Furnace

Thanks Mike. All excellent points.

In order to avoid endless tail chasing when seeking quotes, I'm keen to present all the information required so quotes can be fairly compared. Having read the sticky, I've put together the 2 attached docs. window_schedule_plans.pdfwindow_schedule.pdf I also need to add: Gas filled Any coatings Glazing build-up (e.g. 4-16-4-16-4) Aluclad, aluminium or wood. Inward/outward/tilt'n'turn Delivery and installation Number of compression seals (particularly on the weather side of the locking mechanism) I'm inclined to go Aluclad, but have not particular view on the other choices. I've only encountered inward/tilty jobs when in Europe and have no experience of 'living' with them. As an aside, I'm curious about some windows that don't have a compression seal on the weather side of the locking mechanism. This seems a bit daft to me? All suggestions most welcome.

It's far better to avoid getting into the hole in the first place. Engage with the ecologist prior to instructing them, even if they have been recommended Discuss the potential issues with the site and how they suggest they could be mitigated. Probe for pragmatism and be aware of sticklers for rules. Do all this before instructing them. However, if mitigation is required, push back on unrealistic/unreasonable proposals of impact. My first attempts at push back were rejected by NE. It took a formal complaint before NE gave any ground at all, and then they moved all the way to my original position. My communication with the complaints department, and with the NE site assessor were always polite and non-aggressive. This approach was effective, and made me feel I had behaved decently. I'd be very happy to help anyone who finds themselves in a similar position.

Probably. But they would have charged me for doing it, and may not have been as persistent. I'm so often disappointed with 'professional ' service providers. I really hope that someone else in my situation chances upon this thread and it can be of help.

Another edge of your seat update..... I pushed back even further... Thanks so much for your message and for discussing the matter internally - I really appreciate the flexible approach. I'd like to push back a little on the proposed methodology since it does have a material impact on the cost. Below is the boundary of the groundworks area shown in red (previously submitted as DLL_works.kml, attached) showing a 250m zone centred on the south-eastern corner. This zone excludes the two ponds to the west, and includes only the six ponds detailed in KB Ecology's report. I believe in this rural instance it is appropriate to consider only the 'works area', since the broader 'site area' is to be untouched. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. ...and received this reply After further discussion we have decided that in this instance we are happy to use the groundworks under the understanding that the wider site area will be untouched. It’s important to highlight that a GCN licence under DLL will only cover works within the groundworks area and any works outside of this will be at your own risk and not covered by the licence. I shall draft a new IACPC & issue it formally shortly, this will include a reference to the above along with an updated Output map for the groundworks area. That reduces the Compensation Payment from £3,305.28 to £908.98 I'll call it a day at that.

Yup, I won't be doing anything until the application is determined. The demo chap confirmed that he is happy to zero rate the invoice as along as he has a copy of the planning permission.

I just found these: https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/vat/7572b7b5-e2dc-ec11-b5cf-00155d9c7b3a And demolition is specifically mentioned in the guidance notes for HMRC 708: Looks quite hopeful that the demolition would be zero-rated. I'll need to discuss with the demo company.

It's only the 2 barns nearest the camera, but I'll add 20% on to the area to allow for sheet overlap. Dunno about the VAT. Are demolition and ground works zero VAT for new-build? It's possible I could reclaim it through the farm accounts, as I'll be putting a new building up elsewhere, but I always err on the side of caution with this sort of thing. Thoughts?

Easyjet will confirm that I'm not known for giving up. 6 months of empty promises, 'lost' receipts and compensation forms, poor arithmetic etc. finally yielded a payment. I'm sure most (less irritating) people would have given up. I regard these small successes as (limited) evidence that the soul-destroying big machines of bureaucracy can sometimes be slowed, if not defeated. Vive la révolution

I've made it clear, and the written quotation confirms, the requirement for a pukka consignment note

I'm all for recycling and reusing. If it saves money too, that's a bonus.

First set of quotes are in and (rarely for this locale) don't appear to be outrageous. To remove and dispose of 400m2 of asbestos sheeting, including scissor lift hire: £5,375 + VAT (Online quote from photos and dimensions I provided). To demolish and crush (leaving crushed concrete on site) concrete posts , rafters, lintels and some concrete blocks. Rebar removed from site: £7,950+ VAT I've got another firm visiting to quote tomorrow.

Well well..... Following internal discussions we have agreed that we can exclude the access track from your impact assessment and issue an amended provisional IACPC based off the RLB for the site up until around where the track begins (see below). This would be a non-standard approach as would mean that your licence would not cover any effects your development may have on the track e.g. widening, etc. I believe this would result in there being 8 ponds within the 250m buffer instead of 14 and would bring costs to around £1,800. If this is agreeable for you please let us know and we shall issue you with a new certificate. Kind regards, A rare glimmer of hope in the self-builder's gloom.

Prices now back to pre-Russian Special Military Operation levels

My Trianco Redfyre is at least 35 yrs old and just keeps going. I have it serviced regularly (every 5yrs) and the chap always says it's fine. They don't make 'em like that no more. I'm praying it will survive until I move in a year or so.🙏

That's my preferred option too, but it'll depend on whether the new build application is successful. The Class Q is a good design although will be more aggro to build and not as efficient as a home. The only steel will be the rebar from the concrete frame. 90% of the sheeting is asbestos cement and needs to be disposed of safely.

I've got permission to convert it, but a new build is a better option IMHO. You can have it. I'd pay you to take it away.😉

I even got it in writing.... I'm happy to share any info you might find useful.

Brief update. Received confirmation from Sevenoaks Building Control that PHPP is acceptable as an alternative to Part O Planning application for the new build (using the approved Class Q as fallback) was lodged with the LPA today. It feels like progress.

I really don't know how much it'll be. I think it's quite possible that a pukka no hassle job could well be £40k, but a DIY job with my neighbouring farmer, and a telehandler could be less than half that. I got an Asbestos 'removal disposal only' quote for about £16/m2. There's about 400m2 of sheeting...

The carport/garage will be well above the existing slab, so that can stay but most of the rest is where garden is proposed so will be broken and reused elsewhere. I've got two companies visiting on Wednesday to give quotes. 👍

It depends on final levels, but the existing slab is only present in the blue bordered area so will only be beneath the garage, not the main gaff. Realistically, I think most of it will be broken up.

Overlapping the existing footprint Depending on levels I'm thinking there will be need for hardcore, and clean hardcore from the crushing would be better than bought-in stuff.

The barn was apparently second hand when it was erected here (before my time) and therefore already has shorter legs and may be useless to anyone. I will be erecting a smaller agricultural building elsewhere on the farm, but not sure even I can be arsed to mess about with reusing it. A steel frame or pole barn may be less aggro. It sounds like the recommended route is to get quotes from an 'all-in' demolition/dismantling company that can firstly deal with the asbestos, then depending on whether hardcore is needed either : demolish the frame and remove from site, or demolish, crush and remove rebar from site leaving a big pile of clean hardcore. Any recommendations of demolition companies in Kent? Sadly, my 3 tonne digger won't be up to the job 😞

I was fantasising about one of these on site to deal with each component...