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>>> There is currently a concern amongst many LAs of applicants falsely claiming self-build status in order to avoid BNG. That's been said before and I don't think there's any basis for it. In fact I suggest it's complete nonsense. So, there's a bunch of developers in many LPAs (enough to warrant an actual policy for) who develop single dwellings, not as limited companies, and try to swindle their LPAs out of BNG? Yeah right, how many LPAs have more than a handful of self-builds every year? How many get sold before 3-years is up? The developers do the entire complex Everest-like self-build journey for the purpose of saving some BNG? And they sell before 3-years for this scam rather than for instance dying or divorcing? It would be easier and safer and more lucrative to be an internet scammer I think. CIL has a whole mechanism to verify self-build status -- self-build mortgage, self-build VAT reclaim etc etc etc. Why would LPAs need another mechanism?

Many of the questions that I have been searching for via the internet have brought me here; so I decided to register. We're building from a kit which has 150mm walls and a 175mm roof; hence we have to fit 40mm of PIR to the ceiling and 25mm to the walls in order to meet Scottish regs. The foundations started in August and we've been working on it since early September. We have ordered a Catnic, standing-seam roof kit, and plan to install that ourselves after being messed about by a specialist roofer. Having twice previously installed our own underfloor heating system, we've already installed the underfloor pipework and have Cemfloor self-levelling screed over 140mm PIR. We'll be having a 5kW, Ecodan ASHP, which has been generously donated by the Scottish Government. I'll try to upload images once I've collated them, and I'll update on progress.

Asking for a friend? Why do you need to break up and remove the slab?

Try not to fit the advice to what you where already going to do Conor is spot on by assuming the worst Pennies compared to other extras that will crop up

the guy who bought my other rebuildable property had a good idea its not yet habitable ,but because he was living on site in a caravan they wanted to charge him rates on the caravan he told them with docs to back it up that he was running his biz remotely from the site so it was classed as commercial small biz inscotland of less than £17000 rateable value pay no biz rates nice one!!!

A single check will be quite short, a double check longer and with a hex nut for service (in the majority of cases). Defo try what I suggest and eliminate that is my 2 cents.

It would be pretty easy to set up a list of native plants and trees akin to rewilding or set aside, which could be incorporated into the outside space.

A hard surface is an asset. Why turn an asset into a cost? Other people tell us to do this but it is our money.

Iwould replace the connectors and then yse glue filled heat shrink tubing over the joint that will be 101% waterproof

Sorry, I missed the bit where you said you had the browns together, yes that would also work.

Enclosed is TT wall buildup. With typo (1000mm).

No probs. - 400sqm house and a 14kW Daikin Altherma 3ph ASHP.

The TF company (Turner Timber) had an additional insulation package, which they affixed onsite. probably not shown on the program - 100mm to the internal face of the walls. 120mm which was already in the frame. Yeah triple glazing was out of the question for us, mostly due to budget and the sheer size of some of our panes. The largest being 4.5m x 3.1m high. These weighed 750kg alone, so to have gone down the triple glazing route, would have meant additional structural engineering costs and probably beefing up the steel.

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. Yes wet underfloor heating throughout. The first-floor build up is Open posi joists, 22mm egger protect chipboard, 15mm insulated UFH board to which the underfloor heating pipes were laid in. These insulated UFH boards were contact adhesive, and mechanically fixed down to the primed chipboard. Then we installed 14mm engineered wood onto this, which had to be glued down.

Keep your eye on the prize: Planning Permission. It's a nervy time, applying for permission. Hoops to jump through , walls to face-plant into, people being badly behaved, for ever rushing yourself and then having to wait for everyone else. Its a test of character. Now is not the time to challenge the insolence of fortune. That luxury comes on Appeal. Because if after you've been a good-boi and swallowed your medicine and played by their rools made up on the hoof or otherwise , they refuse permission and you appeal, then their actions will be put under scrutiny. What-ifs are not for now. Later. Eye on the prize.

I’ve been doing this for 30+ years chief, do as the wise Welshman says lol. 😜

Is the non return on the UVC hot outlet a single check or double check? I’d look at that next as these tend to be quiet with lots of flow/pressure and noisy with lower values. May be the ‘groan’ off that tbh.

Ok, but don’t use mortar, it’s crap, use flexible tile adhesive instead. Cement is way to friable, and will just disintegrate over time removing any support you assumed it would provide long term. If you can fit / cut a paving slab then cement board should be a doddle?! Again, use tile adhesive regardless not mortar for bedding those too.

Can you just copy and paste a BNG statement from somewhere? I don't disagree with the principle of it. I disagree with paying an arm and a leg to get what must be a pretty genetic plan made out.

There is currently a concern amongst many LAs of applicants falsely claiming self-build status in order to avoid BNG. Most, but not all, LAs will require a s106 agreement to secure self-build against a planning application but if the applicant tries to change to a private market dwelling instead after than they can effectively circumvent BNG as it can only be required as a pre-commencement condition. Out of curiosity, which Council are you dealing with and have they added the requirement for a Unilateral Undertaking (UU) to their validation checklist or to a Development Plan Document? If I was in your position I would raise a validation dispute and try to argue that a UU should not be required.

This may be of some help?. HW Priority Diagram.pdf

Ideally,on the feed downstream of the expansion relief valve, would need a T with a isolating valve and the PG on the end of the T.

It's part of the process. You need to budget for these things. I had a H&S expert do a site risk assessment and provide template documentation and recommendations. £250. Pennies in the big scheme of things, I spent more on spray foam. So far this year in our company, we've had one electrical fatality and at least one other near miss. The near miss would have been a fatality if it wasn't for the use of an insulated fibreglass shovel, as specified by the RAMS.

