Rebecca Daws

On the external walls we're building a stem wall on top of a rubble trench, ideally I want to aviod having to use the same method again for interior walls. But i might as i really do like the thick chunky cob walls.

You can apply for outline planning before purchasing a site, to see if your plans will be accepted before purchase. These plans are not as detailed as full planning permission, so you have to then apply again after outline planning permission.

I love the idea of the built in shelves, so it probably will end up being a room full of shelves and books somewhere in the house!

Ah, i like the idea of using an infill method, may consider that. I just hate the idea of having to dig more foundations if we dont have to. Plus we have picked an easy roof idea, and with the super strength of cob, hopefully an infill won't impact our roof.

I know exactly what you mean about the sweeping. I used to sweep a cobbled yard at an equestrian facility. Blood, sweat and lots of my tears later it was finally clean!! I think i might use the leaf tiles as a bit of decor in an area to aviod more hours of me crying when im sweeping! Im debating on embedding them into an earthen floor, rather than a traditional grout method, will have to have a play around with the idea, cause at least if I cover the cordwood in resin, no small gaps that i have to sweep!

Helloo from the UK!!

things are really picking up for us, as we are making finance applications and looking for areas to begin our build, so fingers crossed it all looks promising so far.

I could really do with some advice however on internal cob walls. My other half says that it would be best to use stem wall foundations (like we are using on the exterior) and build slimmer cob walls, so I can make shelving units, for all my books and trinkets. I'm convinced that there must be another way, so I'd be intrigued to know what methods you have all used, or would recommend. To help, it's a cob roundhouse, 13m internal diameter :)

Also, I would love to have a resin floor somewhere in the house, but of course cob likes to breathe, I've attached a couple of pictures of the flooring styles that I personally love (one with leaf tiles, and one cordwood), and wish to incorporate into the build, but I'm left scratching my head a bit on the technical side of it. I am willing to scrap the use of resin as long as I can find a way to plonk in a lovely tiled floor, and resin floor :)

Also, whilst I'm here and still babbling, are there any UK members on here who went full steam ahead with planning applications? I really want to avoid having to pay a costly £11,500 for outline planning permission on a 6 acre site (which is the size we are aiming for, as I want lots of horses) When I can pay significantly less and just go for full planning permission. I'd love to hear your stories on how you have all achieved planning permission on your builds.

Thank you for any advice you can give

happy cobbing :)

haha waving back!

Yeah I was thinking of doing a good earthen floor (preferably in a dark shade) to prevent the floor looking too mucky and utilising kickboards  to at least cover 1/2 of the wall to protect the interior.

Am I right in thinking that for the infill system the timber frame has to be lifted first, then the straw is used to build up the walls? I know cob itself works better for rounded rooms rather than square, so I would imagine for a stable or barn; which is typically square, the walls would be stronger utilising the straw infill method.

Similar concept here too with owners having to buy and provide feed for their horses, I know I can get horses pretty cheap at market too to buy and hopefully bring on to be good all round horses.

I did wonder if I might have to look at a timber frame, plus I love the look of the timber/cob mixed homes. Thanks, I know what I need to starting learning and researching next

Hi, I'm based in Nottinghamshire and currently saving to be able to buy a plot of land next spring/summer in order to build a cob house. To get around planning permission, I'm hoping to use the land to train horses and sell on, as well as having my own vegetable plot. That way I can prove I am making a living off the land.

I'm hoping to be able to build a stable with an annexe first, then move onto the larger build at a later date. I really want to build the stables in a barn style, out of cob/and timber frame as it allows me to get used to the material and make any tweaks necessary before building the main house. Plus its cheaper and looks much nicer.

If anyone has any experience on cob outbuildings/stables/barns I would really love to hear from you as there is very little information on these types of builds which utilise cob as a material, I've only read/researched about cob houses.

look forward to hearing from you