Colin Furze Tunnel IS NOT LEGIT (just yet...)

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Why I love Colin Furze YouTube Channel
1:03 - Problems Colin Furze approach to approving his tunnel
2:00 - Why retrospective planning approval is a bad idea
5:06 - Why Colin Furze tunnel needs a building warrant
6:09 - Why retrospective building control approval isn't easy
8:17 - Options for Colin Furze tunnel
9:21 - What will happen if Colin Furze tunnel doesn't get building control approval

#colinfurze
#buildingregulations
#tunneling
#bunker
#archiecture
#construction
#building
#houseextension
#criticism
#review

[DazO]

If Colin had applied first he would have been refused, having started he was able to show the planning officer exactly what he was doing.

[ErikBas]

Not sure if this has been stated before, but it makes perfect sense for Colin to do it retrospectively, since in his very unique case, his goal is the content, after its built, even is he has to remove the tunnel, he'll already have the content, videos and revenue.

[mrnghtfox]

The thing I learned from this video is that building something requires a boatload of bureaucracy.

[IOMFishing]

Blah blah blah...interpreted as "I just want to feed off someone else's popularity and hopefully get to the point I can show ads"

[jgordon]

This is why he was very secretive about dirt removal.

[disabledarmyvetcrable]

I feel this video should not have been made and should be a discussion between you and Colin if you disagree with what he is doing. Watching your video just seems like you are hating on his creativity of this project and for some reason don't want him to build it. Just because we have opinions doesn't mean we should always voice them.

[kevdefender]

There’s always someone who wants to piss on your fire

[DonegalOverlanding]

Hi, my name is Neil, I'm a real life architect. Today I am presenting a video that is solely designed to try and get some attention to my channel by naming Colin Furze in a bid to attract more attention. I will use a clickbait title and if you are reading this comment, it worked on you too!

[larryjones]

I admire his ingenuity. He's doing a pretty good job. You need to complain about people burying shipping containers. They are not meant to be Underground.

[MS-yydh]

In my experience, what the planners decide is somewhat of a lottery. My neighbour broke planning and put in a retrospective application which was refused on what appeared to be very clear grounds. However, on appeal it was granted with no alterations required. It seemed that the two officials involved making these decisions had completely different opinions and once the second had granted there was nothing anyone could do - apparently.

[chaseoes]

One thing to note is that the bunker was permitted retroactively as well.

[chrishunt]

I'm guessing Colin has already used a structural engineer, they probably just want to remain anonymous.

[byugrad]

I started building a giant 1000sqft covered patio last year without submitting plans and rolled the dice myself. Almost finished now. Because of the pandemic and the building craze, trusses were years out. I just couldn't wait with the 100 degree weather on the back side of the house and the skyrocketing price of lumber in the states, so I decided to make my own last fall. I first had to make my own 50-ton hydraulic press to press the gusset plates. That was a huge job all by itself. Things were going great erecting the roof until I got a nasty legal letter in the mail. They were worried about my trusses not being designed by a certified structural engineer, but I told them I am an electrical engineer and this stuff is child's play. I showed them all the calculations and models I made that proved they were stronger than anything else the rest of the house was built with. Out of 2x8's and 2x6's on 16 inch centers. Huge beams and very strong beam connections and 6x6 posts. Each truss had a 1000lb uplift strap for wind.

Yes, it's a gamble, and some old fart could have given me a ton of trouble. But I have so much dirt on the city building and planning department for what they passed off as good on our new home that I sailed right through when I showed them the differences in my design and build quality from the rest of the house. I was ready to go to battle with them in the courts and I'm sure I would have won and they knew it. Only thing I'm kicking myself now about is I should have documented it all and become a youtube sensation like the rest of these guys. It really turned out well. D'oh.

[vodaredhill]

What do architects know about designing buildings. Stage doors down always too narrow to get a van down, old people's homes with steps everywhere. Nobody should be allowed to call themselves a architect until they have spent three months as a fireman, three months as a delivery driver and three months in a wheelchair.

[SnwZer]

Next we'll find out that building a jet-powered bike and speeding down an airstrip is a bad idea too :)

It really is amazing that Colin doesn't have disclaimers before his videos, but I would hope by this point that viewers know not to attempt anything he does.

[thisisretropete]

I don’t think he’s concerned he’s already said he’s never selling the house and even if he did it probably would be to a friend or family that would pay cash. Plus he gets about £30k a month! He’s planning another entrance and exit for safety. I reckon he’s building a car lift down into the tunnel!

[andyr]

From what I’ve seen Colin has had a professional Structural Engineer doing all of the calculations on the tunnel as he has been doing it so shouldn’t be an issue getting the structural elements signed off 🤷🏻‍♂️

[DSMITH-czxi]

I think you are helping a lot of ppl(especially me)understand how technical a build is and proper care will save the average person(definitely me)likely a lot of money and time!You didn't mention if you need certain certified ppl or yourself for things like electric etc, when doing all that work! Appreciate the heads up!

[StevenTheGeek]

I know this video is a bit old, but you mentioned selling to someone but he already said the house can no longer be sold. Instead it can only be sold as bunker with a building attached. So it’s not likely to be mortgageable anyway.

[DicksonTimScotland]

i think you missed a comment he made in one of his videos that he had consulted a structural engineer when doing the tunnel and "car port". Regarding insulation underground, it may affect condensation, but in his construction there is no air on the other side of the "wall" so the U value is not applicable. (it can be calculated by the thickness of the wall, which for underground means the thickness of the earth.)
Unfortunately both planning permission, and to a certain extent building control is somewhat subjective.
The spirit of the planning permission is that it applies to what is visible from above ground, (with the exception of waste water), so if that is not changed by underground works, it is generally not applicable, unless you are beside a property boundary.
Building warrant is completely different, and is concerned with structural soundness and regulations, although interpretation of those rules/regulations can vary, as there are many conflicting regulations.
I have had planning officers and building inspectors change what they require multiple times during a build, despite the fact they have already seen the full plans months or years in advance. I've also had planners require changes that would lnever pass structural tests. It is also not uncommon for building inspectors to ask for structural architect drawings warrented the architect, (so they are covered under the architect's insurance) rather than checking any structural load calculations themselves, as they are supposed to do).
It is very much a lottery, arcitects have a useful function (my grandfather was one), and hopefully can help prevent common mistakes, but just like most other trades, there is always a place for the DIY'ers.