helpful. Thanks so much for your support!

[@interestedpart2650]

Excellent! I wonder if theres an equivalent information Video on doing it in IRELAND? 🇮🇪

[@offgridpath]

Thanks! I'm not sure if there is but i'm sure it will be incredibly helpful because no doubt there would be some incredible plots in the Ireland!

[@fionnaheller1873]

Thank you for your very detailed advice and thorough approach. I have heard of the ''cheat'' you referred to and wish I could remember the precise details, such as name and place, but sadly cannot. So far as I recall a gentleman i England either did divide his field into 'parcels' to be distributed between relatives or proposed doing so. Either way, the move was challenged by his council and I gather he was not successful or discarded the idea. I stumbled across it whilst researching the question, not of living on the land, but of storing a caravan on it. There is a provision for temporary accommodation, such as a caravan, for agricultural or forestry workers to allow for looking after animals or for working in specific industries, certainly in Scotland and involves moving the caravan as soon as the period is over. In Scotland, at least, there is [or was] no apparent regulation that covers simply storing a private caravan in a field - but not living it at all. Could have changed since this was some years ago. I suspect that the days, when I was young, when it was easier to do the 4/10 year rule kind of thing are virtually strangled out of existence.

[@Chris-lh6hw]

I'm currently looking at buying land with the hope of being able to build a small home for me and my children. Sadly it's possibly the only way I can afford to do it after my marriage is coming to an end after 20 years. There's a lake near me and the land is for agriculture only. It would be a beautiful place to live. Thank you for your video.

[@stuartdann1261]

you can put a boat on your lake without permission. But it has to be mobile. In rivers, this is duchy/crown territory/moorings.

[@Chris-lh6hw]

@@stuartdann1261 thanks Stuart much appreciated 🙏

[@martinbennett9578]

Just bought your book! Getting it Friday!

[@DebMaddock]

Brilliant video, very informative. Have you researched how to set up and use a private members club to work outside of the usual rules?

[@offgridpath]

Thank you for your kind comment. I haven't actually looked into that unless you're referring to a community trust? But i'll check that out. Thanks for the comment!

[@RandomInternet]

a private members club requires specific sui generis planning consent for change of use outlining all the use's of the site to my knowledge. what had you got in mind?

[@vertanderniewithkat]

this is such a great video thanks for sharing it. I'm starting my journey to go off grid full time but its not easy

[@zodzod9378]

Very informative got rid of those silly myths we Know great vlog and well presented i know a lot of work went in to this vlog well done ! Little john from chichester

[@offgridpath]

Glad you enjoyed it Little John. Really appreciate your support and comment as always. Thanks!

[@DoubtingThomas90]

Su h a helpful video. I have managed to get a little capital and looking at to have my little slice of england with a cabin on it, coming accross so many obstacles and really helps coear thongs up. I thought field to farm might work but 12.5 acres is unafordable unfortunately. I was thinking..... could you buy land, get permission to build a small glamping site, thus bringing money into the area . Then lets say, one of those larger glaming cabins gets rented out to.....yourself, 11 months of the year.

[@offgridpath]

Thanks for the lovely comment. A great news that you're embarking on getting some land. To be honest with you i'm not entirely sure about the glamping side of things. You could do it under the 60 day rule but that is only for 60 days. If you were wanting 11 months then you'd have to register it as a legitimate campsite and unfortunately i don't know too much about it. It's an interesting question though as that could give you an income and a place to live! I like it!

[@nikk3251]

Please do another video on field to farm, thanks ☺

[@offgridpath]

I'm working on it and i'm also hoping to do a podcast with someone who is actually doing it to give you a real life example! Thanks for watching!

[@nikk3251]

@@offgridpath Great, thanks! Hope you post your podcast on YT - it's the only social media I do 😊

[@PBz420]

YOU ARE A LEGEND BUDDY!

[@offgridpath]

Well that's just bloody lovely! Thanks!!!

[@dorijoe]

This video just makes me want to leave the UK. It's absurd. Not to mention that 97% of the land is privately owned.

