0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, behind closed doors, we British are building.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10We're building up, down and out to improve our homes.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It's really going to mean a lot to get the planning permission through
0:00:13 > 0:00:15so we can actually go forward.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18But before we build, we need permission.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Permission from the planners -
0:00:20 > 0:00:22a bunch of people dedicated to
0:00:22 > 0:00:24protecting our public spaces and neighbourhoods.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27I have got to say that I've got major concerns.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29So, if you've ever wanted a bigger kitchen,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33an extra bedroom or an en-suite bathroom, stand by.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36It's time to Plan It, Build It.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Up and down the land, people have ambitions to extend their homes
0:00:45 > 0:00:47or start their own businesses
0:00:47 > 0:00:51but taking the first steps towards fulfilling your dream is always daunting,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55especially if your dream requires planning permission.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Planners across the country receive tens of thousands
0:00:58 > 0:01:02of applications every month and nothing surprises them.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04They've seen every type of application
0:01:04 > 0:01:07imaginable from the deeply controversial to the
0:01:07 > 0:01:12downright bizarre and every case is judged on its individual merits.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14However unusual the application,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17planners must put aside all personal feelings.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20They have to stick to policy.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24We do have established policies that have been through public
0:01:24 > 0:01:28consultation and they are the framework for what we do.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32All we're doing is implementing the very well-structured
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and very well-practised policies that have evolved over a number of years.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Today is all about the more unusual applications that
0:01:41 > 0:01:43land on our planners' desks.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Can ordinary people with a vision, no matter how strange or
0:01:47 > 0:01:50contentious, get their plans approved?
0:01:51 > 0:01:55The planners will meet two people with a passion for pooches...
0:01:55 > 0:01:57I've always wanted to take my dog swimming,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00but there's not really anywhere around here that you can do that.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05It is a slightly unusual use, particularly in an industrial area.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10..and a couple who decided to build where no-one else would dare.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11This is my land, right?
0:02:11 > 0:02:15And if they don't pass it, I will be REALLY annoyed.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The constraints are just absolutely massive.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Two unusual situations and two sets of people making risky investments.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Will their gambles pay off? And could they end up quids-in?
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Planners have a huge range of powers.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36They decide on everything from home improvements to tree works,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40billboards, satellite dishes, shop signs and business usage.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42And when it comes to businesses,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45there's no end to the range of ideas we Brits come up with.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49We get really varied planning applications
0:02:49 > 0:02:52and that's part of the beauty of the job is that everything's varied,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56you don't know what you're going to get next and you get some really odd
0:02:56 > 0:03:00ideas and you think, "Why on earth do they want to do it like that?"
0:03:02 > 0:03:04This is Dorrington Road Trading Estate.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Not one of the most salubrious postcodes in the city of Lincoln,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11but nonetheless a vital part of the city's economic past,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13present and future.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16The estate is made up of light industrial units
0:03:16 > 0:03:18occupied by small businesses.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Renting one of these units will set you back roughly £5,000 a year
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and how you choose to use the unit must be cleared with
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Lincoln's planning department.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Dog lovers Millie and Matt Smith are presenting Lincoln Council
0:03:33 > 0:03:36with an extremely unusual business idea.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I've always wanted to take my dog swimming,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43but there's not really anywhere around here that you can do that.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46So we, sort of, saw a gap in the market and just went for it.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Yes,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Millie and Matt Smith want to turn one of the Dorrington Road business
0:03:51 > 0:03:55units into a dog swimming pool or, more specifically,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57a dog hydrotherapy centre.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02It's basically the treatment of different ailments
0:04:02 > 0:04:04and different illnesses that dogs may have,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07but instead of with medication, it's in water,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09so it's dogs swimming in water
0:04:09 > 0:04:14in different ways so that it can help, like, arthritis
0:04:14 > 0:04:15and things like that.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Our original idea was to have it in our back garden,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22but then we quickly decided that the size of pool we really needed,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25there wasn't enough space to put it in the back garden.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27So then we started looking at leasing properties.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31That's when I started to look into the planning consents and we found
0:04:31 > 0:04:35that canine hydrotherapy didn't sit into any of the planning classes.
