Caroline

Happy Easter! Our planning came through and there are a couple of renewable conditions: 1. That our ASHP has to be <35 dB (we want a Steibel Eltron), don't think it is that quiet, even though our nearest neighbour is 100m away, we are in a field! 2. They say we have not clarified that such measures will achieve the 10% reduction in CO2 as required by Policy CSP14. We are having ASHP/13kw of PVs to a newbuild bungalow. They go on to say: The utilisation of such renewable energy technologies is likely to be able to achieve the required 10% reduction however has not demonstrated at this time. These details will therefore be secured by way of condition Will our Pre-SAP report demonstrate the 10% reduction? Any advice (always helpful on this forum) will be gratefully received.

They originally told me to complete a form 6 commencement of works CIL form and also a Self Build form 7 part 1. I have looked on the government website and it says self builders who plan to live in property for at least 3 years are exempt. I have sent this to the CIL dept asking why they want details about offsetting floorspace etc We didn't know anything about offsetting the new residential area with barn (which is labelled on the planning application as Storeage Unit, not agricultural). I think you are right, they are confused, but odd as they told me (and I have it in an email from them) what the process was and what forms to complete and submit and I have followed their guidance.

We are self builders and have obtained permission to knock down a storage barn and build a new bungalow. I completed the relevant forms, the LA received CIL form 2. I just sent them form 6 (commencement) and 7 part 1 (self build) and they have come back with this, which I don't understand. Can anyone throw light on it. BTW the barn is 326 m2 the new build is 288 m2. "I am writing to you regarding planning application 2025/143, if you wish to offset existing floorspace we would require evidence of lawful use, please see the below: Demonstrating buildings in continuous lawful use Regulation 40 of The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 allows for existing floor space which has been in continuous lawful use for at least six months within the three year period preceding development being permitted can be used as deductible floor area in the calculation of the CIL liability. The applicant must provide evidence to demonstrate the continuous lawful use. This can include the combination of the following: • Copies of leases. • Electricity/gas bills for the 6 month period. • Where an informal arrangement exists redacted bank statements to show rent/rates have been paid. • Confirmation from a letting agent/solicitor advising of the period of occupancy. • An affidavit. • Photographs. We will need further evidence of continuous use if it is not evident from the information supplied. We will not consider the existing floor space as deductible floor space, unless the applicant demonstrates this. We have a duty to issue the liability notice as soon as is practicable so if we do not hear from you by the 21 April 2025, we will issue the notice based on our calculations." All comments are appreciated.

Thank you. We didn't realise the lavender hedge and trees were outside the red line, we are happy to bring them in. No fencing as we look out onto a 38 acre field with sheep. We will be having entrance gates though. I was just wondering how much detail is included in a typical Landscape plan. Hopefully we will have some money left at the end to get one. We have also be asked for Contamination Phase 2 report which costs a lot, so the contingency is reducing even before ground is broken!

Sorry planner said this in his report: The submitted landscaping scheme does not propose sufficient landscaping within the application site itself and does not provide sufficient details with regards to the specification for planting. The landscaping scheme submitted at present is therefore not considered to be acceptable.

Hi all Whoopie, just had our planning application accepted. However, 12 conditions, one of them is this (although I sent a landscaping plan, they want more): "Prior to the first occupation of the building full details of both hard and soft landscape works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and these works shall be carried out as approved. These details shall include: • proposed finished levels or contours (notwithstanding that shown on HP001, HP004 & HP005) • means of enclosure • soft landscaping • car parking layouts • hard surfacing materials Details of soft landscape works shall include all proposed and retained trees, hedges and shrubs; ground preparation, planting specifications and ongoing maintenance, together with details of areas to be grass seeded or turfed. Planting schedules shall include details of species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/densities. All new planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the completion or occupation of any part of the development (whichever is the sooner) or otherwise in accordance with a programme to be agreed. Any trees or plants (including those retained as part of the development) which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or, in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation. The hard landscape works shall be carried out prior to the occupation of the development. Reason: To maintain and enhance the visual amenities of the development in accordance with Policy CSP18 of the Tandridge District Core Strategy 2008 and Policy DP7 of the Tandridge Local Plan: Part 2 – Detailed Policies 2014." The HPO1, 4 and 5 (site plans etc) they don't refer to the landscaping plan I sent HP9 (see attached). Does anyone have any images of their approved landscaping plan? Do you think mine is inadequate? Any advice appreciated. By the way a bit shout out to Houseplans Direct, did an amazing job, so much cheaper than our previous architect and would highly recommend them, say Caroline recommended you. HPD09 - Proposed Landscaping Plan (1).pdf

Thank you all. I asked an insulation company today and they suggested: "To achieve the same thermal performance you would need 90mm cavity and a 160mm floor, Celotex can provide you with 85mm or 100mm cavity 150mm or 165mm floor" This would be far cheaper for us and they are saying would achieve the same thermal performance as the Kingspan. I guess we might need to make cavity slightly bigger to keep the same void as currently on the plans.

