New construction in the outskirts (former farmstead)

Hello everyone!

Our project to build a new house on my parents’ former farm is taking shape.

We want to demolish the former pigsty (16.5m * 6.5m footprint) and build a new house for me and my future wife.

After meeting several times with our architect and discussing and researching a lot, we are now ready and have an appointment at the building authority in our municipality in a few days. There, we will present our preliminary building application.

As an attachment, we have written a 4-page text explaining why we want to rebuild THIS pigsty in particular.

Has anyone ever completed such a project and can share experience or tips?

The local mayor is on our side, but ultimately he won’t have much say...

We also understand that we are not building a city villa! The house would/should fit the rest of the property!

Our architect’s proposal would be 7.99m * 12m footprint.

Has anyone ever carried out such a project and can share experience or tips with us?

Since such a project has to be rejected in 99.9% of cases, you will hardly find anyone who can help you. What is your justification for a non-privileged project in the outer area? Maybe then I can give you some tips.

Two years ago, we already sat down with the lady from the building authority. There she informed us that we were allowed to convert one of the three existing outbuildings into a residential house.

Our argument is based on the fact that a conversion is disproportionate. From a financial standpoint, a new build would be better.

If there is interest, I would probably upload the argumentation tonight!

Our argument is based on the fact that a conversion is disproportionate. From a financial perspective, a new building would be better.

That may be true in most cases, but your municipality also has to comply with the applicable laws. Have you discussed the application with a specialist lawyer in this field? They might have good advice that better justifies the necessity of an exception in your case, as they know how courts rule in such cases and what they base their decisions on.

No, we have not involved a lawyer. To be honest, I have no desire for the whole drama (mentally and also financially...). In case of emergency, the only option left for us really is the renovation...

Is converting a pigsty into a residential house really that unproblematic? Wouldn't that also be a change of use?