[@offgridpath]

I'm sorry it had that effect! It is really frustrating and i totally understand your standpoint. But that's not to say it isn't possible and there are plenty of people living happily having used these methods and also just doing it illegally under the radar

[@shraddashradda]

Yep the royal hand holds the land and not just in the uk, land the world over is owned by them…you pay land tax to them, it’s theirs

[@GrantHarri]

This is exactly why I left the uk -and moved to Mexico so much better in every way possible ❤

[@gushutchinson8758]

Totally agree with you.. It's SO counter productive.. We need housing and we need low or zero co2 emissions. Mike Reynolds global model EARTHSHIPS do it all.. Yet they are deemed unlawful!! It absolutely sucks!!!

[@gushutchinson8758]

@@onestopdoc it's a vile death grip round our necks.. Freedom and egalitarianism is what we want.

[@thomasholroyd2634]

Someone I know bought land and was refused planning permission, so he opened it as a small campsite and built himself into the community. When he went for planning permission again 4 or 5 years later he said it was to enable him to carry on running the campsite and his planning permission was approved. It is still a registered company/campsite but he is just really bad at getting customers.

[@stargazer1010]

Didn’t they need planning permission to open the campsite?

[@thomasholroyd2634]

@stargazer1010 No, just a license, I think, maybe planning permission for the toilet block (but I'm not sure).

[@stargazer1010]

@@thomasholroyd2634 oh that’s very interesting, a license - thank you very much that’s most interesting I’d love to have a small campsite - what sort of land would be the best to consider this sort of project, any idea? I’d like to get a small piece of land so I can live on it With a caravan or low impact dwelling and have a specialised theme maybe to attract like-minded souls who are wishing to connect with the land and have a retreat. thanks for your reply 😊

[@stargazer1010]

I’d love to visit and go camping, whereabouts in the country is it and do they have a website? It be great if they want to get more campers And I’d love to chat about how to do it.

[@lindamazur6124]

​@@stargazer1010I think the point was that he didn't want to be good at getting customers 😅

[@dantheman6698]

i heard that with the 4 and 10 year rule that council tax does not need to be back paid because council tax only applies when its recognized as lawful

[@offgridpath]

That's a good point, as far as i can tell this really comes down to where you live which is crazy! I know of people on both sides who have had to pay back dated council tax and those who haven't. I think it's best to go on the side of caution and then if you don't have to then it's a massive bonus and you've got some savings!

[@FreebornLivingWoman]

Council tax is slavery and is unlawful

[@JohnSmith-lk8cy]

In a forest you can have a caravan for forestry work for a 'season'. There is one president whereby the court was asked to define a season which as I recall was defined as less than a year. It wasn't specific as to what the year was. It's all available on google. Also the 4 year rule has gone for developments after 25 the April 2024. It is 10 years now in England.

[@JohnBK12]

It's great to hear about the different ways you can do it. Sorry if I missed it but did you say the one planet development will be coming to England? Thanks

[@offgridpath]

Thanks for the comment! It's not currently available in England and Wales but I'm hoping it will come soon. But ultimately it's up to the government so who knows!

[@michaelgrabowski467]

Thanks for sharing your information and knowledge! Very informative, as I'm thinking of this, which I was thinking it's a minefield and also very high brick wall the authority puts in front of you! You have informative information in easy to understand language as I too ain't no lawyer or barrister etc.! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and giving me food for thought!🤔👍😎

[@boptah7489]

The way that we did it was to 1/ Buy the land legally, 2/ write to the land registry telling them that we are no longer interested or obligated to use their services 3/ personally detach from the state in all matters legal. ie. No NI number, driving license, passport, bank account. 4/ live on the land as if you are the sole owner . 5/ Been doing this for 13 years. Because there is now no paperwork trail to the land or an 'persons' living on it. There is no 'address' for the council/state to communicate and so no joinder. . People need to understand that there is no such thing as a compulsory agreement in Britain. So ALL matters legal are optional if you have not consented to legal arbitration.

[@catherine2902]

Great to hear and we are also on the same page, we’re halfway, it’s slow but bit by bit we will achieve the detachment from the contracts they have hoodwinked us into. Asking for permission or begging dis-empowers men and women and something I’ve actually never really understood until I delved into the background of it and realised where it all began and how they’ve pulled it off. The final hurdle for us is not having a bank account and using their currency although Im guessing that fairly soon our Monopoly money is going to become even more dystopian with the proposed electronic tokens. How do you manage not having a bank account and how will you manage if “cash” becomes more of a scarcity than it already is, if you don’t mind me asking?