75mm of insulation in the cavity with a 50mm clear cavity between brick and block.

Woolbatts/Pumped beads, not heard of these. Can you recommend a manufacturer and who could install. Thank you

What would you recommend in place of PIR boards? Also, what to insulation floor with?

Hi everyone Our building control drawings are showing the above insulation for our newbuild. The price of this Kooltherm is really high, however, all comparables seem to be coming out at 0.022 W/mK, so slightly less efficient. Does anyone know of any alternatives which produce 0.019 W/mk or any advice if current building regs require this. All advice gratefully received.

Thank you everyone

Hello We are building a bungalow 200sqm traditional brick/block. Our guy has suggested a 7KW Stiebel-Eltron WPL-A Premium ASHP, 13kw PV array and Solaredge battery. Heat loss calcs coming out at 4741 w power and 16365 kw energy. I queried the size of ASHP wondering if it is powerful enough. Also I believe the PVs are made in China, does anyone have any they could recommend made in UK or europe? Battery, Solaredge, any advice, are they any good. All of this with the UFH is coming out at £44.5k excluding the BUS grant. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

We are in the South East. We want to go to someone who will supply and fit.

I have heard good things about Greencoat but it is the same price as alumin and not much less than zinc.

Wow, a bargain. We have approx 320sqm and have been quoted £54k for Alum/Greencoat and £2.5k more for Zinc, this does include guttering and downpipe in same material. There are no veluxes in the roof the only opening is for log burner flue and the roof is similar to yours oblong 28m x 10m with an apex on one side. Does your installer work nationwide in the UK?

Looks great. We are in the South East, did you go for this material due to being in Scotland, harsher weather. Would be interested to know why you chose this material please?

Hi all I am going to have a seamed roof, thinking of Alum/Greencoat or Zinc, not much difference in price, zinc (around 5% more expensive than the other two). Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

Good evening. We are soon to start our bungalow build. The design has a apex window feature. I wondered if anyone can recommend a company to go to for supply and design of roof trusses and would they include the apex in the truss design? See below an image of the roof externally. It is simple, will be steel or zinc covered seamed roof. Thank you all in advance. You are so helpful on this forum.

Yes they are shallower, going from 2.2m to 1.5m then to 1m. They were removed around a year ago, this is from the report: There are a number of trees along the southern side of the barn which whilst not very large do have an effect on the foundation depth required. For example the Wych Elms (assuming they are removed*) require a foundation depth of 2.2m there is an oak tree to on the opposite side of the track this requires a foundation depth of 1.75m. *as a tree grows it removes moisture from the soil as it does so it shrinks, when a tree is removed the soil will expand as it returns to its natural moisture content. Both Wych Elms and Oak have high water demand so have a significant impact on foundation depth.

Thank you everyone. Your comments are invaluable and I suppose I was just doubting myself. We live on site and will be managing the sub-contractors on a day to day basis, so will take on role of Principal Contractor, or not as we are self builders. Building control has been passed and ironically our building control officer (private company) is the same person who did our BC on our last project. We had our structural engineer's drawings double checked by a second SE as we had queries on original, there is underpinning to existing steels involved and very deep 2.2m foundations on one part due to trees that were removed 15m away! Anyway, wish us luck and hoping to be done in 12 months

The architect says: "as you are probably aware recent changes to the Building Regulations require you as the client to appoint both a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor for the project (see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/design-and-building-work-meeting-building-requirements#domestic-clients-duties for further information in this regard). Whilst we have been acting in the role of Principal Designer for the purposes of planning, managing, monitoring and co-ordinating matters related to the detailed design (RIBA Stage 4) phase of this project, we will not be involved in the construction phase and therefore cannot continue in this role." This project is our third, we previously dealt with all the CDM requirements e.g. H&S/sub-contractors welfare facilities etc. I wasn't aware there had been recent changes. Can we, as self builders and the client, also be the principal designer/contractor? We propose sub-contracting out all of the building work. Thank you.

We are about to start another self build journey. The last being completed 6 years ago. I need to provide something to our sub-contractors (a contract and schedule of works etc). Are there any free templates around? Any other tips. I recall previously having to get involved in H&S, signage etc Thank you.

Hi Dave Thanks for your post. The fault code is P8. I believe the water is set at 50 deg. Because I am working from home today when the system shuts off (which is very regularly) the water is between 42-48 deg, depending how quickly I find the fault flashing. Kind regards

Hi Mike The ASHP and Immersion should be running to provide our under floor heating (our only source of heating) and the immersion which runs off the ASHP for hot water. Kind regards Caroline