Canoehq

Again, thank you. I've been lurking in the background reading the various threads on here for some months. It really is a brilliant place and a credit to the very kind people who take their own time to post up to help others. In many ways, as my wife and I are as amateur home builders as you could ever imagine, I would almost like this to become a showpiece project for the Forum itself ! Whilst we have some ideas that we would like to design into the house, none of them are as yet, set in stone, so we are more than happy to be persuaded/advised by better ideas the forum can come up with (within our modest budget !). Yes, I really would like this to become the house the forum built !

Thank you so much for such useful help this early on, really kind. Re your question, there are no other windows in the barn apart from the ones you see. Actually, tell a lie, there are bi-folds on the kitchen gable end. I'm hoping there are technical people out there who can advise appropriately, but generally find where there's a will................. ! It's about 150 sq m of glass in all I think. And yes, ASHP / UFH is in the plan. Hadn't thought about running it in reverse !

Is/was being built under a Class Q Prior Approval conversion planning application, so the entire build needs to stay within the footprint of the original barn. I'm not even allowed to remove the original old steel stanchions etc. and have to design around them. Planning permission is for a conversion, so It seems if I take down the old building, it becomes a 'new build' which isn't allowed !! Yes, the glass is a worry and no, not deep pockets, so cheaper glass with solar film or external shutters I guess. Whatever stops the heat getting in, unless forumites have some better ideas before the first spade goes into the ground, as still time to replan ! Here's what it look like now;

Here is my project going up just south of Newmarket. Just under 3000sq ft and is an old hay barn being converted to our new house ! In about 0.7 of an acre. Never done anything like a self build before, but hugely excited and hugely nervous in equal measure ! Yes, lots of glass and all south facing. I guess I'm going to need some serious help from the collective gurus on here please, but I promise I won't become a pest ! Thanks all.