[@boptah7489]

@@catherine2902 Good question. Because we pay no taxes and have no utitlty bills and we grow most of our food because we have the land and time to do that, we don't need much cash. . I still use cash , and only cash. but if for instance i want something off ebay, I get my Mum to get it and then i help fix her shed/whatever. It is amazing how good you get at doing /fixing/ making stuff that it is hard to be poor. . We also have a tiny campsite for nearly wild camping which is cash only and we sell eggs and produce at the gate for cash. If they introduce a CBDC, then i have faith that a currency ( Gold backed) will find its way into existence.

[@offgridpath]

Loving this chat! I have always wondered about this and how it works and great to hear from someone who has done something similar. I would love to talk further to you about it if you wouldn't mind? Do have an email address that i could contact you on? I also love nearly wild camping and have used it a lot, great stuff!

[@annapachaclarke2392]

Wow, this is fascinating. I heard of someone else mentioning this, but did not know it could be done. Is there a way I could find out more please. 🙏

[@falls2shine712]

you "travel" in a car? or must have a friend or spouse who has a licence to drive for stuff?

[@AlexAlcyone]

so much depends on a) your relationship with your neighbours and esp contingent on how NIMBY they are b) how much of a mess you make. I know of quite a few situations where people didn't exactly keep the place clean and tidy and local ppl were more motivated to do what they could to get rid or be as obstructive as possible to any long term plans.

[@DogBarkBurgerBIRMINGHAM]

I have land and was contacted by a tiny homes company and they want to put homes on there and they said don’t tell council. My kind of company 😊 legal is a system you have to consent to. We all must choose to not participate. More of us that do it the better.

[@phillheth]

You can't just avoid obeying laws by not consenting to them. this is a stupid sovereign citizen idea. like it or not, we are subject to the laws of the land and ultimately they'll be enforced with violence.

[@baileyharrison1030]

If anyone who works in planning ever found out and for whatever reason decided to look at the planning permission on your land (very unlikely I know), you'd be ordered to demolish it all and that sounds like a horrible thing to go through.

[@RandomInternet]

try telling them you don't consent when they forcefully evict you with twenty goons and the police helping them.....or try telling the judge that and have them laugh at you. unfortunatly , no matter if that argument is good or not, they won't hear it

[@DogBarkBurgerBIRMINGHAM]

@@RandomInternet for that you would need to first not communicate with them. They can’t communicate if they don’t know who you are. Take it from an ex bailiff, i do everything I can to expose the fraud the Uk GOV commit ever since walking away from that job after finding out the fraud. You can even go as far as to say you don’t want to deal with criminals. They won’t challenge that.

[@sandrashane677]

@@RandomInternet His point is if thousands of people did it they wouldn't have the man power to stop the people. The difficulty is getting enough people to take that risk collectively.

[@craigdawson7632]

Possum trapping with a permit in NZ allows temporary structured to be built in the bush for 3 months. If you don't get very good numbers they probably wouldn't renew. You'd also have to move every 3 months but that is about the only time the fur is good in mid winter. They are trying to tighten the noose on this sort of stuff. They have just allowed a secondary dwelling to be built to 60m2. From the previous 30m2. I think that generally applies to a different group of people as you would have to jump through hoops for sanitary fixtures. It also has to secondary to a consented house on the land.

[@KyleBevis-u7j]

I don’t dispute anything in the video. I’m just so unbelievably fucked off about how hard this is. My friends and I (about 30 35yr olds) want to get the fuck out of cities, pool our resources, and start a multigenerational commune to make raising kids and looking after our parents easier. But Jesus Christ is it hard. Only 2% of the UK is built on, half of that is golf courses. 50% of UK land is owned by a few families that pre-date the doomsday book and land registry so we don’t know who they are. It’s an absolute joke that you even have to think about playing all these games to buy some land and live your life in relative peace. Fucks me right off.

