New to this

Thank you for this - how can I tell whether it's classed as extension or reinforcement, as clearly it's better for me if it comes under the latter ... should I be asking them to increase supply provision to my existing home here perhaps (as new build is in garden)?

Tearing my hair out; in Jan 24 several months after submitting our application, we were told by our DNO that we could have our new connection and a quote & proposal offered at about £12K for the work. Fast forward a few weeks, we went back to ask them to look again for an alternative route as that first one wouldn't work, too close to the main roots of a 300-400 year old Oak in the boundary line. They've now come back and said they think the first quote was incorrect, that the line won't cope with our new connection and they've referred it up to the detailed or senior design team. This despite my explaining - again - that we are building a passivhaus with a tiny heat load requirement, no ASHP etc etc all the ground I covered with them the first time around. The inference on the phone today is that we could be looking at upwards of £100K to upgrade the line - we're on the lowest power and the transformer is very small currently. I'm heartbroken; not only have we spent several thousands (tens of) since they gave an affordable quote on surveys and fees, but this feels like The Dream going up in smoke. I now have to wait another 4-6 weeks for a decision. I've logged a complaint on the basis two people worked on the quote last year and accepted the load, now one chap has reviewed it and says 'no'. Appreciate there's probably nothing I can do but has anyone got any ideas of what else I could try / who else I could talk to etc please?

Hello, first timer here, hoping to self build a 2 storey upside down house with a balcony along most of two sides of the building, plus a large 4m2 'platform' to one corner. At the stage of architect design, hoping to sign off in the next three weeks on the high level design but anxious about the cost of my huge extravagance. I've tried to work out who to open a conversation with to get some idea of the possible costs and complexities involved. Do I 'just' need a local steel fabricator? I'd like steel posts from ground to first floor level to support it, a steel 'bed' to set the floor into and glass panels all around ... and a stair case to the garden. South Somerset area, if anyone can recommend a contact? Thanks v much

Yes the NSBRC has clay blocks, JUWO is the brand. As others have said, been used on the continent for decades and I’m told over here, many Lidl stores built with these. I haven’t heard of them being used for retaining walls though (I am a simple wanna-be self builder though, so that carries no weight!); if the NSBRC is within your reach, go along and speak with one of their experienced members of staff/owners, they will try to help you.