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I guess I should check.. If they are supplying and installing the piling/steels then it MUST all be zero rated to you as you cannot reclaim any VAT incorrectly paid from HMRC. If they are only supplying the piling and steels (not installing them) then they should charge you VAT on these materials and you can reclaim it.

Officially they do NOT need a certificate but a certificate is essentially just a letter you give them that says something like... I certify/confirm that your work relate to the construction of the new dwelling (details below) as therefore qualifies for zero VAT. Your details (name address etc) site location (typically from the title of your planning grant eg House on right of...) Planning reference number Think there is an example in VAT708 but it relates to charities so will need modifying.

Sky news is saying the 0.07% figure comes from "government analysis" and is over 15 years.. https://news.sky.com/story/uk-strikes-agreement-with-japan-to-secure-first-post-brexit-trade-deal-12068674 Better than no deal I guess.

Confirmed... https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/14/doors_and_windows

I suspect it will count as an extension forward of the original principle elevation.

New deal with Japan signed. Expected to boost GDP by..... 0.07%.

Are all the houses in your road similar or is there a lot of variation in size sahap and spacing?

No thats wrong... On a semi PDR allows upto 3m, and the neighbourhood consultation scheme may extend that to 6m. On a detached PDR allows upto 4m and the neighbourood consultation scheme may extend that to 8m.

If it's a vapour permeable membrane then there is no need for a 50mm ventilated void below it - so no need for a vent gap. If it's a traditional non permeable membrane it will need the ventilated void and gap. Although if your loft insulation is on the floor of the loft you only need vents at the eaves.

Hopefully it was less than 10 years ago. See if there is any evidence on Google maps. I think you can look back at old sat images.

Not quite. The zero rating of everything in the case of "Supply and Fit" only applies if they are fitting "Building Materials"... From VAT 708 Para 2.2.. Later in 13.6 it states.. So I would argue it IS a building material under 13.6 and he should zero rate it to you.

I doubt that clause is worth worrying about.If it's a single track road then simply driving down it creates an obstruction. Pretty sure a temporary obstruction is allowed or things like bin lorries would have a problem. Covenants also have to be written to the benefit of some other piece of land. What's the exact wording of yours?

I don't think you have said exactly when it was fenced off or did I miss it? From what you say they haven't made a claim for adverse possession or it would show up at the land registry. Take a look at the land registry "practice guides" on adverse possession and see if you think the current owner has met the requirements so that an application could succeed. How long has he lived there? A claim for adverse possession requires land to be fenced off, with intent to possess, "to the exclusion of all others" so gates or gaps in fences can matter. If a land owner gives permission for someone to use land then possession isn't "adverse", so a claim for adverse possession could also fail for that reason.

You can always send evidence to the planners but apply to discharge that condition with others later. Saves the fee.

Definitely try and find someone he's worked for before. Any reviews out there? Consider stage payments and keep track. Eg at halfway you should have paid him less than half. You could consider hiring a QS to do regular valuations of the work done and pay accordingly but that might be expensive. At least it stops him arguing he has done more work than he's been paid for Get him to quote for any changes before agreeing he should do them. Get him to list what he's included if not already provided with the quote. Compare that list with other quotes for missing things. If you are buying the kitchen has he included fitting? Costs associated with Building Control Approval? Missing stuff is a sign of inexperience and/ or a future bill.

Thanks for the update. I guess first thing to do is have a friendly chat with them if that's possible. Do you actually want the land back or would you be interested in selling it to them? If they get all upset then you should write to them more formally asserting ownership keeping evidence you wrote and they received it. If they put their property on the market write to the estate agent an ask them to contact the new buyer as well. You might also check if you have legal cover included with your house insurance. It can be hard getting the insurance co to pay for a case but they might take it on if its clear cut. In theory you can remove it without permission under common law on "abatement" but be careful. If he later proves you are wrong it could get expensive. It sounds like the neighbour owns the fence so if the fence is damaged in the process then you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law for that. If he calls the police they won't be interested in the land dispute, just in the criminal damage to his fence and any breach of the peace. If you go this route best do it while he is away on holiday and get the new fence up at same time. You should avoid having to go to court if at all possible. I think legally they have created a trespass for which the remedy is an injunction, but where the trespass is small courts have been reluctant to issue one. Going down the legal route.. If friendly discussion fails I suspect the next step would be to agree to some form of arbitration or possibly a solicitors letter pointing out his liability for costs if loses.

I've been back over this thread and its intensely frustrating because so many posts are unclear. Earlier ProDave asked.... and you replied.. However you didn't say if those were the reasons given by the neighbour or by the planning officer? Then you said.. Can you cut to the chase and just post a scan of the formal decision letter (blank out the address and planning reference if you like).

Years ago I recall reading about someone that put expanding foam in the metal mast of a yacht. He did it by lowering a plastic pipe into the mast and pouring mixed two part foam down the pipe using a funnel. Someone else gradually pulled out the pipe as the foam went in. I would suggest doing a practice run outdoors somewhere to get the flow rate and pipe removal rate right. I tried putting expanding foam into a stud wall once. It didn't end well. The side I was working looked fine. Later discovered the other side was pregnant.

They eat the stuff because it makes them feel full. Its deposited wherever they take a s...

Have you checked _both_ title plans from the land registry and compared them with the OS map? Ideally you want both title plans to agree you are right. Unfortunately title plans are not really definitive unless they show the boundary in relation to a fixed feature like a building or old tree. I'm not so sure about that. If the neighbour hasn't formally claimed it yet then I don't think he can do so now because the law on adverse possession was changed a few years back. These days the real owner is notified of any claim and has two years to object before they loose it. If I'm wrong then you can scupper his plans by offering to sell it to him for "a nominal £1 subject to contract". Ask him to accept in writing then immediately back out of the deal. Any subsequent claim for adverse possession fails because by accepting your offer he has accidentally agreed you own it. Regardless of the ownership issue he may have obtained a right of way/passage over some of the land.

Not if its done under permitted development and only "valid planning reasons" are grounds for refusal if you make a planning application.

I would just get on with it. If he tries to get his car out tell him you will move as soon as possible and do so. If he calls the police and they turn up (which I doubt) be exceptionally polite to the police and make sure they see you are rushing about trying to unload quickly. Apologise for them having to come out. Let the neighbour rant and rave. The police will soon understand who has the problem.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/diy-surge-makes-timber-a-hot-commodity-n30zktr9l DIY surge makes timber a hot commodity Tom Howard Tuesday September 01 2020, 12.01am, The Times Builders’ merchants are struggling to keep their warehouses stocked with lengths of timber as the lockdown DIY boom sends lumber prices through the roof. Prices have risen by 119 per cent this year to a record $887 (£653) per thousand board feet, as homeworking fuelled a wave of renovation projects in Britain and across the world.

I went to my local saw mill yesterday. Yard was full of green oak , big tree being cut on the mill. Said they were very busy. I was buying post and rail to fix a fence damaged by falling tree branch. They had lots of pressure treated timber. https://www.brigstocksawmill.co.uk/

Two things.. 1) You could work out the biggest most horrible looking extension allowed under permitted development. That might scare the planners into supporting something closer to what you actually want. 2) Remember that if you apply for planning permission you dont have to apply for the same thing you applied for under the neighbourhood consultation scheme. You could apply for something bigger or with a pitched roof or whatever you actually want.