[@mobileradiofitter]

I've got a good one, there's a road on the other side of the rear garden wall at my parents house, at the bottom of the garden which is 30 meters squared. I spent ages trying to find out who owns the road so I can open the wall to allow access. My gran sold the land where the road is in 1972. The man she sold it to sold it to the local council in 1974. The council signed it over to the council housing association in 2005. After speaking to the person in the council to ask permission to open the wall, it's gona cost 3k to do so. After I get an architect to draw up plans. It's my wall. So frustrating

[@Blue-Truth]

Great video Ben. Thanks for clarifying a few things and teaching me a little more. 👍 Only one slight mistake(?) I noticed was regarding your section on one planet developement. You mentioned the need to provide 65% of your 'basic needs', but then later stated (37:20) that 65% of your 'income' had to come from the land. Surely if you were producing food, generating renewable energy, spring water, wood rotation etc.. that would make up a massive chunk of your 'basic needs'... Your 'income' financially is a separate issue, surely? Anyway thanks again and really agree with your sentiment..! X

[@offgridpath]

Hey Chris, thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching! Really appreciate you comment and you raise a very valid point and I think I got that wrong on my end. You're right I don't think i'm correct in saying 65% of your income - I think i just lumped this in with food production etc. So thanks for correcting me on that!

[@craigdawson7632]

Very interesting, rules I think are a bit harder to over come in NZ. Having to get plumbing & electrical signed off. I don't think the council will back date anything unless they were getting paid. Some good general ideas for off grid living 👍 Also you needed to stoke the fire at about 29mins (the fan stopped).

[@TenableVegan]

I'm part of an org that buys up parcels of farmland, we crowdfund & receive donations then bid at auction for the land. Once successful we then turn that land back into wild land so nobody can use it for animal ag ever again. The potential to execute the 4 year rule on this land is obviously there so that those who care for this land can eventually end up with a legit dwelling on a tiny section of it. Currently the people who help with the land either just sleep in a tent or a camper/transit overnight a couple times a month.

[@offgridpath]

This sounds really really interesting - what is the organisation called? I'd love to look into it. Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for watching

[@joygallavan6790]

thats terrible !! no food being grown on agri land ??!! people have zero chance of using the 4 year rule on this kind of land,if you are selling it using that claim you are ripping people off,any agri land in the Uk can only be stayed on 28 days a year even if you are sleeping in a cardboard box without change of use to residential and that will never be allowed as you could not show you need to live on the land without a farming business,wild land looks after its self,Agricultural land is agricultural land for a very good reason leave it alone!!!!!!

[@bluebrrypie]

@@joygallavan6790farming isn’t a good practice, not with how industrialised it is now. it’s been one of the main causes in so many problems ecologically. i doubt this person buying small sections of land are going to tear down farming, so calm down. i actually think what they’re doing is a good idea.

[@joygallavan6790]

@@bluebrrypie "farming isnt good practice" lololol I suppose you think eating isn't good practice either and we should just stop to "save the planet" ? the UK has 60% food security now, meaning only 60% of the country has a chance of not starving to death if the supply lines collapse,once those farms have gone where do you think your food is going to come from?? from abroad,! how good for the environment do you think importing food thousands of miles is going to be? you really haven't thought this through have you,No Farmers No Food !!! what you going to be eating, earth worms and blackberries? ,good luck with that lol

[@user-nl2kt9jc9p]

We aren’t in America, we have some of the best animal welfare standards and our animals in the UK graze on grassland and don’t get crammed into pens and fed grains their whole life. But I guess you would prefer our British farmers to suffer and let us import meat from Brazil instead where they have destroyed rainforests to make space for cows. You vegans who this animal agriculture in the UK is a bad thing are so uneducated

[@Servant_of_Christ]

I got myself a tiny house I don't need land for. I bought a sailboat and rebuilt it to a live-aboard bugout survival pod that can stay out at sea self-sufficient for up to 10 years if needed. I don't have to wait 8 month for food to grow and I can go to anywhere I need to be. Now I'm parked outside a place called Italy, you might have heard about it, good food, nice people and very hot 🥵. 🇸🇪

[@phoenixkali]

What kind of lisence is needed for those that turn 2 acres into a legal campsite full of statics and temporary parkup for tents motorhomes etc.? Id love to know. The static renters usually have a legal stay of 11 months of the year as they pay rent or own static and pay ground rent.

