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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is why he was very secretive about dirt removal.

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

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

I used to thatch roofs, I heard about someone using the wrong Reed on their roof and the council had them strip the roof and use another type of Reed.

Have a question in Australia we can not dig next to or under a house footing with out Underpinning first the house could move and crack my concern is at the front of this house.

Just a question, when you say it will need insulation, why? Is it because of temp regulation? I thought as its underground the temperature is fairly well regulated. Or have I missed something?

I live in america and retrospective is the much preferred method for many of the same reasons. Overall it makes the project much easier, it ends up much closer to the original design intent, and is much cheaper in cost.

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

Man, your getting it tight for this one. Having enjoyed watching the tunnel series, I did wonder about building control and the other questions you raised. Having 30 year in construction as an electrician I have seen a lot of strange buildings, although not rocket science to build, Colin has made an excellent achievement by himself and his mate. Just got to wonder about the legalities of it all, especially if selling up. The solicitors would have a field day with it. Nice to see what a professional persons point of view is. Cheers

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!

Here in Germany, getting permission in retrospective for this tunnel would be unthinkable...

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!

I’m curious how he’s gonna fit a sprinkler system for under ground garage as if his car catches fire the tunnel would act like a blow torch so I would have thought sprinkler systems would need fitting ?😶

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.

How would they demolish a tunnel? Or would they concrete it in? Interesting to know how they tackle the task!

I agree Neil, it’ll be hard for Colin to get a final certificate from building control, also he’ll only be able to use the local authority due to works having already started. As you mentioned there is plenty of evidence that can be provided but it’s whether a structural engineer would be satisfied to put their name against it. I agree his best option is to class it as a non-habitable space.

This guy must be fun at parties jeez

These aren't residental rooms so building control and planning approval is not an issue most of the time. Outbuildings and non habitual rooms have less legal paperwork. But you're right, this impacts the foundations of the house, so it will need some engineering sign off.

its better to ask for forgivness than permission.

I did worry about retro spective permission

Who cares about the legalities, the most important thing here is that this guy is a living legend. Colin has given youtube viewers endless amounts of entertainment, fun and excitement while displaying his varied and clever skillset. I'm sure his antics have been replicated by many men in their sheds before, during and after covid. His never been done before capers im sure will continue across the globe for many years to come so a massive congratulations on his achievements. Hats off to that man. Keep up the good work Col 😀👍👍👍nice 1.

Does not having build control signoff effect his house mortgage and building insurance? Does colin need to inform his insurance and mortgage provider of the alterations he has made? If colin came to sell his property would his alterations make it difficult for a mortgage lender to provide a product to a prospective buyer? Would there need to be imdeminity insurance taken out?

Its good to know the hidden boring information which isnt included in Colin's videos. It does explain theres more to building a tunnel and bunker than Just building a tunnel and Bunker. Thankyou for this informative video

I did not watch this to take a class on UK construction law. I watched it to see how his bunker and tunnel worked out from an architects point of view.

So, outta the goodness of his heart, he snoops around looking for building permits ! This is why you can't own anything, because the government has placed laws that represent Big Gov. As for me I don't care what my neighbors do. As far as the resale value, there are people out there including me that would love to have a underground bunker just like Colins.

He has already discussed selling his house. He stated that he can no longer sell his house traditionally, he has to sell the bunker that comes with a free house. so doubtful people could get a mortgage anyways. And hes always stated that the bunker/ tunnels will be used as storage for his gadgets (creating a bit of a "ultimate man-room")

I'm a Scottish guy living in York and the planners here would have a field day with this. Let alone building control

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.

"Colin Rolled a dice here..." No I think there was probably a big brown envelope exchanged at some point (loading the dice). My issue was always about the cost of these tunnelling projects. Also water loves a lower level void.

There is a wonderful world that is only comprehensible and enjoyable beyond giving too much respect to the vast majorty of bureaucracy in the world today. I know you know it too.

He didn't get permission first because it was a secret project at first.

It is in the ground. Year round temperature controlled insulation.

