Vijay

The reason I ask is I believe mains gas is still a relatively cheap way of heating with a good boiler. So the extra expense of an ashp would pay for a lot of gas bills

Cheers guys. Happy to use ply /OSB in the kitchen wall. I assume plasterboard can then be screwed straight to that afterwards? In terms of normal stud walls (which I'll have in the upper floors, is there a way of getting them to sound solid and not hollow? Vijay

from what I gather and other opinions, I think it's Natural England who take over, so the council would just say we're doing what we're told by Natural England. And from what I've read, Natural England won't care who's problem it is, they just care about the GCN's.

Need to make a decisions on some internal non load bearing walls and whether to go for stud or block. One of them is between the kitchen and dining room so will have kitchen units on that wall. The thing I like with block walls is the feeling of them sounding solid when thumped. I've never been in a timber house or can't remember ever being in a house with a stud wall that I paid any attention to. I have it in my mind that stud walls sound flimsy and echoey when thumped, but is that the case? Also what about noise transfer? Cheers Vijay

I've just found out that the pond is being relocated to a walkway at the end of my plot, which kids walk though to get to a new playing field. The walkway can't be more than 4-5m wide. The large tree you can see on the left is in my plot and the grass area is their new playing field (land is loaned to them for 10 years). I can't believe they're relocating the pond to where kids will walk/run to a playing field!!!

Just one thought about buying kitchens abroad, what about aftersales with wrong/missing or damaged items which always seams to happen with kitchens?

lol that'd do it

Barney, not sure they wouldn't be able to get across steel sheeting. Been reading a bit about them and it seems they can climb things. I found this about fencing off the area from a government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/great-crested-newts-surveys-and-mitigation-for-development-projects Fencing as part of mitigation or compensation Slope the fencing at an angle between 40 and 45 degrees to allow newts to climb into the receptor area but not escape. When installing temporary fencing: use an amphibian worker and a fencing contractor to instruct or supervise the work search and clear the fence line of newts first - carefully cut back vegetation if necessary use a membrane that won’t break down or become brittle, eg 1000 gauge transparent polythene sheeting, woven polypropylene or black polythene DPC make the membrane as taut as possible so there are no creases or folds make sure there’s a suitable underlap so the newts can’t pass underneath, and an overhang so they can’t climb over it place the backfill turf downwards in the trench and compact it so the newts won’t use it for shelter secure the fence to supporting posts with pads and nails or staples, not battens position fence posts outside the receptor area fence (and for drift fencing, on the side least likely to encounter newts) curl-join any joins in the membrane and secure them to a post with pads and nails - do this underground as well avoid gaps the newts could pass through use a stile if the fence crosses a footpath Protect the area with security fencing in areas open to the public. If you need to allow farm access through a fence, keep the gap as small as possible and turn back each end of the barrier 45 degrees to the fence. This deflects the newts away from the gap. Exclusion fencing may need ongoing maintenance to make sure it’s still working. The licence holder should keep a record of inspections and repair work to fences. When you take down the fencing, remove backfill carefully by hand if newts could be sheltering in it. I'm quite surprised to see woven polypropylene in the list of membranes to use as I would have thought it would give them something to cling to. Black polythene DPC would be the cheapest I would have thought but there's also Ebay listings for specialised sheeting such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Newt-Barrier-Reptile-Fencing-Natural-Green-tint-sheet-/161959556141?hash=item25b58ab42d:m:mwWehhhSQWlDGHt9oPJDsmg and http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Newt-Reptile-Fencing-100m-Rolls-Green-BRAND-NEW-large-quantities-available-/162198175577?hash=item25c3c3bf59:g:Xl4AAOSwRQlXf6Z4 I think all of your advice makes common sense, so my plan is to carry on while watching out for any evidence at all of GCN. I 'll make sure to keep on top of keeping the plot clear of any growth or weeds. There is one low spot where a when it rains heavy water can settle, so I will move some earth into it this week to flatten it out. I will also put up some membrane along the fence to stop the weeds growing through (and those pesky GCN from looking at my plot lol) but which membrane to go for?? Also one small issue is the membrane would need to be on my side of the fence, but I could turn the top edge over the fence, so I would create an overhang as described on the government website

Yep, that's my plot nearest and that was last year, it was completely cleared by the time I'd finished - actually raked by hand!!!! lol What I meant is would any weed control fabric/membrane act as a GCN barrier as I could happily use that to hold back that overgrowth you can see in the next plot - and not my fault if it stopped newts exploring my plot Yeah I read one of his posts, 6k and 2 years of hoop jumping

The problem is the footings won't be started for a few months as I'll be doing them with my own digger. As I mentioned, my Mum has to go in for heart surgery next month (it was supposed to be last Monday but got cancelled), so I need to be local for her for the 6 weeks recovery. The last thing I want to do is be an hour away if she needs anything I agree with what you guys have said, there seems absolutely no reason why GCN would decided to live on my land when there is absolutely nothing there to support them. All I'm concerned is that I would not be able to stop them moving the pond (to where ever it is going to go as I cannot find anything on the council website to do with the ecology reports), if I don't raise it with them now - which I'm loathed to do!! What is newt protection fence made from? If I put it up, then basically I have admitted that I am aware of the situation. Would a weed control mat put up along the 4 bar fence help stop them exploring my plot?? Another issue is that the plot between me and the school is not being maintained at all. You can see it in this pic (the 4 bar fence is the boundary between my plot and the unmaintained one, then the school is on the other side of that plot)

