Temp

Can we start by doing a before and after comparison. What were you paying for gas and what are you paying now for electricity? For example do you have old bills that tell you how many units of gas you used? By my reckoning electricity is so much more expensive than mains gas (per kWH) that ASHP will definitely cost more to run in very cold weather.

It would be interesting to see what other members think of adding something like these fans to radiators to improve their ability to emit heat at lower flow temperatures. Obviously it might be better to fit larger or double rads but if that's already been done what about these? Would the electricity they consume out weigh the improvement? They claim a running cost of £2 a year. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radfan-Classic-Small-Power-Radiator/dp/B00GR0STTG

In general the cost of running a heating system depends on the heat loss. So reducing the room temperature reduces heat loss and running cost. Any other effect on overall efficiency is a secondary factor. So I say go ahead and turn off/down rooms that don't need to be heated.

+1 System boiler and possibly a mains pressure H/W tank of some sort. Spend money on insulation, better windows etc. If you like gas for cooking then consider a dual fuel oven like a Britannia Range connected to a 47kg Gas Cylinder (or two on an auto change over). Cylinder Gas is too expensive for heating but the amount used for cooking is small in absolute terms. A 47kg Cylinder costs about £60 and lasts us 18 months (family of four). The oven is electric. Other companies make similar.

If you already have Planning Permission its very unlikely the planners will take any action as they can be liable for costs of removing it. First thing I would do is get a copy of both title plans and overlay them on an old OS map at same scale to see how everything lines up. Yes I know these aren't definitive. Get a 60m tape and measure from any features shown on your side to the current boundary position. I know this isn't "proof" of anything but it might tell you if there is something wrong and where it might come from or if its total fiction. The rules on Adverse Possession changed in 2002 (?) and unlikely you will be able to use that to claim ownership as its registered land. Nowadays you can make a claim after 10 years BUT the LR then try and contact the registered owner who has 2 years to assert their right to the land and reclaim possession. If they do then its game over for you. I would NOT go down that route without taking advice as making an application might amount to admitting the land is not part of your title. See also a PM I sent you.

My architect and our planning officer both felt it was worth producing a street scene drawing showing what the end result will look like from the road. It showed our proposal and the buildings either side. Its a work of fiction because there is no one place where you can see that view. Instead its more like what you see if driving past, bit like the photo finish images they use to determine horse races. Would your outbuilding be visible in such a drawing? "Over development" is very subjective. What percentage of the land will end up covered by buildings?

That's what we did. Filled in the sides of the I beam and fitted joist hangers. Near/under our Thermal Store we used hangers with long tails that went over the top of the I beam and down the other side. Nailed both sides. Not going anywhere.

Ah Project Management. The worst bit about Project Management is managing people. "Ready for BC" is a bit vague. Is the Architect tasked with "Obtaining BC Approval" or just "providing drawings for Building Control Approval"? If its the former he should be doing the "Project Management" of this phase. He should be speaking direct to the SE and "managing the SE". In this situation it doesn't matter to you what drawings the SE needs because at the end of the day the Architect has to deliver Building Control Approval and the BCO may require input from an SE as well. After you put the two in touch you just keep chasing the Architect eg Ask him when does he think he will be ready to apply for BC Approval? If its the latter then a good Architect would still be proactive in his relationship with the SE. A less good Architect that's busy might expect you to manage the SE. You can find yourself stuck between two obstinate people, one who says he needs drawings and the other who says he doesn't, or similar. In normal times I have resolved these sort of issues by getting both sides in a room together. I guess now it might have to be a three way zoom call. You can ask the SE what he needs from the Architect in front of the Architect. Then ask the Architect when he thinks he can provide these things to the SE. Record the session, make notes, send a follow up letters to both summarising what was agreed. Later if you have to part ways you have a lot of letters showing he agreed to do xyz and didn't so shouldn't get paid. If you are paying near 10% of the build cost I would expect him to be more proactive than he appears to be from your OP.

+1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf Page 40/41 covers outbuildings and PP is required if.. If you notify the planning department after he starts they may feel obliged to ask him to apply for planning permission. That may or may not be granted.

How much have you agreed the Architect will do... Just get Planning Permssion? Building Control Approval? Construction Drawings (if needed)? Supervise getting quotes and Builder selection? Supervise the actual building work or just provide support if needed? Getting him to do the whole lot can cost >10% of the build cost.

Google found examples of their decision discussed here.. https://www.stiveschambers.co.uk/content/uploads/2019/04/Modification-of-Restrictive-Covenants-article-final.pdf

Not done one but if thats the process involving the Land Tribunal I have read it can take two years. Backlog due to Covid as well?

Unfortunately its not that simple. What is the land currently used for? You might need planning permission for "change of use."

Heights are normally measured from the highest ground immediately adjacent to the building/deck. I found this appeal which covers decking on sloping ground.. https://www.merton.gov.uk/assets/Documents/22 St Georges Rd Appeal Decision May 19 Decking a d Fence and Extension.pdf What I don't know is if the government have changed the rules since or if they have gone to the high Court to get it overturned.

How did his quote compare with others?

Not all covenants can be enforced and in that case it is possible to get them removed at the Land Registry. If it is enforceable it still might be possible to get it removed of amended by application to the Lands Tribunal" but that can take a long time. When land is split its common for the covenant to apply to both parts. However when its merged the covenant usually only applies to the original part. I think you need to find a specialist and get them to quote to review the paperwork and recommend a way forward. Compare that with the cost of insurance.

Perhaos because CH loops can be dosed with corrosion inhibitors where as secondary loops can't. That might affect pump life but if you have already paid for it then I'd use it until it fails. Several ebay sellers appear to sell that pump as secondary loop pump but I can't find any info on an RS25/6 on the Wilo website.

I agree you don't need a full time project manager but it's essential that someone with good organisational skills is part of the team. That could be you, a builder, a project manager, a site foreman or just a good all round trade you can trust. That person should ideally visit the site first and last thing to make sure people are turning up on time and not disappearing early and make sure everyone has what they need for the next day or two. You want to avoid trades turning up then having to go off site to buy essential nails or whatever because it turns into an hour coffee break you are paying for. It would be easy to discover that nobody has ordered something or you are short on materials , find they are on 2 week lead times and then loose a good worker because they have nothing they can do in the meantime. These are project management skills.

Making sure these are consistent with any stages as the lender requires. Retain 5% or 10% of each stage for snagging.

Welcome to the forum. Telebeam works but its probably more expensive so perhaps only use if more traditional methods can't be used.

Are you tiling over the screed? If so consider forming expansion gaps where two areas of screed meet at doorways. Otherwise there is a chance of getting a curved crack that can propagate through the tile. With a straight expansion gap you can tile upto it or put a cill piece over it.

Guess I'm not awake tonight. Was up watching the sailing at 3am.

How did you let the water pressure off? Heating drain cock?

Possibly another here for $35 but design looks different.. https://www.tubularheater.de/instant-heater-for-dishwasher/57083347.html

Google found one that looks similar to mine here but its not much cheaper than a whole new assy from ebay.... https://ziperone.com/products/00000024678