[@offgridpath]

This is outside of my knowledge unfortunately but off the top of my head this would come under a caravan park which would involve a planning application to the council. It would be a great way to generate a revenue though whilst having somewhere to live!

[@phoenixkali]

@@offgridpath many in my fb off grid living group have suggested if weas a group or collective all buy bits of land and only stay on for the allowed 56 days then swap ppl around, either just by driving from one site to another or borrowing each other's cabins etc we could get around the rules. Some have pointed out flaws in the concept legally but I'd like to know what they are.

[@Parseenfroo]

I bought a bit of land near Hastings from a bloke called Gladwish, he used to advertise in the Exchange & Mart. I haven`t been down there for about thirty years, it`s probably a housing estate now.

[@matthewwakeham2206]

As I understand it the 60 day rule is a maximum of 42 consecutive days. I can't believe that £25k profit is required for a small holding seeing as many farms probably don't make that. £25k income maybe.

[@Dressagevids]

They used to work out the income necessary to fund a mortgage on a small house

[@jonwelderbeast.438]

I tried to get planning permission for 20 years for a plot of land between two houses in Langley Kent. The Maidstone planning officer told me “I would never get planning permission on my land, all the while he worked at Maidstone Council”. I sold the land to very nice travellers, who moved on to it with a mobile home at the Easter weekend. You should have seen the look on the locals faces, how we laughed!! I must stress, the travellers were really nice people, live in a lovely mobile home and keep the place immaculate, so best of luck to them!! 😂😂😂

[@legalfictionisfraud]

I love that story... I fear we are fast approaching a situation where legal land has become a nonsense. If only we could all agree to that fact?

[@garethboyd325]

Very useful video. Many thanks. It would have been even more beneficial if you could have included Northern Ireland too.

[@offgridpath]

Very true, i'm sorry about that. I'm currently working on a second more comprehensive book that includes northern island that will be out in December

[@phoenixkali]

Drones. Beware nosy drones. And low flying aircraft. Watch your own plot grow on Google earth over time. I can see my chooks on it.

[@phoenixkali]

I think British legislation covers northern Ireland, just a few Tweeks and burps but a good brief will guide you, this info is a great head start!

[@binmanblog]

We have planted several trees around our caravan as a wind break😉

[@Fake-moon-landing.]

You see developments poping up in the most unlikely places, and you think to yourself the only explanation is bribery and corruption.

[@offgridpath]

Yeah, unfortunately that's my first thought as well. And then to try and build something in keeping with the land is seen as something completely alien. But a high rise block of flats is no problem

[@janebaker966]

I got fed up with Grand Designs on seeing how filthy rich people can ignore ALL the planning rules and erect a huge bloody great ugly mansion smack in the middle of an Area of Outstanding Beauty and Huge Historical Significance and ruin the view and the landscape for everyone but themselves because they are in the bloody thing so the only ones who cant see it. They use a loophole in the Planning Laws. You can erect a house in Protected Landscape if it is of significant artistic and cultural merit. So you hire a big name architect,or an up and coming architect,or an architect who is famed for his or her radical designs and they design you a monstrosity that no one in their right mind would ever think of living in as a dwelling but is certainly a radical and unique design. It looks like a Snail Shell,or the Jedi Death Star,or the Monkey House at the Zoo but it works. Your architect explains to the Planning Committee how this radical design exemplifies the future of life in the 21st century and is packed with Zero saving features. So where no one could build a modest little house,or group of cottages,these rich as shit people can erect a monstrosity.

[@-j308]

That’s because those flats will offer a percentage out as affordable homes, and developers usually have a clause where a % of the build cost has to be donated to the city its building in. This is why you see random benches everywhere, a 10k. Contribution on a self built and self invoiced bench and your done but the affordable homes clause is why it gets passed essentially, it matches in with councils need to build council houses where as your self dwelling does not.

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

The government loves corruption, providing they’re involved and getting their cut.

[@Dave_1966]

Really interesting, thank you 😊 you’ve given me a lot of food for thought 😊

[@nic5779]

quick note about nieboures taking pictures and reporting the 28 day rule breaches, if they take pictures more than once or twice this comes under stalking laws, provided you report it the council can not use these images as evidence.

