Cob 'barn'?

[Nikki]

Hey all.

We'll be going down the 'field to farm' type route soon enough. Part of this process is applying for prior notice of agricultural use building. I've searched everywhere for information on what are the materials criteria for such a barn but cant find it. I've read that the materials from which you make you're barn are crucial to complying with planning requirements.

We would love to try a cob shed/barn structure rather than anything steel or tin, but wonder if this is allowed or if anyone has attempted it.

[Green Aura]

I have no experience of this, but I would imagine that each area has its own rules.

For example, in the Peak District you're not supposed to use red brick (well used not to anyway) so I think your best bet is to check with your local planning dept.

It all sounds very exciting though - we'd like pictures please, before during and after!

[doofaloofa]

I'd go for timber frame with either timber cladding or wattle and daub/lime render finish

Or maybe a straw bale

I'd be worried the pigs would burrow out of cob!

Thatch would be nice for a roofing material

[mamos]

Cob is a fantastic material and I love the look and feel of cob but it is just too labour intensive for me.

I would probably go for straw bail and if you have enough land to go down the field to farm route you could allow a local farmer to use one of your fields for growing wheat in return for the bails. Now that would be a local building material.

Paul

[Green Aura]

Something just occurred to me, with regard to planning, if you are wanting to go down the route of more "unusual" building materials. (I put it in quotes as cob shouldn't be unusual really, it's been round for hundreds of years).

Many planners are wary these days of folk trying to build barns that might easily be converted into dwellings (housing by stealth sort of thing). Metal prefab constructions by and large don't fall into that category so proceed fairly easily. You might find yourself having to explain your choice of materials and why you particularly want it for this project.

Or your planners may have a more enlightened approach. It has to be worth considering though - it can get quite pricey getting suitable drawings etc for the planners.

[Nikki]

Thanks everyone.

Metal prefab constructions by and large don't fall into that category so proceed fairly easily. You might find yourself having to explain your choice of materials and why you particularly want it for this project.

Yes, thank you. I was coming to realise myself after looking at what we had to submit, that we would be making it difficult on ourselves if we tried using 'unusual' materials. You confirmed it for me.
Our first priority is to get an outbuilding on there and get ourselves on there soon after, so going with timber/brick/metal sheets has got to be the way and the cob can wait for the future house (she says thinking positively ;) )

[Green Aura]

Very sensible. Someone who used to be a member on here (can't remember who now) wrote about getting planning permission by stealth. Obviously legislation may have changed but at one point the only chance was by proving you needed to be there for your business. So get that part sorted and then look to your dwelling. I'm guessing there's sufficient (written) material on cob to get that through eventually - you may need very good architect plans though.