0:04:35 > 0:04:41This is the proposals map which is part of our local plan which is
0:04:41 > 0:04:44kind of the blueprint for the city, if you like.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Kieran Manning is one of Lincoln's planners
0:04:47 > 0:04:51responsible for zoning areas to retain balance across the city.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55The different colours represent different allocations,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57so this colour, for example, is residential,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59we have open space in green
0:04:59 > 0:05:04and it's a starting point in terms of suggesting where
0:05:04 > 0:05:06developments of a certain kind would be most appropriate.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12It's Kieran who'll be considering Millie and Matt's application.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Today, the application we're looking at is on Farrier Road
0:05:15 > 0:05:18just off Sadler Road which is right down in the south of the city
0:05:18 > 0:05:20here close to our city boundary.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24What we'll be looking at today will be
0:05:24 > 0:05:27the type of operation that it will be, the scale of the operation,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29how many members of staff they have,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32how many dogs they'll have on the premises at any one time
0:05:32 > 0:05:35so it's a question of just having that
0:05:35 > 0:05:37assessment on an individual basis.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Even though it doesn't necessarily conform with the local plan,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43there are other material things that could suggest that it's acceptable.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49To make their doggy swim centre a reality,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Matt and Millie are desperate for the necessary planning permission.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55They do have some financial support from friends and family but
0:05:55 > 0:05:59have put in a huge amount of time and effort to realise their dream.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02It's an eight-week planning application
0:06:02 > 0:06:05we have gone through on one occasion already where we found a unit
0:06:05 > 0:06:08we wanted, put in the planning but then three weeks down the line,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11someone else has put in an offer for the same unit
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and they're able to move in straight away so we've lost that building.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17We're hopeful that it's going to get through.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20We've not heard any comments back or objections to it
0:06:20 > 0:06:24so we're fingers crossed everything will be OK.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29The cost of starting their business isn't cheap.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33The refurbishment will set them back 30 grand and the pool itself
0:06:33 > 0:06:38is 13,000 but they hope to start making a profit within six months.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41There's a lot riding on the decision.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45It would just, sort of, break our hearts and, you know,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49our families supported us so it'd hurt them quite a lot as well.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50They've got a lot in this as well.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54I think if we get a no, then we'll tackle it when we get to that
0:06:54 > 0:06:58point and there's appeals processes that we can go through.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01At the end of the day, I was sitting at home doing nothing,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05kind of going, "What can I do with my life?"
0:07:05 > 0:07:09I find it hard to be around people sometimes so it was...
0:07:09 > 0:07:15I need something to hold on to and I need to do this for myself.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Matt and Millie's dream for their dog business rests on what Kieran
0:07:19 > 0:07:21sees when he inspects the site.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23If he thinks the business isn't right for the area,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26permission could be refused.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Planners are duty bound to protect people
0:07:32 > 0:07:36and wildlife from over-development but very occasionally, planners
0:07:36 > 0:07:41get applications from people who want to build on wild, untamed land.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44We got an application here, this is to build a new dwelling
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and, as you can probably guess from the surroundings,
0:07:47 > 0:07:52we're in the rural part of Coventry which is all designated green belt.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Coventry is Britain's 12th largest city
0:07:54 > 0:07:57and it has a proud industrial history.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59It was the centre of the cloth trade,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01then it pioneered clock and watch production.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Most early bicycles were made here
0:08:03 > 0:08:07and car manufacture is a major part of the city's history.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12But despite Coventry's industrial heritage,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15it's actually surrounded by beautiful countryside
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and this countryside, much of it referred to as Ancient Arden
0:08:18 > 0:08:22landscape, is designated green belt.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Planner Richard Sykes is dealing with a very unusual application.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29It's for a new house, built from scratch on very overgrown,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Ancient Arden green belt.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33This sort of case is actually very rare.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37I mean we don't normally tend to get applications in for building
0:08:37 > 0:08:42new houses in rural areas of the city like this
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and this is particularly, I think, a one-off
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and the only justification being that there was previously
0:08:47 > 0:08:51a house on there which has since disappeared and fallen down.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Getting the green light to build on green belt is extremely rare
0:08:56 > 0:08:58and often controversial.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Planners are duty bound to protect these areas, especially
0:09:02 > 0:09:04when there's a lot of history bound up in the countryside
0:09:04 > 0:09:07and its ancient buildings.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08There's a lot of care
0:09:08 > 0:09:11and attention being given to the particular design of it.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14With the roof pitches which are 40, 45-degree roof pitches,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16some of the detail around the fenestration
0:09:16 > 0:09:18and the style of the dwelling,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21that's very much in keeping with the Ancient Arden landscape
0:09:21 > 0:09:25which is effectively your traditional Warwickshire houses.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32Celine Cassidy and Ian Brown paid £190,000 for a derelict house
0:09:32 > 0:09:35standing on eight acres back in 2001.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38They have applied for and got planning permission to build on
0:09:38 > 0:09:43the site on two separate occasions, but the applications have lapsed.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46This time, they're determined to push ahead with their dream.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51We sat on it for five years before we did anything with it
0:09:51 > 0:09:54because it was more of an investment than anything.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59So then went into planning with it, started on it, put it back on hold.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Got planning again, the second time.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Really sort of didn't have the time to follow it through.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09But now, we feel it's time, you know, that we need to