The problem is if I ask about it, then I've effectively started any paperwork with planning/Natural England. I've known about the development, adding a second floor to the school, but the pond/newt thing is completely new to me and the emails I posted are the only notifications. Surely it should be the schools responsibility to put new barriers up around their boundary? But I imagine Natural England would want them to roam free

the problem with keeping quiet is that if they move the pond, then it's too late to stop it - not that I would be able to since they have a license from Natural England

I've had the tree protection fence condition discharge but I haven't actually started work as I was waiting for my Mum to have a heart op. The plan was to start the footings in October. Yes the site has been completely cleared. I've never heard of planning aid, is it this site? http://www.rtpi.org.uk/ I've just looked at the condition on my approval to do with the ecology report but I can't see that getting me anywhere now that they've decided I may need a license: 5. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations set out in the Ecological Assessment report produced by Aspect Ecology and dated January 2011 unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To protect habitats and/or species of importance to nature conservation from significant harm in accordance with the Government's aim to achieve sustainable development as set out in the NPPF.

IIRC, a report cost a forum member £1300

Just when I'm fed up with things - http://forum.buildhub.org.uk/ipb/topic/1011-great-crested-newts/

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to tackle this. I received an email from planning, they got an email from the an environmental planner. Basically a nearby schools is being developed by adding another storey and I believe changing the car park layout. Environmental planner to planning officer: I have recently provided ecological advice to NCC on planning applications at Roade Primary School. At the start of the development it came to light that there was a population of European protected Great crested newts in the pond on the school site. According to the Ecological Assessment supporting permission S/2011/0064/OUT the school pond is adjacent to Land to rear of 33 Hartwell Road. Our applicant’s Ecologists have since gained a derogation licence from Natural England to relocate the population of smooth newts and Great crested newts and created a compensation pond immediately to the north of plot 3s and 4. I therefore thought it appropriate to make South Northamptonshire Council Development Control aware that a derogation licence would be likely to be needed to clear vegetation or to develop the remaining undeveloped land or sites where development is incomplete. I therefore suggest that SNC make the relevant applicants and developer or consultant ecologists aware of the new record for protected species to avoid any infringement of wildlife laws. Planning officer to me: As the owner/developer of plot 3 at the above site, I am forwarding to you an email we have received from Northamptonshire County Council (below). Please note its contents and the potential legal responsibilities for yourself. If protected species are present you must be aware that to proceed with the development without seeking advice from Natural England could result in criminal prosecution. You may wish to contact NCC for further information and/or Natural England for advice on necessary licences. I have full planning permission and there was an ecological report done when the land was being developed. This showed that there was were no newts and the pond within the school was unlikely to support great crested newts. It also stated that the nearest newts were some 5.5km away. So it looks like somehow these newts have travelled the 5.5km or possible the school at some point has introduced them into their pond. I don't know exactly where the new pond is going to be, but it can't be any closer than it already is to my plot and at an absolute minimum, can't be nearer than 25m from my boundary. There is another plot in between mine and the school boundary. I'm panicking a but to be honest and this could be the final nail in the coffin of my self build. I guess my first call has to be to the planning officer and environmental planner, but how could I be affected by newts which are 25m from my boundary? Cheers Vijay

If you have mains gas, what's your reason for wanting an ASHP?

I'm jealous Jamie, I've been wondering how I can get head height for a lift. Friends are telling me to go the other way with a pit but I'm not convinced................. I wonder if your engineer knows mine

Was this your first self build?

I've always believed I would enjoy it once I got started, as it will then me at my own pace as I'm moving on my own into the house. It's just been the whole drama of architects, structural engineer, builders, suppliers which are just proving to be a headache. I'm not sure how a project manager would help me at this stage as it could just be another person who doesn't listen and comes up with solutions for the sake of one rather that the best one

Did you go part underground to get 3m head height for a lift??

I really appreciated everyone's replies Nick, I've been using the digger over the last few weeks at a mates farm and starting to enjoy using it and not getting fazed by the way a digger can throw you around Jamie, I intend to use Polarwall as I agree Alan is just fantastic and been one of the very few that have been on the ball. Sadly I wish his builders would follow his example. I'm gonna do a list as you suggest and concentrate on a few things rather that the whole thing at once. I just hope I don't hit any more real headaches as I hate that I've even thought about giving up.......................................... As stupid as it may sound, the main reason I don't want to give up, is the thought of having my garage/workshop and being able to work on my cars without worrying my tools will be nicked from my drive.

I don't feel I've got very far but: Got the house complete redesigned with a layout I love. Architect didn't think I would get permission but it got approved. Working drawings almost completed (can't finish until the SE finishes). Initial SAP design passed Got the site cleared and fairly levelled out (still need a lot more doing when the build starts). Got the condition for tree protection fences discharged. Bought a digger. Still on-going: Trying to get structural engineers drawings that are fit for the job. This has been on going since February this year. I've found that people just give you a solution without any thought of cost or ease. Common sense doesn't seem to exist Trying to get the B&B floor design sorted - but that has been messed around cos of the SE Been trying for 6 months to get prices from ICF builders. Endless people not calling back or replying, so many false promises!!!!!!!!!! I would rather someone just say they are not interested, at least I know where I stand.

Thanks guys. I'm still not sure which way I will go but I hate living where I am in London so much that I have to do something. I've thought so much over the weekend about looking to buy a house but I know that which never give me my dream house an that will incur it's own set of problems. I think you're all right, I need to have a break and switch off somehow from the whole self build thing.

I haven't even started the build yet!!! So it's gonna get worse