I was a Building Official in the Building Department of a City in Northern Indiana. In Indiana the State of Indiana adopts a "Building Code." It's up to a Local jurisdiction to create an agency, a Building Department which then enforces the Building Codes adopted by the State. For those of you not familiar with U.S. government. The Constitution of The United States describes the powers reserved to the Federal Government. The Constitution also says that those powers not specifically enumerated belong to the individual States. The various States have their own ways of regulating what gets built, where it gets built and how it gets built. In the jurisdiction where I worked had a Planing and Zoning Department which regulated where and what. The jurisdiction also had a Building Department. The Building Department was/is responsible to regulate the how of building. Does a specific building element comply with the Indiana Building Codes? In the case of Colin's bunker/bomb shelter. Both Planning & Zoning and Building would want to determine if it's a habitable space. As mentioned, stairs would be required in a habitable space. Two means of egress (exiting) would also be required. In the case of the tunnels, those are not likely to be habitable spaces and not require means of egress. It's very likely Planning & Zoning approval and a Building Permit would be required. The penalities do allow for a demolition to be ordered. However, there would be other ways to achieve compliance such as a letter and as built plans from a licensed structural engineer.

Good video!! Thanks for the facts!!

Here is a question I have always wondered when building an underground bunker / shelter what ever you want to call it. You build them for a reason to survive any "end of world" scenario. The UK government has a nac for putting barriers in place of everything. I heard the councils will submit any plans to neighbours to confirm they have no issues with the builds going ahead. This makes sense in light of a new 2 story extension going up for blocking light etc. However if the build is not going near your neighbours does the council / authority body still submit these plans to your neighbours? This kind of negates the "secret bunker" part and should anything happen you would have half the street knocking at your door and your safety plan for your family becomes pointless. Do these kind of builds / plans get submitted to neighbours to raise any issues? Very informative does make you sigh though at how many hoops have to be jumped through. Thanks

Don’t trust that your local council / building control know their facts. I extended my house some years ago and prior to the work all storm water fed into a pipe running the length of the street and into a brook at the bottom. We did everything to the rules, obtained permission etc, but they said we could no longer use this drain and had to dig our own soakaway. Great stuff, easy done despite living on clay. Then it rained, the back garden was just a swamp and stayed like this, it only ever really dried out around half a dozen times in 8 years. We couldn’t sign the work off for years until after the building control inspector retired. His replacement came to take a look and just laughed. Told me to re-route to the foul system and then all would be well, the first should never have instructed us to dig a soakaway in clay. Don’t believe they know what they’re talking about.

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

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.

Thanks for the video 📹 it really explains why doing something without permission is not the best route to take and the explanation of why the permissions given is always the best way to go. I rent a property in a HMO but I am still making sure before I actually place a shed for storage but I'm making sure of the location so that I am not blocking any safety access in case of any emergency so thank you for the help 👍 🍻

As long as its safe structurally. What others dont know wont hurt them.

While i get what you’re saying on this, the trouble with building a tunnel is it isn’t something that everbody does to their house. Extensions, loft conversions, garages etc, are all pretty similar and are easy enough to plan and show what materials you intend to use and how you intend to build it. With a tunnel and bunker in your garden, it’s not an easy thing to plan and show what’s used to build it without actually building it. So while building the tunnel without permission may be frowned upon, surely getting approval on something that already exists and can be shown to be safe and of sound construction is a lot easier than trying to explain what you’re intending to build and leaving it to the planning officer and building control guys imaginations!

