Blimy, you are very brave, I’m impressed! Did you have any experiance of this sort of thing before?
regards T
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None… except that I did spec out our office and extensions for our technology business in the UK and the barn conversion we did when we moved to new premises when the business expanded. Again, all these projects were entirely managed by me.
The challenge in France of course was tackling the language and planning requirements - in unfamiliar territory here… but we learnt a lot on the way and absolutely no regrets. I’d do it again.
Sounds like you found your project manager Toovey27. 
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regrettably, 2½ hours travel (each way) is beyond my capability these days 
But I’m happy to help if (where) I can.
Such a shame, but we’re very grateful for your help & advice!
regards T
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Of course it’s worth pricing before talking visiting the Maire, it may be out of price range so not worth troubling anyone.
I did not mean to be depressing… it’s just that the Mairie might have strong feelings about this/that which might well change the requirements for a Devis… prices/whatever.
I’d hate to think I could afford something, only for the Maire to tell me I couldn’t go ahead… aaaargh.
Well, hopefully I’ve inspired you with some ideas on which to further your aspirations.
Following the suggestion made by @Stella first sketch out your ideas on a sheet of A4, make an appointment with your mairie and go discuss it with them before committing further. It’s in their interest too to be pro-active and they will already have the plans of your land and what might be permitted to hand on which to advise and none of that will cost you any money 
Best of luck with your project.
Keep us updated with progress. SF’ers do seem to have an interest in such matters.
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Will do! Thanks yet again.
T
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Yes, our planning authority do not like that sort of external cladding thankfully. We are in a natural park and round here seem to allow stone, timber or crepi only.
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whilst there were no restrictions placed on our build of that nature by planning, we particularly chose the colour way of the cedral boards to blend in with the only two stone properties in the immediate viewable vicinity and it works well… no-one has raised any complaint (indeed, from a distance, the colour is almost indistinguishable from stone.
Discussing your plans for the external finish will often prompt a positive response from planners. Don’t be discouraged by nay-sayers if your choice is to go along this route
Planners will respect reasoned explanations of what you propose - for example, here in the Charente, no log cabins and aligned roof lines are seemingly in focus but I have seen instances where that policy has been amended sensibly. Don’t ask, don’t get…
As for timber being allowed, cedral actually have a board (the one we have) which looks like its timber so that would more than likely be approved.
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And if the Maire disagrees just wait until they vote in a new one.
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2026….
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… its no longer in the gift of the Maire as mostly now it is centralised to the Prefecture. The Maire would be expected to comment or advise but as to whether their view would be overriding…
If the Maire was unsupportive without good apparent reason, I’d be tempted to get the plan in anyway in the format I was seeking (perhaps with help from a professional such as a md’œ) and see what happens.
Professionals tend to have good regard for each other when it comes to Planning affairs.
Even for sub 25m2 or is it 20m2 can never remember?
40m2 now for an extension, unless not covered by a PLU. But has to be in accordance with local requirments.
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Thanks Jane.
Advice to the world in general…
There is much talk on forums etc about being able to build more or less what one wants, provided it is under such and such a size.
In fact… there is always a need to discuss with the Mairie before building anything bigger than a small dog kennel (and perhaps even then, depending on the site )
Many folk have come unstuck later down the line, when they’ve made unauthorised additions etc…
It simply isn’t worth it just for the sake of a visit/chat and possibly a form to complete…
Incidentally, don’t forget to advise Insurance folk of any extensions/additions…
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Ha ha… actually it is more likely to be the Secretaire who is au fait with what will and won’t be acceptable…
Maires are elected for 6 years … our Secretaire has 25 years’ experience and is highly trained… she especially loves finding a way-around things so that folk can achieve their dreams whenever possible. 
We have a young Secretaire mid 30’s and she has been fantastic helping us out. The older previous one was approachable but that was about it.
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