0:10:09 > 0:10:12pull our fingers out and do something about it, basically.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16That's as it came in because the house was standing there.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19We're standing just about here. So we're looking down the drive now.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22The basic build itself, to build the house
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and put the roof on it is not really that dear,
0:10:25 > 0:10:29but we reckon we could probably build for about 300,000.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33With a build of this size, the costs can be enormous.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36But the couple have some innovative ideas to save themselves
0:10:36 > 0:10:37money in the long term.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Got a guy that I've used before
0:10:41 > 0:10:44up in Staffordshire
0:10:44 > 0:10:47and this guy,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Peter, he'll come out
0:10:49 > 0:10:52and do a deep bore of about 280ft
0:10:52 > 0:10:56and he will bore us a water main in with a pumping system.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00The initial cost of the water's £6,000, done and dusted,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03so basically you're going to pay that initially,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05but pay for nothing in the future.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08And also, do a water conservation sort of project where we keep
0:11:08 > 0:11:12all our waste water and then recycle it as such,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15or use it to go back into the land.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19So yeah, totally environmentally friendly, really.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Yeah, and that's what we want, isn't it?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Yeah.- Yeah, in this day and age. That's what's needed.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29For the Browns, building on this land is far from simple,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33especially if there's potential for upsetting the local wildlife.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35The great crested newt is protected
0:11:35 > 0:11:37and if there is one that lives in the pond,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39or his family or whatever,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42they want you to protect the build from him getting
0:11:42 > 0:11:46into the footings or the concrete, or getting crushed by big machines.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49So they will ask you to cut plywood boards, sink them into the
0:11:49 > 0:11:51ground, surround the build,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55so little newt can't get into the build.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Newts aside, Ian and Celine are banking on this third application.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Not just because they want to build their perfect home,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06but also because it's financially critical.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Everything's riding on this planning application now, the renewal,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12because if you imagine that this land with
0:12:12 > 0:12:14a house on it could be worth £1 million,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17without the planning permission would be worth £80,000.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19This application,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22it's not just simply a case of renewing the previous permission.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24There may be things that have changed
0:12:24 > 0:12:27since we last looked at the application in 2010.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29In this case, the design is the same,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32but nature doesn't stand still.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34So the whole ecological situation may have changed.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38We know what we want.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41It's just fingers crossed with planning, basically.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's like being in hospital, waiting for an operation,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47on what, you don't you know what's wrong with you,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50until the consultant comes round eventually
0:12:50 > 0:12:53because you're at death's door and tells you.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Celine and Ian's hopes of finally building on their green-belt land
0:12:58 > 0:13:01will rest with Richard.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04If he thinks their new plans are out of place or will harm local
0:13:04 > 0:13:07wildlife, he will refuse their application.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Back in Lincoln, Keiran and junior planner Craig Everton have
0:13:13 > 0:13:16arrived to conduct the Smiths' crucial site inspection.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19The report they write will determine whether Matt and Millie
0:13:19 > 0:13:21get the planning permission
0:13:21 > 0:13:25they vitally need to open their dog hydrotherapy centre.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- So, this is the unit then? - This is the unit, yes.- OK.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33We just need to have a bit of a look round,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35look at the adjoining units, have a
0:13:35 > 0:13:39bit of a recce of the parking situation, access, that sort of
0:13:39 > 0:13:43thing and then we'll probably have a quick chat with you, if that's OK.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44Is that OK?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Keiran and Craig must be certain that the business won't have a
0:13:48 > 0:13:51detrimental impact on neighbouring businesses.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55And this includes the Smiths' plans for customer parking.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00- Parking looks to be a bit of an issue.- Yeah.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02It looks pretty well parked.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Not much additional capacity there.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09There is obviously some space at the front of the unit,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11the front of the unit itself.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14We've got the location of the air source heat pump here then.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Obviously,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19it's not in a prominent location on the side of the building there.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23I think in itself, the visual impact of that is negligible.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- I think it's probably time we spoke with the applicants.- Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29OK.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32We've just had a quick look at the surrounding area,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35assessed the physical impact of the development,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39in terms of the air source heat pump, which we're comfortable with.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- It's really the issues relating to the use itself now.- OK.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- So we've just got a couple of questions for you.- No problem.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Obviously, the details submitted with the application are it's
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- hydrotherapy for dogs.- Yes.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54In essence, we need to know a little bit more, in terms
0:14:54 > 0:14:57of how the business is proposed to operate.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01It's things like, er, how many customers you're going to have in
0:15:01 > 0:15:06in a typical day. I know it's difficult to give an exact figure on that.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Well, we know the maximum is 14.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Because the way it works is, they'll be half-hour sessions
0:15:11 > 0:15:14and it's the same programme every single day.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16So half-hour sessions with a ten-minute gap in-between
0:15:16 > 0:15:19and a break for lunch and an evening break, as well.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21So that's split up throughout the whole day.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25So there'll be a maximum of 14 people in any one day.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Is this venture new to you,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29or is it something you've done before, elsewhere?
