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therebuilddiarys

@therebuilddiarys

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🌳🏡🌳A modern self-build with a traditional heart. 🤍 Inspired by the Forest. Built for family life.
Follow our journey from demolition to forever home.

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We appealed… and we won! 🎉🏡

Planning permission was granted in November 2025, but there was one big catch… all of our Permitted Development rights had been removed.

That was a pretty major problem for us because we were relying on PD rights for our rear extension, outbuildings and a few other bits we had planned.

We were quoted £1,500 by a planning consultant just to write the appeal for us, so I decided to have a go myself.

After a LOT of research, reading planning policies, going through previous decisions and with plenty of help from ChatGPT, I submitted the appeal.

And somehow… we won! 🙌

Honestly, one of the biggest wins of this whole build so far. It meant we could keep the plans we had for the house without paying someone else £1,500 to argue the case for us.

Very happy little planning victory. 🤍

#SelfBuildUK #PlanningPermission #PlanningAppeal #ForeverHome #TheBuildDiaries by @therebuilddiarys

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a month ago

I didn’t expect to miss our old house this much. 🥲

We spent years slowly making it feel like us — every colour, finish, handle, random little detail.

And now I’m living in a rental surrounded by samples, plans and approximately 847 decisions for the new house 😂. #selfbuild #ukselfbuild #interiors #homeinspiration #buildingahouse by @therebuilddiarys

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24 days ago

What do you think?? by @therebuilddiarys

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25 days ago

Warm & cosy ✨ or bright & merry 🎄🌈

I genuinely can’t decide which Christmas version I love more 😂
Apparently even imaginary Christmas lights are now another self-build decision.

Which one are you choosing? 👀

#selfbuild #ukselfbuild #christmashome #homebuild #newbuildjourney by @therebuilddiarys

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If you’re a self-builder, you’ll know 😂

I’ve been told to “trust the process” approximately 847 times since we started this build, so I thought I might as well make it permanent.

Still don’t trust the process, FYI. 😂

#SelfBuildUK #SelfBuildLife #TrustTheProcess #BuildingOurHome #SelfBuildJourney by @therebuilddiarys

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Apparently buying a wreck, knocking it down, surviving planning, winning an appeal and rebuilding an entire house is where I’m most comfortable.

Ask me to make one bloody Reel and suddenly I’ve lost all basic life skills. 😂

Three apps, approximately 47 tantrums, one missing soundtrack and an entire morning later… I have accepted that I am, in fact, better at building houses than using Instagram.

Excellent. Exactly the skill set I was hoping for. 🙈

#SelfBuildUK #BuildingOurHome #RenovationHumour #InstagramStruggles #TheBuildDiaries by @therebuilddiarys

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And that’s the story so far… 🏡🤍

We bought a very tired little house, decided to knock it down and rebuild, had more than our fair share of drama along the way, fought a planning appeal — and won 🙌 — and finally watched demolition begin.

Now we’re here, watching our forever home slowly come to life. There’s still a long way to go, but seeing something that’s lived in my head for so long actually becoming real is pretty bloody special.

Also… this is my first ever Reel and I’m completely new to all this, so be gentle with me 😂🤍

This is the dream. ✨

#SelfBuildUK #HouseBuildJourney #DreamHomeBuild #BuildingOurHome #TheBuildDiaries by @therebuilddiarys

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