NSS

Planning decisions for new builds across South Hampshire (and some other areas) have been on hold now for several months due to concerns about nitrate levels in the Solent and the increase in blue green algae as a result. Various mitigation schemes are being discussed (Portsmouth City Council are even looking at creating massive Oyster beds in the Solent), but it seems like there's little chance of a quick fix. I was speaking earlier today to a small developer who has effectively been on gardening leave for the day past four months, with his current project at a complete standstill (land purchasedn planning app submitted, but no idea of when it may even be considered). One more thing to check if you're looking at the ideal plot - is it in an area where nitrate neutrality will be a pre-requisite of any planning application (assuming they'll even consider it!).

It's not just bedrooms that are classified as habitable spaces. We had to have one "means of escape" window in each bedroom, study, main living area and utility room. We chose to have opening windows in each of the bathrooms just in case the MVHR extraction struggled to deal with what @JSHarris describes as "malodourous" events ?

The Plant Room. We ended up putting more in it than we originally anticipated so it's a bit cramped when you need to access/service anything. Can't swing a hedgehog never mind a cat!

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Still working my way through the leftover timber from our build. So far it has provided the framework for our raised deck area, base for a log cabin, base for shed, base for pyramid greenhouse, garage and shed shelving, and veg trug (see below). I'm now at the point of inventing jobs to use it for, such as the hedgehog house!

For someone whose opening statement said they were not very experienced in DIY, looks like you've done a pretty professional job ?

Hogwatch update: Night 5 and a regular pattern is emerging as our prickly friend has arrived each night sometime between 10.40pm and 11.50pm, and then passes back in the opposite direction between 4am and 4.50am. Last night it ventured inside the house for the first time (lured by a few mealworm). No sign of the badger since the first night.

Mrs NSS is asking if she can come and visit, please ?

We're definitely not rural. The boundary of our plot (effectively a back garden plot) is bordered by a total of 8 other detached properties. Nearest 'green space' is a graveyard about 200m away. We also get foxes, though not seen any in the back garden for a while, and knew we had hedgehogs visiting but the badger was a real shock - not least because Mrs NSS woke me screaming "BADGER, WE'VE GOT A BADGER" at 1.15am this morning!

Seems that Badgers will eat Hedgehogs so I've had to deploy a couple of coppers to guard Hog House.

Yep, I'm just amazed we've had visitors so soon.

As Roy Scheider once famously said... "We're going to need a bigger box" Cabin_08_19_2019_1_17_44am.mp4

Cabin_08_18_2019 11_58_52pm-1.mp4

Cabin_08_19_2019 12_02_20am.mp4

Bingo!

You'll need to upscale the dimensions of that plan if you want to house Buffalo in it! ?

Just had our first motion trigger. No hedgehog so not sure what triggered it as I'm pretty sure the dried mealworm I put out were dead.

Basic plans available here - https://littlesilverhedgehog.com/2016/01/26/build-a-hedgehog-house/

No idea. GIA is 0.156 m2 and the materials cost next to knack all, but the brownie points earned from Mrs NSS are absolutely priceless ?

They love our Hosta plants. Perhaps I'll plant a few around the 'house'.

Just been reading up on this and according to thehedgehog.co.uk "We also used to suggest chopped peanuts, but recent research shows that hedgehogs eating larger quantities of these, can suffer from brittle bones as the calcium gets leaked out of the system by eating too many." Cat food, particularly chicken flavour, appears popular so may give that a try, but bacon is another no no - presumably they turn into Porkupines ?

Peanuts it will be then. Do they prefer salted or dry roasted? ?

Some left over OSB and EPDM (from roofing the shed), a few screws and stainless staples and, voila, one weatherproof home. Awaiting EPC and building regs sign-off, but with luck the new occupants can move in very soon. Tomorrow's job is to position an Arlo camera in the hope of getting some video footage of our spiky friends ?

... for our visiting hedgehogs ?