[@FoxtrotOscar9]

That's not true. Taking the pictures are for a lawful reason therefore doesn't constitute harassment and defo not stalking

[@nic5779]

​@@FoxtrotOscar9wrong check the case law...

[@Mikael-jt1hk]

you can take pictures of anything you want lol. Also, no amount of photos constitute ''stalking'' you absolute bot

[@nic5779]

@@Mikael-jt1hk wrong, google it, plenty of uk case law on this, and even more around nieboures cctv etc, of course you can take pictures but if you regularly go take images of the same person on private property where theres an expecation of privacy you risk prosecution

[@pbsa1979]

@@nic5779 There is no such thing as "expectation of privacy" outside. if it can be seen from the outside then it is in public, if you do not want to be seen then go inside and close the blinds...

[@damianbutterworth2434]

My parents live on 2 acres of protected woodland. Years ago next doors kept some cows on the land to get permission for a dwelling. Now they have huge mansion and my parents were only allowed to build on the same plot and 10% bigger when they knocked down the old wooden house. When I drove through the rest of the wood all the houses have been knocked down all these huge modern buildings have been built. Must be some back handers passing about.

[@FollowMe_1966]

At 57 I just want to "disappear" and live. The concept of off grid has never had such a stronger pull, but I do struggle to find the common term/meaning for "off grid". My mind eased with a lot if your video, then fogged with thinking, particularly with the field to farm ideology, if, & it will be a big if, I get to build a barn, then after a certain time convert it to dwelling, how could that be done without a) not having a London based, IT professionals income and b) keeping it all off grid? (Not a criticism of your efforts. Just a question that I hioe can be answered).

[@offgridpath]

Thanks for your comment and that's a very valid question. There are different levels of off grid and like you said people have very different views on it. For me, i still like my luxuries in life and i like the idea of off grid because i want to be in control of my own resources. When i talk about the field to farm concept you don't actually have to be off grid however it probably ends up being cheaper (dependent on how close you are to mains electric) than getting connected to the grid. That being said, it's not a cheap thing. It's a lifestyle change and it's A LOT of work. I don't want to pretend and say it's an easy move because it's far from it. However, in this day an age there are more an more people working remotely which increases the chances certainly more than 20 years ago to be able to earn a decent wage and work from home. However, with the field to farm concept specifically, it is very much a lifestyle change with the idea of getting into farming. So, most people that do that would be diving into farming full time to earn their income from that. For those who aren't lucky enough to have funds available for that, it would be a case of getting a business loan for your agricultural business. I hope that helps a little bit. Thanks for your comment and thanks for your support

[@janebaker966]

Can't be done. Thats yer lot. Off grid has become a general term devoid of it's original meaning. I live in a tower block in a city but in real terms I live more Off Grid than most of these supposed Simple Lifers do. The fact is actually living this kind of "Simple Life" is highly complicated,requires great organizational skills and constant attention to detail,mindfulness and vigilance,and it also requires a lot on infrastructure, equipment,tools,supplies. That can be the most expensive part of the enterprise and once you have a system up and running as long as you attend to it with scrupulous and constant attention it can be low cost. But this is the point. It's far from the calm,easy and laid back dreamy lifestyle we are encouraged to imagine,it's actually more demanding, structured and exhausting than regular living. Especially if you rear animals. Not much free time for hanging out on the porch smoking weed.

[@joygallavan6790]

@@janebaker966 im off grid as I bring in all my own utilities,no running water,electric or gas,that is all off grid means,people put such silly spins on it,I have no want to be "self sufficiant" Im more than happy popping to the shops using cafes ect and I hate all the work involved with off grid life,turning off the genny in the rainy and dark across the other side of the feild is rubbish,along with all our electrical things going caput due to us not having a fancy sine wave generator,saving our 1 bath between 5 of us a day water to flush the toilet is not nice either nor is filling a pan from out water butt to wash up heating it on the stove run by LPG which my husband has had to lug in along with the water,everyone who comes to my house loves the look,land and chickens in woods,but is maore than happy to go back to their on grid homes,I have no idea why "off grid" has become connected to "eco", simple life, self sufficent living, its simply not having piped in utilities,nothing to do with ideologies,my husbands family are travellers,they are off grid and spend most of their time on genny run sun beds !