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- Or is this a start-up, in effect? - This is a start-up.- A start-up.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36OK. OK. Obviously, I've gone through the issues that we have.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40We need to go away, mull that over a little bit, consider that,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44and you should get a decision probably within the next week or so.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- Realistically. All right? Nice to meet you.- Thank you.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Cheers.- Thank you.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The air source heat pump's the only physical alteration to the building.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54It's concealed down the side of the unit.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56It doesn't really have much of a visual impact.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Obviously, we're concerned about the impact, potentially,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02of customers on provision of parking.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Um... It is quite tight.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Um, that's something we'll to need to go away and carefully consider.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I thought they might have an issue with the external unit.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I thought that was the biggest change to the unit,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17but they seem quite happy with that.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20And the issues they had with parking,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24which I didn't think we were going to have,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27I'm a bit more nervous about the decision than I was
0:16:27 > 0:16:30before we came here, now, to be honest.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32The issues I thought they'd have an issue, they didn't,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and vice versa.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41In Coventry, planner Richard Sykes is knee-deep in countryside.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44He's dealing with an unusual application from a couple
0:16:44 > 0:16:46with a vision to build a house from scratch.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Remember, the Browns are hoping to build on green-belt land,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52something almost unheard of.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54They bought the land for £190,000
0:16:54 > 0:16:57and hope that a previous development on the site
0:16:57 > 0:16:59means they'll get the green light.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Have you ever been on-site before? - I haven't, no.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05So this will be good for you to show me around
0:17:05 > 0:17:08and let me have a look at what the main features are.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10We've brought you some print-offs.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Obviously, over ten years, nobody knows what was here.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18But the application we're looking at today is just the straight
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- renewal of the one that we've had in before.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- And then we're going to go back in and amend it.- We'd like to amend it.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- Something smaller. - OK, yeah.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32The Browns have been through two applications before,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34and the pressure and difficulties of building on the land
0:17:34 > 0:17:38might JUST have pushed Celine too far.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41What really gets my goat is the fact that this is my land, right?
0:17:41 > 0:17:45People walk through here, they burnt the house down, yeah?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47That was on there previously, yeah?
0:17:47 > 0:17:52I've got drunks...camping on there.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I've got children drinking.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56I've got the police phoning me.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Yeah? So, I'm trying to change all this,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03put a nice house on it, that can't be seen from anywhere.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07I've got Planning that is saying, "Oh, no, you can't have this,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09"you can't have that." This, that and the other.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12So, you know, what does Planning want me to do?
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Would they like me to leave it like this?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16I could take the gates away, yeah?
0:18:16 > 0:18:21Which... I had a set of gates there - they got stolen. Yeah?
0:18:21 > 0:18:26And let the Gypsies come on, and I can make...a tenner a caravan.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Do you know what I mean?
0:18:28 > 0:18:31So, I'm really, really annoyed by Planning.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36And if they don't pass it, and if they don't pass my amendment,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39I will be REALLY annoyed.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Developments in the green belt...
0:18:41 > 0:18:45We very rarely get applications for new developments in the green belt.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49It's one of the areas in Coventry and around the country
0:18:49 > 0:18:52where the constraints are just absolutely massive.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53Ouch!
