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GaiJin

Joined: 06 Feb 2014
Posts: 8
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 9:04 am Post subject: Hi

Hello to everyone,

Just joined Downsizer.

Currently living in Yorkshire and looking to go off-grid. Our property is not suitable so we will be moving.

We had a move to Canada all planned but a recent illness in the family has put this on hold - medical fees in Canada ï¿½ urrh.

Now looking at UK alternatives.

Interests include: self-build, aquaponics and coppicing.

Looking forward to swapping ideas & experiences with the community.

Cheers

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9895
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 9:35 am Post subject:
welcome

Ginkotree

Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 2956
Location: south west wales

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 9:55 am Post subject:
Sorry to hear your plans have had to change, hope things can turn around for you..good luck with your new ventures.

GaiJin

Joined: 06 Feb 2014
Posts: 8
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 10:18 am Post subject:

Thanks Ginkotree,

Its a shame but you never know - things may change. We have 11 acres over there, overlooking a valley and hills - with an option on another 49 acres. Gave us a nice big chunk of woodland, a couple of streams and a whole lake. It was just 7 minutes from a really nice friendly town and just outside a national park. Couldn't have been better.

Planning officers were really helpful and we could have gone totally off-grid (apart from internet). House plans were drawn up and everything ï¿½ best laid plans and all that.

Now looking at trying to do something similar in the UK. I'm not looking forward to dealing with the planners over here. Past experience has shown them to be quite narrow minded and set in their ways.

Anyway, lots of discussions going on as we look for a way forward. The aim is to be totally energy self-sufficient and to be able to grow most of our own fruit & veg. Whether we go down the smallholder route with livestock I'm not sure yet.

GJ

MornieG

Joined: 17 Jan 2013
Posts: 933
Location: Bromham, Wiltshire

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 10:31 am Post subject:
from Wiltshire, welcome to DS. Mo.XX

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46404
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 11:29 am Post subject:
hello ,nice mutt

Barefoot Andrew
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 22780
Location: In the 17th century

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 11:39 am Post subject:
Greetings from Derbyshire A.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9895
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 11:45 am Post subject:

GaiJin wrote:

sorry to hear of the illness and having to give up a plan that does sound lovely - is it that easy to get into Canada? What part of Canada? and where in UK are you aiming for now?

GaiJin

Joined: 06 Feb 2014
Posts: 8
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 12:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Nicky,

Canadian immigration rules are quite complex. It would be a huge post to go into all of them.

Basically you need to have a sponsored job, have relatives there (e.g. resident child so that you can get in on one of the family visa options), be sponsored by the local municipality on the basis that you are valuable to the local community or a well thought out business plan or existing business that can be demonstrated will produce income of a minimum level set by Canada and that you can support yourself without becoming a burden on the state. Once working there for a couple of years you can apply to stay - not guaranteed - but if you have stayed out of trouble, paid your way, supported yourself, integrated well and generally been good boys & girls it should be OK.

We have land in New Brunswick.

Currently looking at South Wales just in case we can't get things back on track.

My problem is that I want to build not just buy and that brings into play a whole load of planning issues in the UK.

Canada are much more relaxed (or at least the planning officers we spoke to were). The land is outside the town boundary and we can build whatever we like as long as it meets building regs.

I'll be starting a thread soon to see if anyone on here has experience of gaining planning permission in a rural setting.

GJ

bobs

Joined: 02 Feb 2014
Posts: 105
Location: somerset

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 12:38 pm Post subject:
welcome .. look forward to reading your posts

GaiJin

Joined: 06 Feb 2014
Posts: 8
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 12:42 pm Post subject:
Cheers

Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 12:45 pm Post subject:
Bonjour from France

GaiJin

Joined: 06 Feb 2014
Posts: 8
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 1:13 pm Post subject:
Bonjour, Je ne parle franï¿½ais, parlez-vous anglais s'il vous plaï¿½t I did build 2 houses in La Souterraine (Limousin region) a few years ago though. GJ

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 2:01 pm Post subject:
Hello and welcome.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4642
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 14 2:16 pm Post subject:
Aye up Shame about the change of plans but things have a way of working out in the end.

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