So long as you don't damage the seal or pipe Hep2O fittings are bullet proof. If it's not leaking after pressurising the system then it'll last for decades.

ahh, not us then. We're in a conservation area and part of the criteria was enhancing biodiversity, with no specific measures. I probably gave it more consideration than was needed!

£1.5k is a bargain, I spent £6k on a ecologist with all the associated surveys etc. We found one bat, which happily flew off, ignoring the accommodation provided.

Personally, I think it’s important LPAs (and other public institutions) stick to the ‘rules’ and not try to circumvent them. This can’t be an official policy as there just are not that many self builds. In the first instance, take the ‘policy’ issue up with councillors, head of LPA, MP etc?

I'd foam any gaps, trim off, and paint on a liquid vapour barrier /airtight paint.

I'd just adhere to the policy. It* was easy for us, replacing non-native trees with native, and a hedge instead of a fence. No ecologist, just a landscaping plan and a paragraph in the design statement. *I'm not actually sure we had to comply, so don't know if the LPA actually cared or not, we didn't get comments either way.

Unless she can turn back time she’s flogging a dead horse. It’s not an unusual occurrence for contractors to forget to inform BC - ask her if you can do a trial hole. She’s hardly going to make you take the foundations out to look at the ground.

The BCO will ask for a trial hole excavated alongside the foundation not inspected. Speak to your BCO.

That being the case you did well to withhold payment. Can you get BCO to meet the groundworker on site to agree a workable solution? Maybe the groundworker will need to expose part of the pad to prove the depth / thickness or whatever?

Afternoon all, After many Google searches leading me to the forum I've eventually signed up. Built several outdoor timber buildings, sheds/garages/workshops, looking to now start on more substantial projects. First up is a small front porch which is where I'm needing a bit of guidance then hopefully an extension down the road. Hello anyway!

OK so you agree that heat pumps are the solution, you just want them to be quieter. So it now becomes a matter of where to draw the line and, for some reason, you believe that the powers that be have, in this country (and others in for example the EU where, very broadly speaking, the requirements are similar), drawn it in the wrong place. The obvious response to this is: The current line is basically drawn at the level set by BS8233, which is, prima facie, logical and consistent. Where, in your view, should the line be drawn and why should an exception (which would further restrict their use) to the principles of BS8233 be made for heat pumps? Why is it more important to make this exception than to do something to mitigate climate change within current legal and building frameworks? In relation to your comment 'I chose to insulate and seal my property properly instead to reduce the need for heating. ' that is indeed laudable but, other than in exceptional circumstances, has nothing like the impact (on climate emissions) of a heat pump so cannot, on its own, be considered adequate progress towards a sustainable future.

Thanks for sharing the stats. Just wondered how many sqm is your house and what size ASHP you ended up with?

In terms of energy saving I did the numbers a couple of years ago. The best bang for your buck beyond bregs basics are: 1. Airtighess 2. MVHR 3. 3g Windows 4. Roof insulation 5. Wall insulation 6. Floor insulation In terms of better performance than basic on a TF you could stick frame it on site and build whatever you like.

I was wondering about the performance numbers, thanks for sharing. Did you add more insulation over the insulation we saw set into the frame? We couldn’t find a TF company that could achieve 0.09 without extra layers of PIR. Triple glazing seems to be the next step for efficiency but I guess with your widows that would have been very expensive?

Amazing property. Recorded the programme whilst on holiday and watched it on our return. Well done. Can I ask, is it wet underfloor heating throughout using the ASHP? If so, what is your first-floor build-up?

We've been in our static for 3.5 years now (fml) and the only heating we have is a wood burner which I let die down in late evening. Call my crazy, but why do you need heat overnight if you're in bed? Buy another duvet!

If there is no wayleave in place, they will have to move it, if you insist. If there is a wayleave, then you'll have to pay for the privilege. Your legal pack when you bought the site should have this info. If not, request from the network owner.

My mantras: Recognise and seize opportunities. Nothing lasts forever. Protect the downsides. What’s important? What is negotiable and what isn’t? Analyse the feelings you want. What’s this really about? Pain recedes.

Thanks everyone. The device proposed is a Stuart Turner catalytic conditioner. The theory is that changing the crystal form of calcium carbonate causes it to be held in suspension instead of sticking to things. Changing form is well-documented science (polymorphic transition), what I'm unsure about is the conditions which bring about such a change, and how the catalyst induces/assists/accelerates the change. Decided to risk the cost and see, as it relies on a physical change and not a chemical one. If it fails I'll look further into Combi-mate, as their base is very local to me and I could ask to see someone in person to discuss.

She wants a fire. One she can see. One visitors can see. FFS folks. Whassa bloke to do? Make the house warm all the bloody time, - underfloor heat - and when folks come, but can't see a fire, it's cold somehow (?) I've a good mind to put a log burner in. 🥵

I'll do it for £40 lol. These beers just don't buy themselves!!

Hey lads, I've had an idea. How about one of those calor gask space heaters that you find in cafes outside on the street?

Create a fireplace outside ' you have that amazing veranda / lougia We just stayed in a PH place in Skye with a log burner - we light it up and flung open all the windows stripped to our undies - not a pretty sight, perhaps marginally worse than a picture of pocster.

Photo of me - I’m hot 👍

£8 k for me up to now and not a single bat to divide the money into. A friend has just gone through the biodiversity route and he reckons it’s going to cost £23 k per house to get it through.

That sycamore tree 'up north', know anything about it.

Side note, I've always thought these should be fitted outside McDonald's, would save the NHS a fortune.