0:18:53 > 0:18:55This could be a hammer blow
0:18:55 > 0:18:58for the Browns' hopes of getting planning approval.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- Do you want to have a walk around? - Yes, if we can have a look, that would be great.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- And thanks for coming out and showing me around.- Yeah, no problem.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08So, did you say there were any parts of the original footings
0:19:08 > 0:19:09that you can see now?
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Yes, this was a part of the back wall.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- This would be roughly about the corner, here, I would've said.- Yeah.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- Of the original house. - Of the original house.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20And that's about in the middle of the house there.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24One of our many roles is to be protective of the green belt.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Oh, of course!- It's such a massive asset to Coventry.- Yes, yes.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29You wouldn't want to spoil it.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33The trees that were protected,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- I mean, some of them are relatively close to the house.- Of course.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40And if they've grown roots, etc, that might have a slight bearing.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43That's right. We might have to move the house backwards, or whatever.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Yes. Or make sure that you put a... - Protect them.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- ..the right tree protection plan in. - That's not a problem.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51No, that's OK. That's fine.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54But it's not just trees.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57The council's ecologist must also report on the wildlife
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and, of course, the great crested newts.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02So, what time period are we thinking
0:20:02 > 0:20:05before we'll hear from yourself or...
0:20:06 > 0:20:10I'm hopeful it's probably going to be within the next couple of weeks.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12I've just got make sure that we've got everything ironed out
0:20:12 > 0:20:17with the ecologist and they're aware of all the reports that have come in, have had time to digest them.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19So the middle of the month, basically.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Yes, I think that's the date we're looking at.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26The public notification period should have expired by then as well.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31Yes, it will have. Yeah. OK. Well, that's fine. Thanks very much.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- OK, nice meeting you and thanks for your time, as well.- And you.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37I think you can get much, much more out of people
0:20:37 > 0:20:40if you try and build up some rapport
0:20:40 > 0:20:43and just try and stay cool and calm with them.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44Let them have their say.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Because there's certainly things
0:20:46 > 0:20:49with taking on a project of this scale that are not going
0:20:49 > 0:20:51to be straightforward, and will be a bit frustrating.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53We expect that from people.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56And we just have to deal with that and try and keep everything on
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- the level.- It's nice to find someone who's interested along with you.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And that can actually see what you've got in mind.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Obviously, after passing some photos across, then it gives somebody
0:21:09 > 0:21:12a much better idea of what we've got in mind, doesn't it, really?
0:21:12 > 0:21:13Exactly, yes.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16They've taken on a massive project here,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18but they obviously come across as people
0:21:18 > 0:21:19who care about the environment,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23and want to get it right. And it'll take a huge part of their life.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27It's really refreshing to see their enthusiasm coming over, as well.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32Yes, I shan't stick the pins in the doll any more! Yes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36A very congenial gentleman and hope to work with him again.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39I have no problem with Planning.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42But obviously everybody has to work with the rules
0:21:42 > 0:21:44and regulations, don't they? And that's it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48It will now be a nerve-racking wait to find out if Celine
0:21:48 > 0:21:51and Ian can build their out-of-the-ordinary home
0:21:51 > 0:21:53in its extraordinary location.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Over in Lincoln, the Smiths have had to wait three weeks
0:21:59 > 0:22:03for the public consultation period to pass on their doggy hydrotherapy application.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And the wait is finally over.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Today is the day that Matt goes to pick up the decision.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18So, yeah, he's just gone off to the County Hall now to pick it up
0:22:18 > 0:22:21and then he'll come back and we can open it together. Erm...
0:22:21 > 0:22:24A bit apprehensive. Excited, obviously.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28We just want it to be a positive result.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- Hi.- Hi, I'm Matt Smith from AquaMutts to pick up a planning application.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Planning application, oh, decision? - Yes, that's it.- Oh, OK, right.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Do you want to come to the window?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42The all-important decision is in the envelope.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44And although Matt is desperate to open it,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47he'll wait till he's home with Millie.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- All right, thank you.- Bye.- Bye.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- I'm home!- Open it, open it, open it!
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- Come on, it's your business - you open it.- What?- Go on.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Oh, my God. We got it!
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Give the dog a bone, it's a "Yes!" for the Smiths!
0:23:13 > 0:23:16The planners decided that their doggie swim centre
0:23:16 > 0:23:19wouldn't have an adverse impact on neighbouring businesses.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Before it was like, IF the planning comes through, and IF this happens.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Whereas now, it's WHEN.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28So, it's definitely a reality.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29So excited!
