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Lay a 5mm bed of sand into a frame set flints into this face down, lay thin mesh or grid on that, plop on mortar, leave some wall ties hanging our, allow to set. Build in like it was a window but without the wooden frame.

Useful stuff, thanks Sensus. I think what was interesting about Joe's case is that the council made some clear errors (errors obvious enough that a non-professional - no offence Joe! - could spot them). It's concerning that people who are paid to know and implement the law could not only get it so wrong, but would then spend taxpayer money fighting it. Bear in mind also that Joe did, in fact, engage a professional at the start of the process. Given how far they got him, I can understand why he took it upon himself to take the process further. Also, Joe already had planning permission to build something. He cleverly used the same footprint for that as for the application he was appealing, so he was able to crack on knowing that whatever the outcome of the appeal, he'd still be able to build, and the appeal wouldn't be holding him up. Perhaps not general advice to go it alone, but I suspect each case needs to be looked at on its merits. I've also little doubt that there're planning consultants and planning consultants. In our case (and I think this is pretty common), there's a planning consultancy directly across the road from the planning department, and it's staffed mostly with ex-planners, including the ex-head of the department. I personally know two people who've employed them with huge success. Poachers turned gamekeepers (or is it the other way around? )

Just watched first of house of the year, blown away by some of the ideas and the two best got on the shortlist IMO although the other three had a lot about them. Building the house around the street - inspired.

If anyone has followed my blog you'll know that my house has a whacking great retaining wall. A land drain was put in to it and it hasn't stopped running with water since it was installed, during the recent rain it's absolutely gushing so I know it's working well! I was already considering rainwater harvesting but considering the land drain pipe is already running exactly through where my underground tank would be could I also incorporate this in to my grey water system for flushing toilets? Another point to consider is that this land drain is directly underneath a soak away for the septic tank of neighbours behind me - see picture of exposed soak away.

That is plenty of pressure. The "leak" is probably the NRV being imperfect as there is no reservoir for it to charge up. I would say you are good to go with an accumulator.

Looks nice and dense. Quality

Hadn't thought of that at all MrP. I am a newbie at this building malarkey. Will look into it though - thanks.

Just a few more updates, the monsoon on Monday has caused delays this week but luckily we had some contingency time built in here. Another week to get up to wall plate with the roof trusses arriving 5th December. Can't wait to see the trusses in place and finally get a look at the full size and shape of the place.

sharp sand looks good with the stones but is harder to work. you will need lime in the mix whatever you do but weather you use white cement and hydrated lime or just hydraulic lime depends how much of a purist you are, back when we were doing a lot of repairs for one of the local estates, IIRC our mix was 5 sharp, 2 soft washed, 1 lime and 1 white cement, (possibly 1 building sand depending how bright the sharp was) we used such a weak mix as we were repetitively cleaning the same flints where people kept driving through the same spot, If i were doing it on my own house i would probably add the 1 building sand and another 1/2 lime and cement,

Garador are owned my Hormann I don't believe their is a link between Novoferm or Garador/Hormann, certainly not at a company/corporate level.

Pretty much all sorted, yes. We ended up working around the beam issues which, had I known beforehand that it would have taken so long, I would have ordered a new beam. Partly I wasn't that confident with the steel company and was 50% sure a new one would have been just as bad. The guys are due to leave site tomorrow, I understand. Roof to be slated the week after next I think and windows due w/c 12th Dec. Apparently the windows will take around 2 weeks but hopefully they'll be done for Christmas so then I can crack on with the MVHR over the holiday period

Aaahhhh....!!! OK I'm used to using a mix box : bucket so the ratios are 3 buckets sand, half lime, half OPC in a standard mixer. I've never actually thought of that in litres ..!

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+1 to the eyewash recommendation These are less than £10 and worth every penny Steroplast Eyewash Pod Station https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CRLPB6S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RSwnyb68NVT0W One of these will keep the HSE happy but supplement it with a big box of plasters ! Steroplast 10 Person HSE First Aid Kit With Wall-Mountable Case https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JFRY9TC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KTwnybXS1NDMD And don't forget the accident book ...!