J.D

Looks to be a popular motor does the transit, never had one for over 10 years (was an r reg I think ) though so don't know much about that age of motor ? Anything a paticular problem on them I should look out for ? Oh and I could do with a 12 foot load bed if they made them?

Would that be the 308 without power steering mate ? Reason I ask is I can't drive any motor without it, old war wound, well whiplash at least ;-) JD

Whats the best make / model of pickup or flatbed I can buy for around £2.5k, I know it's not an awful lot of money lads, but needs must etc. Need it for fence panels etc, thought about a dbl cab for storage of tools etc, and it will hopefully do away with the need for a trailer which is what we need if we keep our panel van. LDV, TRANSIT OR ???

The idea of using his loader etc is good, never thought about it like that. I'm off to see a farmer freind of the family later today or tomorrow, at the least might know of somebody else with space.

The site would be in Ccumbria and is needed as quick as possible mate.

Cheers for that, alarm set and camera ready.

Thanks John. Very much apprecieated.

Just an afterthought, what are the best publications/online sources for buying woodland ? Cheers

Thanks for the reply, some very interesting points to take in there. I'm going to spend some time tomorrow visiting local farmers to see if they can spare some land, The above advice could be invaluable. Yes, I'm based in Cumbria. Many, many Thanks. JD

Suppose so, I better get looking then, those steel buildings dont cost that much to erect I think i heard somebody say, so it might work out about the same money at a push !!! Heres hoping anyways.

I would love to buy a unit but I don't know of any available at the right price mate. As for just going ahead regardless, I this not a major risk ? They would have me closed down in no time and I'd be stuck with something I maybe couldn't sell on, I'd be tempted mind you, as there isn't a great deal of other options locally. How much are we talking about for a bit of a farmers field btw ? Cheers

Cheers mate, I'm waiting for the offfical letter before I go any further although i'm not holding out much hope as this council is very well known for being difficult.

The land around the building issue is to do with works vehicle parking I think. We are wanting to use the building as a workshop also mate. They say there will be noise and other problems created for neigbouring properties etc.

I spoke to one before hand and he said it should be ok as it used to be a farm store, but the planning was changed to domestic garage etc, will ring him again and see what he says though.

Morning folks, Our local council has refused us informally for a change of use of a domestic Garage(a very large garage) to a store / workshop on the grounds that it's in a residential area and there is insufficient land around the property ? Not sure why this would matter but still, they say I would have to apply for planning permissions and they would look unfavourabley at it. So, What options are likely to be open to me taking into consideration we have looked at renting and been put off by high rents and locations etc. How much for instance would it cost to buy say a piece of farm land and erect a steel building, perhaps 50 ft x 50ft give or take, would the council allow this kind of development ? I know this is a bit ambiguos (sp) but I'm at a bit of a loss really men. Any suggestions very welcome. Many Thanks JD

3 or 4 inches of snow on the west coast of Cumbria, and more looking like falling.

Unfortunatly not mate, It was originially a baujo (sp) cow shed or whatever they are called then it was used as a milk depot.

Cheers for the reply, I thought once a property had had business use it could always be used as such, I will get onto the guy who used it as a depot for his milk round biz a few year back and see if he can help. Cheers

We have been looking for premises for the best part of the year now and firstly we looked at renting places, which in the end was decided wasn't viable, in the main, small poxy single skin, none heated buildings were gonna rush us for £75 per week upwards. So, just as we was giving up hope of finding the right place we came across a large barn that is being used as a domestic garage and is for sale. The barn has previously been used as business premises but has had a change of use to domestic garage for some reason. Me being naive thought it will only be a formality to get a change of use back to a workshop, but oh no, according to a guy at the Council planning dept he says it might not be allowed because, A, you must have designated parking space for works vehicles ( I said there was room inside, but he didnt seem convinced ) ? and B, we will have to visit the barn to see if that kind of development is allowed in the area. Its beside a main road, in a semi residential area of town ? Any bods on here no out about planning ? JD:cursing:

When did you become me then ? Spookily similar to what we are doing at this exact minute that, In fact I'm just off to the solicitors to sign for our new worksop, where we are going to make Sheds, play huts etc etc, Idea is to have somewhere to work over the winter and......

Been at it about the same amount of time now mate and I feel your pain, we have had a really poor year this time round and next year looks even tougher, one of our main earners have upgraded all the contracts, meaning a huge layout in new machinery (which we can't stand )and the specs are watertight in there favour meaning extra this, that and the other. As a rule,we have found Grounds Maintenance to be a hard nut to crack, we are too small for the really big jobs and the smaller jobs mainly dont pay to well, So we are gonna cherry pick a few good local paying sites and do away with any bad payers or ball aches, plus lose the above mentioned contracts. We increased the number of Deck installations over the year and expect this to rise next year to take up the shortfall. Good luck and if I can be of any help just ask.

Hi, can you email [email protected] please fella.

Lots of positive comments tonight, sounds like great fun, I'm sold ;-)

Some brilliant advice here lads, thanks, keep them coming please.

Will the wall of straw not be a fire risk mate ?