An observation about building control - BC is intended to make sure all residential and habitable buildings meet minimum standards and as such covers things like natural lighting, egress/access and ventilation along with insulation and structural strength. - AFAIK there are no building control 'pro-forna' to cover protective bunkers which, by their obvious nature, cannot have 'natural' ventilation or lighting (windows) and would be built to withstand significant structural 'attack'. (or maybe there are BCs for bunkers - but joe publisic is not allowed to access them?) Colin's bunker and access tunnel would seem, from the construction videos published, to address the needs of a bunker - i.e. NO natural lighting NO natural (i.e. opening window) ventilation, NO direct access and significant strength. It is probably that the BCs have not caught up with the 'bunker' concept BUT given there are plenty of government bunkers around, which have legitimacy, maybe BC need to construct 'regulations', different to conventional building controls, to address the specific needs of bunkers and access tunnels. There will be thousands of homes in the UK with converted lofts and cellars where owners have not bothered with planning or building control so, unless Local Authorities are going to embark on a draconian enforcement regime I would think their best approach, in Colin's case, is to make an appropriate exemption from BC where there is no part of BC to cover the development. The only area where BC should probably seek a formal structural assessment would be where the tunnel engages with the house foundations. I'm sure that, given the construction videos, and no doubt other unpublished video, Colin would be able to get a structural signoffs for that element.

I’m thinking that he had a big enough following and his revenue would cover any future costs. Even if he is required to undue the work, he’s probably going to get very rich, which is not the same outcome for others not following the building codes.

Elon Musk stated that regarding his Boring company that he didn't need legal approval for a tunnel, but you need approval for where you go down/up with the opening. He said something about you dont own the ground under your land. He also said you can go deeper in many levels if you want more room for many tunnels/roads. I don't know how it works by law, but I figure if someone should make a tunnel under the city and your house some meters below you don't need approval for all landowners/houses above.

Lmao Iv been in the building industry for 30 years and I would trust his underground tunnels more then a consultant

Also, re: Insulation. If you think METERS of dirt isn't enough, I don't know what to tell you. Also, Stairs? Natural Light? In a tunnel...

Title is a *little* clickbait-y

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"

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.

he basically paid off the neighbors by getting them involved in the process, so they wouldn't complain. It was very intelligently done. If he had applied first, it is likely he would have gotten rejected.

Interesting.... thanks

1 bit of information that is overlooked. If your building a secret tunnel or bunker. (And it was a secret, his neighbour didn't have a clue the tunnel was getting built) the only issue is if you go to sell your house but what if like many of us, you don't plan to sell your house. You want to live in it till you die. Then it isn't an issue.

Atlas bunkers will sign off on it as bunker experts

Is it even classed as a dwelling anymore? It's a production studio, nobody has lived there for yonks. You never see the immediate neighbours either. So I suspect he/his production company own those as well.

One possible outcome without even watching this video. Colin makes a crapton of money from the year(s) worth of youtube videos he is able to make, then he's told to fill it all in with soil and cap it with concrete and pay a small fine for some planning breach / disturbing the earthworms. Still comes out a million dollars ahead. How's my guess?

I am sure he has it sorted out and I'm sure he has it sorted. I'm sure people won't build with out a permit

I'm pretty sure he was told that it's no longer a house, but a bunker with a house (not a house with a bunker) and as far as the tunnel goes he would like to get verified as 'access to the bunker' not a living space or storage

Not sure if you’re accent is from Cork or Callander?!

Lemme just ask my local nanny-state for technical approval of a thing that doesn't exist or have any comparisons before that we necessarily have to adjust as we find things, on my own property. Never mind that each 'adjustment' will have to go through the whole process again for every single change. That'll speed the process right up.

Colin lives in Stamford

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!

The funny thing is the shirts who sit behind a desk who make the rules of what you can and cannot do at the same time pay someone to put an ikea shelf up with instructions because they’ve never had dirty hands and search on line for a left handed screwdriver……. As a builder of 20+ years I wouldn’t house a dog in a new build following this days ‘rules’

Good points you raised but I'm not sure why you need insulation when the air temperature under ground is so much more stable. He's unlikely to need heating and better thermal performance than the house. As for structural strength, concrete with the steel liner will be much stronger than the brick it is supporting and given it's all sat on lime stone, it ain't going anywhere.

Hmm, I get what you are trying to show and technically, you are correct. But the tone and insinuation suggest that you don't actually approve of, or like what @colinfurze has done. His channel is superb and I am sure he is doing these things in full knowledge of any complications down the line. Take his channel for what it is, entertainment.

Do like your point about “in case of fire”. Its colin… there is always fire!!!

This is why you never buy land inside city limits.. It's literally just an open prison.

i actually somewhat agree with you. even if it was demolished it would be still a nice piece of content. like #RIPTUNNEL

That's why you have to build your flamethrowers first.

He doesn't live in that house anymore. Its a show home for his channel. He lives somewhere else.

In the states you need 3 building permits for a dock in some places. If you have two and build it, the city will make you tear it down and charge you by the day till it's removed. Collin does some cool projects, and working in solid limestone, I don't think he's doing much risk to anyone. The tunnel is built very strong as well. Building approval or not Collin is probably a bad ass to have as a neighbor. In the event of a tornado you know he will probably let his neighbors huddle in there. It would be sad if some prick caused his dreams and everyone's entertainment to be cut short. You went kinda far looking up plans and single him out. Which isn't really cool in my opinion. Yea you have a point but you could have been more general with it. And maybe gave examples of what could happen. But pulling on coat tails of someone who put a lot of blood and sweat into its construction. If you had a real concern with the safety or structure he was building maybe this would be called for. Not sure who will hire a architect that checks if the dishwasher had a permit

I'd love to hear from colin himself , what he thinks of your video 🤔

As a builder, it's nice to see the face of what we refer to as a walking clipboard... It's people like you who take the scenario of 1 historically failed project and demand every project be over engineered after that. It's just an assumption game with you lot. Making life harder for the rest to justify your job... Just like HSE demand a hard hat on an open field with no plant equipment because the land is allocated for construction, bureaucratic unwarranted bs. The fact you've tried to out Furze for clicks proves my point.

as long as he doesn't want to sell his house no issue

Colin invited his neighbour to the tunnel. Smart

I think at the end of the day Colin probably doesn't even care if he can't sell that house at market value, he's living pretty humbly given the size of his channel. I just look up where he lives and it's the same town I live in 😂, I had no clue 😂😂.

Just a further warning after 1st October 2023, the time limit for English Building Regulations enforcement has been changed to ten tears, so be so warned!! Building Safety Act 2022 has made several fundamental changes to the original Building Act of 1984. Yes, the building control laws are different in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and , of course , the Republic of Ireland. #registered building inspector #old_building_regulations_surveyor

Out of 12 million people a fair few of them must be architects and planning permission givers

I have a feeling, a lot of pockets are going to be lined, and he'll be fine! ... $ game.

I wouldn't be surprised if he owns the houses next to him already. The local farmers don't mind him doing whatever he wants. But don't dig under foundations without consent.

Not in the UK but I’m quite Sure that the same BS goes on in in the US. It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Its better to ask forgiveness then permission. 99% of the time you wong get permission. Honestly it's your property, your house...do what you want!!!

Vogon poetry

In America, it is easier to seek forgiveness, than it is to seek permission.

Sounds like a set of good reasons not to live in town so you can use your own land the way you want.

Only a Slave will ask for permission. People need to realize that.... Legal refers to policy's Statutory Acts's known as (Legislation's) they apply to corporate entities. The Law is to cause no harm loss or injury to to anybody which applies to every Man/Woman. A Private Trust is the best way to protect your assets from Corrupt corporations ie; the Crown, Government, HMRC, DVLA, Council, Police, Land registry the DWP ECT......

He probably doesn’t care , the number of subscribers he has means he will be earning millions ,far in excess of what his house is worth and so we’ll worth the risk

Pretty sure, if he had asked for permission first, it wouldnt have been granted. and he would still be waiting on the final ruleing on his case after 8 years. 😅

Thats probably why he hasn't made a new tunnel vedio in the last 2 weeks his probably appled for approval and is wanting for it to come through.

let's be honest the majority of those 12 milly sub's are not in the position to own their own home or even if they did most likely not have the funds available to build anything like what he's doing anyway

The best strategy for anyone living in the UK is always to move away from the UK. imagine insulating underground lol

Sorry bud, I am across the pond and lots of my friends here in the USA love Colin Furze.

Lots of people hating on this video, but it’s actually quite informative

🎉 I appreciate your diligence from the states! ❤

Actually genuinely useful info, you seem to be getting a lot of hate but I don't sense malice in your manner.