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Fast forward four months and Matt
0:23:31 > 0:23:34and Millie finally have the keys to their unit.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37They roped in Matt's dad to help with the construction, and will
0:23:37 > 0:23:41soon be able to welcome their first four-legged client.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44We unpack all the bits first, stick them in the corner,
0:23:44 > 0:23:48and then we'll build the framework up and once we've got the framework,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51we can position that where we want it in the room
0:23:51 > 0:23:53and then we can put the liner in and the underlay.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55I've got some confidence in Matthew
0:23:55 > 0:23:57cos he was very good with Lego as a child,
0:23:57 > 0:24:01so I'm sure he'll figure out how all the bits go together.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02Yeah, it'll be fine.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06The pool measures 5m by 3m.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09- So, next bit.- Framework.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Let's put the framework together.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16It'll be big enough for Millie to swim with her canine customers,
0:24:16 > 0:24:17helping dogs recover from injuries
0:24:17 > 0:24:22and encouraging water-shy pooches to paddle in a safe environment.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Over in Coventry, Richard is about to issue his decision.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37So, since the site visits, what I've done is come back to the
0:24:37 > 0:24:42office and obviously checked a lot of the history of the application.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Now, we don't get a huge amount of applications
0:24:45 > 0:24:47in the green belt that are actually successful
0:24:47 > 0:24:49because the green belt is an area
0:24:49 > 0:24:53where are quite considerable constraints on new development.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58It's just a case of waiting at the minute, which is very nerve racking,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02because we can't move on until, obviously,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04we get the go-ahead from Planning.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07In most cases, it would be inappropriate to have a
0:25:07 > 0:25:11new house in the green belt, unless there were very special circumstances.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15It means so much to us, obviously, this was my dream home.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20So, if we didn't get it, well, me more so than Ian,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24cos this is my dream project with him,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26I would be totally gutted.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Celine and Ian are about to find out if they will get permission
0:25:30 > 0:25:33to build their million-pound home on green-belt land.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35'Good afternoon, Planning. Richard Sykes.'
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- Oh, hi there, Richard. It's Celine Cassidy.- 'Oh, hello.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42'I guess you're phoning up about your application.'
0:25:42 > 0:25:47That's right, Richard. Entirely right. Have you heard anything?
0:25:47 > 0:25:51'Yeah, now what's happened, we've got all of the consultation responses back
0:25:51 > 0:25:55'from the ecologist, and everyone else that we needed,
0:25:55 > 0:26:00- 'so permission is going to be granted.'- It's a yes!
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Oh, that's absolutely brilliant!
0:26:03 > 0:26:06The ecologist didn't consider the newts an issue
0:26:06 > 0:26:09and Richard decided that the precedent of the previous building
0:26:09 > 0:26:12was sufficient to allow this piece of green-belt development.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- OK, thank you, Richard, very much. - 'OK. Take care.'
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Thank you, bye. Bye.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Yippee! That's fantastic! Oh, brilliant news.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Worth all that emotion and time waiting,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and...despair, basically.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33And... That's great.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Stand by for a soaking.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40In Lincoln, the construction of Matt and Millie's dog pool is finished.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44They can finally begin to realise their dream.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47It was more than a year ago that we thought of this.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53And to stand here now, looking at it all is just really overwhelming.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56And when you've got other dogs in here that aren't yours,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59that aren't used to swimming, it's just like...
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Whoa! I'm really here, I'm really doing this, sort of thing.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08And it's just... Just amazing, really.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14There's a good boy. Silly boy.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19We're not in this to make huge amounts of money.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23It's basically so that Millie has got a job that she loves.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27She can spend all the time she likes with Bruno.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Most businesses or jobs have, you can't take your dog to work,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33whereas here, she can.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's always been my passion to work with dogs. It does feel amazing.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41He's a water dog and I'm a water baby, so we both love it here.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Don't want to get out at the end of the 30 minutes!
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Thanks for that. Just where I was working!
0:27:49 > 0:27:50MILLIE LAUGHS
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Matt and Millie have planned it, built it.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57They have successfully negotiated planning to achieve their dream
0:27:57 > 0:28:00and hope to make a profit of 40 grand per year.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04The Browns hope to start work later in the year.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08They estimate their home will be worth over a million pounds,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11a shrewd return on land they bought for just 190,000.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Fantastic!
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd