Scottish planning policy welcomes Off Grid Living and building low impact dwellings

[@AdianGess]

Thank you so much, great info respect from the Highlands of Scotland

[@christinasmith6043]

Great info thank you somewhere to start!

[@mikespence4722]

I live in Spain at moment in a log cabin I am thinking of moving back I don't want to go to UK but would love to go to Scotland purchase some land and live off grid even something with a Ruin

[@mandycullen5355]

Thanks for the summary Richard, very useful. I've been trying for ages now to find a way to move back to Scotland from France, build a small off-grid place that's cheap to run and simple to maintain. Woodland would be brilliant, I'd love to to some light management work, coppicing maybe, plant some fruit and nut bushes, collaborate with like-minded independent souls. It's finding the woodland that's the hard bit, I've a chance of some work in Moray, but the only woodland I can find for sale is overpriced (being sold by a company who divide it up and sell on) It would be a build a hut and have mailing address elsewhere scenario, I think it's the only way I can afford to come back, just have to take my chances on neighbours grassing me up etc. I'm now looking at the Outer Hebrides, land is still affordable there, but would really prefer mainland Scotland. I'm not sure this kind of small development is a thing there yet, and there's not really any woodland to hide in! Any suggestions you can make would be really helpful, about finding land, putting a caravan on it while building.....anything really! Thanks again.

[@mikeharrison5087]

Great Richard thanks. I'd been really disappointed about England announcing the 4 year rule is scrap now. Thanks again really cheered me up 🍻

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Apparently it’s still not been scrapped, it’s still going through parliament. I think now Rishi is in power he’s trying his hardest to keep a low profile and not upset anyone….

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Great channel. Keep it up. Excellent content. Thanks you for sharing

[@WhipperdeetsAdventures]

Wow I think il look in to a land in Scotland and build a hut. I built my pannel van in to a camper and enjoyed it and would love to do this. I can’t afford a property. It’s soo expensive :) Thank you I need to look into this 😊

[@danivinson]

Really interesting video Richard, thank you. It's amazing as you say in this world the Scottish government easing restrictions! Years ago I had the idea for 4 individual huts built in a square joined by a roofed walkway, sleep pod, eating pod, utility pod etc. So this might be the way to do it. Well we're gradually moving more northwards, only a couple of hours away! 🤣 As all vikings I'm always moving looking for smallholding opportunities without the need for pillaging 😂. Thanks again.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

I’ve seen applications for 2 joined together with a covered porch then a separate toilet and utility block Think planners would refuse a block of 4… You could always get an agricultural barn or forestry building on the land too…

[@danivinson]

@@livingoffgridinscotland two huts with two sheds/utilities was the idea but in a quad.?? Depends on the planner on thd day...

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@danivinson only time will tell. What’s interesting is that the words “sustainable, off grid and low impact” will be entering Scottish local area plans which will probably cross reference to other areas of planning not just huts

[@danivinson]

@@livingoffgridinscotland I suppose once the precedent has been set you can push the boundaries for rural businesses that ask for planning. I only hope that people with an inordinate amount of money who are looking for tax breaks don't do this, buy up land abs stick holiday homes on it! It caused a massive spike in land prices particularly woodland in England.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@danivinson yes exactly, as soon as the first applications have gone through then low impact and off grid becomes enshrined in Scottish planning policy much as it has done in wales. Applications for larger off grid houses may be difficult but probably easier to argue now a precedent has been set

[@OFFGRIDwithPeniglenHomestead]

Great video very informative

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Thanks

[@stewartmackay]

This is good. I'm from the highlands and for years they wouldn't even consider anything natural, low impact, off grid etc. But they seemed happy to give planning for these unsightly featureless white shoe-box bungalows that have ruined many a good view.

[@jemase7931]

Wow, this audio is off. I can barely hear you when you are speaking. But those few notes when you showed your logo almost blew my eardrums out.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

It seems fine on our devices? Are you listening with earphones?

[@steveknight4090]

Definitely comes blaring out on my TV while watching KZbin

[@MrMonero]

Good vid as always. Still some limitations for families etc but deffo a good step in the right direction for many. I am still leaning toward building a barn and siting a static and going from there.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Well that’s the route we went down but it’s been a long old slog, and a static caravan is great in the summer but if you’ve got arthritis like me the damp really gets into your bones on the damp winter nights…

[@MrMonero]

@@livingoffgridinscotland we are still mulling it over but were leaning toward a few years in a static. Build up the business make a bit more money then apply for planning and build a small log cabin instead of a regular brick or stone house.

[@MrMonero]

@@livingoffgridinscotland I can imagine the cold / damp in the winter can get to be a chore. Do you have a log burner in your static? Would you ever consider insulating and cladding it?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@MrMonero we do have a woodburner, but it’s disconnected at present, going to have to fit a new flue in next few weeks We were going to insulate underneath, re frame the walls and fit an insulated roof but then we started building the Bothy…. I’ve stayed in a static in Benidorm mid winter with a pellet stove that heated the whole caravan with ducts (hot blown air heating) and it was lovely and so efficient, can’t find them stoves in the uk these days….

[@CraigKenny-rl8rf]

What are the limitations on families please?

[@Jasonsegade]

Started following you pal. Been listening to you for 4 hours today. I’ve restored a polish firetruck to a camper and business, but now getting the taste of wild camping and off grid, I’m now looking into doing it for real.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Glad you’re enjoying the videos

[@THENEONJAY]

Basically; buy land, build a hut, chill and enjoy your life without making a big scene. They will have to take you to court to get you to take down the hut, which they won't as they have relaxed the laws. Just be discrete.

[@joannealexander1015]

a building warrant is needed if the raised galley (loft) is larger than 8m squared I think, we are just getting our plans ready of putting in for a hut in dumfries and galloway and I noticed this condition in some guidance

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Yes correct

[@DANKB-bw3bt]

Is the 8m2 for a gallery inclusive of the 30m2 max internal floor area or additional? It’s not clear on anything I’ve read. Thanks

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Additional 30sq metres ground floor, additional max of 8sq metres loft Floor area is measured internally so walls can be as thick as you like which encourages eco builds such as straw bale construction or cob wood

[@chrysalis4126]

The music at 1.17 is deafening!!

[@steveknight4090]

The title music is too loud and comes blaring at you from the speakers compared to the rest of the audio in the video.

[@joshuajeffree9887]

Finally a bit of leeway in planning. It's not much but it's something and that is great news 👍

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

It’s baby steps toward a more sustainable planning policy

[@60andUP]

Thank you. That was really helpful

[@albinendler]

Does anybody know if there are any other countries in Europe that have pro off grid planning policies or are loosening up a bit about the whole thing? - Sclotland is loosening up - Wales with the One Planet Development Any others?

[@lapoguslapogus7161]

This Scottish policy is flawed and a wasted opportunity, because it limits huts and renovations to 30m2. But there are thousands of ruined stone blackouses across the highlands which are typically 35m2. Which are therefore too small to become houses, but are too big to be restored for recreational or intermittent use. I made a submission to the consulation, and said please make an exception for existing black houses ruins which are >40m2 but this fell on deaf ears.

[@SharpMoto]

Great Video I appreciate the information What would be the law surrounding letting out a hut/lodge under this policy? Wouldnt a holiday accommodation need building regulation approval to get a license for letting?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Huts are exempt from building regs due to their size. Much like a pod or mobile home is exempt. With regards to a liscence, that is a totally different subject altogether and something which is just coming into force in Scotland, different councils seem to be interpreting the rules differently and the main focus is to regulate rogue landlords who have been using a loophole in the law to avoid registering as a landlord by doing “short term lets”, this new liscencing system was brought in to regulate these rogue landlords as many were buying up lots of cheap flats and renting them as “holiday accommodation”

[@oootandaboot9431]

Great.

[@InvernessFarm]

Very informative. Thanks. Not related to this but I have a question. Am I allowed to keep a caravan on an agricultural land to be used as a storage space without the planning permission? I have a building which is 5 years old. It was built under permitted development. I also have a caravan there for the same length of time. Until now I had no issues. It is not used for accommodation. I mean I still use it to make tea and coffee and relaxing but mainly it is used as storage.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3yygnmlo79lmbc

[@paulrobinson3528]

Build the hut and I'll buy it for us to live in. Oh air bubbles 😆 oh, my post will go to Ian 😆

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Probably take me 5 years to build it 😂 Hopefully do the planning application in the spring…. My brain can’t cope with the paperwork just now 😖

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@livingoffgridinscotland air bubbles wtf? Air b n b 😆

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@livingoffgridinscotland 5 years????? Should tie in with retirement just right ✅️

[@jamesdeegan7365]

could always make a donga ( australian house )

[@joaobranco3785]

Hi,I need to know if I can get to Scotland and l8ve off grid please

[@utubeape]

What do you think about the max size hut that has underground rooms, built in a dugout style, waterproof etc, do you think that would be permitted? Also, when the regulations say 'recycled materials'... could this include an entire other dwelling that has been demolished and put in skips, then carted to the new location and used for rebuilding? I used to live in D&G, I can't imagine moving back though, (being English!) though I was there at a bad time - Braveheart, Euro 96

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

I don’t think underground rooms would be allowed… and yes your take on recycled materials is correct, skip diving or collecting unwanted or damaged new materials off local construction sites that would otherwise go for landfill

[@utubeape]

@@livingoffgridinscotland Very fast answer. Its still too restrictive to live though, maybe nice for a wealthy person to have a kind if allotment / country retreat somewhere, and they get someone to build a nice small wood cottage, but not for poor people to try and own property that is within their budget. I think I would have to go to eastern Europe or even Russia if possible to build a proper off grid home that also doubles as a workshop / studio

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@utubeape all depends on whom is in your household. Obviously you can use permitted development rights to build a “barn” next door that could house your office, utility room etc, 30sq metres plus 8sq metre sleeping loft is similar size to most modern 2 bedroom new build flats….

[@utubeape]

@@livingoffgridinscotland Thanks for that, what I want to do is an open plan 27feet wide dome,completely off grid and have it as a gilding workshop too, inviting artists to come and stay to learn techniques that would enable them to enhance their work or save money when picture framing. The nature of the work makes it difficult to live away somewhere else. I already have the design because its something I can build myself, only I would be living there, and I would need to build a cabin for 2 years or so while the build was taking place.

[@pawsitivecanineservices]

Hi if the permitted development act is 12.5 acres in England you mentioned it's smaller in Scotland. Can you tell me what acreage it is in Scotland. I have just bought 7 acres. It already has a derelict barn on it with planning for a 4 bed house, but I don't have the funds to build the house. I want to put down some hard standing and live off grid in a container house. Ideally want to do as much as I can via permitted development act.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

1 hectare or 2.5 acres

[@pawsitivecanineservices]

Thank you!

[@pawsitivecanineservices]

Would I have to rent a further 6 acres to make up the 12.5acres or is it do able as long as you own 2.5 acres? I can't find any information on it for Scotland.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@pawsitivecanineservices it’s 1 hectare or 2.5 acres in Scotland Totally different to England

[@dobsondwd]

It's actually 0.4 of a hectare just been through it for a orion notification application on croft land

[@thebaldyhippy]

Have you anything to say on a, you say "hut" I say "bothy" being underground or partially underground, maybe, dug into a mound with soil walls and turf roof with proper drainage of course. Anything on the legalities my friend?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

It depends on what and how it’s built. Scottish hutting policy states that the building must be removable without leaving an impact on the environment, so that would proclude the use of concrete blockwork etc

[@psychorock83]

would someone tell me where I should look to find what features a land needs to have to build a log home/cabin in the UK???

[@phoenixkali]

Planning permission. Every single time.

[@simongigney2138]

Dude, so if I could purchase a piece of freehold land. I Wana build a pair of small (2bed) cabins so we could live off grid out the way. Would you mind messaging me. Cos I really could use some detailed advice cos I'll have budget for it. Even the skill to build. Just all this planning shite that scares me Lol

[@TunaCrunch]

Would a shipping container pass?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Definitely not….

[@pebbles8022]

Are you only allowed one hut no matter how many acres you may have?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

No, most applications are for 2 or more huts Larger schemes though probably won’t be decided my a local planning officer, they’ll be refused and have to be granted upon appeal My advice would be to apply for a couple of huts, then apply again for more in the future.

[@pebbles8022]

@@livingoffgridinscotland thank you, we are a family of 4, and to be honest we would all prefer our own spaces 😂 lol our youngest son is 18.

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@pebbles8022 it’s quite common to see schemes of 2 huts, I even saw one where to 2 huts were joined by a covered deck area….

[@ORDWIFEY]

What height can it be?

[@ORDWIFEY]

Great info thanks!

[@Srindal4657]

You really need to change your intro. Its so loud and sudden

[@johncole8530]

I like your videos but hate the loud intro thing you do doesn't sound like it is good for laptop speakers way too loud way louder than the rest of the video I would rather it not exist at all or be much quieter thanks

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

It’s not on the more recent videos

[@connorwilson8078]

Do u need to pay any tax or that?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Tax on what? A Scottish hut? Not as far as I’m aware

[@LofiWurld]

Im England they’d probably make you soo I’m not surprised on that question

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@LofiWurld scottish huts are exempt from council tax as long as it’s personal and occasional use

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Yes

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@HowDidIGet3700Subs personal use, not permanent, so you could live there 364 days a year, you can’t rent for financial gain, you can allow friends, family, supporters on your patreon, youtube etc and you can accept a donation for a stay, but not commercially rent

[@rockstarofredondo]

People in the US use tires for earthship builds all the time. What’s disgusting about it?

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

They degrade and leach pollutants into the ground, the USA is maybe different, but in the UK tyres have to be disposed if properly, and you get prosecuted if you don’t…