[@joygallavan6790]

off grid is nothing to do with wanting to disapear,thats "dropping off the grid" off grid living means you are more in contact with authorities usually than on gridders,Off grid simply means you are not connected to piped in utlities,I am off grid but my husband works full time as a builder and plasterer,my children go to the local schools,I pay council tax and go to most village coffee mornings,just when I come home I have to build a fire and go outside to get water from a water butt if I want to do the washing up,no switching on the TV either until the evening 7pm when the genny goes on and lots of trips into town to get petrol and water,stealth van life living is the closest you will come to disappearing in the UK

[@katiethompson1674]

Maybe a stupid question but; what are the rules if you DONT by land that is 12.5 acres and over in size? What are the planning permissions/laws for living on the smaller sized land?

[@flogsometogs4539]

I noticed you did not mention Forestry land can you cover this please

[@offgridpath]

Very good point - i'll look into doing a video on that! Thanks!

[@TheFastestBlurAlive]

We bought forestry Land, there's far less detailed legislation on it but the likelyhood of getting lawful status for a dwelling is notoriously low. From our research you can site up to 3 caravans on forestry (exceeding 5 acres for more than one), without notifying the council at all. As long as they are used for 'Forestry' which can be to store forestry tools and shelter for 'Forestry workers'. As a 'Forestry worker' you can stay for up to a 'Forestry season' whilst performing forestry but there is no clear ruling on how long a season can go on for; in 1993 the High Court merely concluded that a season is “less than a year” and there is not really any clear legislation that determines 'Forestry'. If running into any problems and you also have a camper I cant see why you'd have any problems on a track or road alongside your land if its public access or shared and its safe to park, I'm sure the authorities would get tired of 'moving you on' every day, not to mention it just being inconvenient for everyone. I'm doing more research as its still not quite clear but you could also technically plant thousands of trees on agricultural land (since this does not require any planning), then apply for a change of use to take advantage of the vague Forestry legislation... or whether this is by default now considered forestry i don't know. Also something else to consider would be if enforcement issues you a notice to take down a building, put a bat box on it. write back to the council informing them that you cannot legally disturb the building yourself since bats are protected and that they would have to find someone at their own expense that is legally allowed to handle bats before you proceed. Obviously this is speculative and we have no experience as yet.. but we move in March so will just see what happens

[@Babettebsl]

Not sure how i got here but that was very interesting and informative

[@stoicepictetus833]

Thanks- I know now that I'll need to move to another country; not going through all of that bs.

[@offgridpath]

It is definitely frustrating, there's no denying that and there are cheaper easier alternatives abroad. It's just such a shame that they don't actively encourage being off grid and self sustainable. Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment

[@joygallavan6790]

my daughter lives in portugal,loads of people are doing it there,land is super cheap compared to here and much its easier

[@Nutmegsyourman]

The OPD stipulates that you're only allowed to drive a vehicle off your farm 4 times a day. This would make selling your produce pretty difficult. You'd almost have to cater your business model to the bureaucracy but that's not how the open market works.

[@offgridpath]

That's a very good point but realistically how many farmers would follow that as a rule. I imagine despite it being a rule I can't imagine it is strictly enforced or even followed. But it is definitely something to be aware of so thanks for point it out

[@Nutmegsyourman]

@@offgridpath Agreed. I wouldn't let any of the stipulations put me off. I'd be inclined to site it in the most advantageous position possible with the highest value business plan, put the cheapest, quickest to build cabin on it and invest profits from it to buy land elsewhere pref with a ruin on it for renovation. "The Farming Ladder" is a great book for practical ideas like this.

[@690Lighthouse]

Great help, many thanks.

[@u2kjib4cjkqn]

Become the local authority on the AP1 form

[@WhyHandlesNow]

I would be interested in your thoughts on class B and now Class BC permitted development in relation to the 60 day rule. In a way they have also closed the permitted development loophole regarding the legal definition of a "caravan" by only allowing "Motorhomes and campervans". They are also now stricter on the fact that all ancillary infrastructure by totally removed, where as previously a separate toilet or shower block could have remained on the land indefinitely.