kandgmitchell

Just check if the planning authority has any "Supplementary Planning Guidance" regarding design of development/extensions etc. These often give quite specific guidance on privacy distances and how they differ for different arrangements of windows etc. I would expect the LPA to at least stick to it's own guidance but then it may not help you of course if it allows shorter distances. I get the feeling that planners only view bungalows as having a relationship to the boundary at ground level and tend to overlook (no pun intended!) the impact from adjacent first floors.

These days it's almost a lottery with building control. My local authority has only 2 officers to cover a huge geographic area so I just can't use them - I'm going private for this project. In other areas such as Hertfordshire and parts of Norfolk local authorities have grouped together to form what are almost private style organisations. They have lost the local touch and in cases it can be rare to get continuity of officer out to site. I'd say unless you have a relationship with a particular private firm then if the LA has it's own officers and is reasonably well staffed then I'd go with them. If you and your area has neither then the best way forward is to ask around on local building sites to see what experience they have. The same process as finding any contractor I suppose. Treat it in the same way.

Of course the Approved Inspector will not be employed by the local authority which employs the planners so that'll be a long corridor....................

Your sketch appears to show the first spindle about half way between the first tread in the flight (Step 2 ) and the second tread (Step 3). If that total rise at that point isn't more than 600mm then it's Ok in E & W, however the NI regs may be different......

Going "deeper" doesn't mean the ridge would automatically be higher - it's a function of span and pitch so turning the direction of span across the narrower width may actually result in a lower ridge. Planners are almost certainly going to want you to respect the nature of the surrounding properties in scale, form and materials but that doesn't mean an exact copy. As to the insurance company the first step I would have thought is to ask about the potential for "betterment" if you contribute the balance. The conversation has to start somewhere......

Well, when there's a vertical load the rule of thumb difference in height allowable is 4 x thickness of wall - 750mm would suggest 187.5mm. However, this is a pure retianing wall with no vertical load, only a horizontal one, however unless a really heavy truck was to be parked alongside the wall I would have thought a total of 100mm block plus 150mm stone = 250mm would do. If you wanted more certainty without involving a structural engineer then how about a strip of horizontal mesh in the foundation with vertical bars at intervals. Make the vertical rods L shaped and wire the "foot" to the mesh. When set, use 225mm hollow concrete blocks with the vertical rods threaded up the voids and backfill the voids with concrete. Face with stone. I can't see that being pushed over easily.

As soon as I pressed that reply button I thought - I've seen that ..................

I'm with ProDave here. The foundation depth here needs to go deep enough to avoid frost action in the clay (if any trees are ignored - and this is only a garden wall). 0.5m -0.6m should be plenty for that. Of more importance is the overturning effect on the retaining wall caused by the loads on the upper side. What's the difference in height between levels?

I expected to install suitable ducting anyway as it may be used one day. I strongly suspected that no gigabit ready infrastructure would be available anywhere near here for a sensible price. I just want to have my evidence to hand when the matter is raised by building control. I'll give virgin a go, many thanks.

I'd second that. If the chimney was complete then the upper parts could suffer condensation as the weather patterns changed. Venting the flue would help to remove moisture laden air. If it is now entirely within the heated part of the house and you are only looking to stop the warm air leaking into the roof void above the insulation then cover the redundant flue with insulation (preferably with a ply panel to stop someone accidently stepping through it!).

In order to claim the exemption from Part R - gigabit ready infrastructure, we need two quotes showing we exceed the cost cap (£2K). As mentioned above, Openreach has quoted £9700 odd. Has anyone any suggestions for a second provider I can approach?

ETC's right - guarding shouldn't be easily climable by children let alone have gaps of more than 100mm.

Just be aware that the planning approval for the house (albeit as part of approval for the whole site) may require the garage be kept for the parking of a car so as to meet the local parking standards. However, is anyone going to find out? Unless a nosey neighbour dobs you in then I would just do it. Regs wise who says your can't insulate your garage to make the car more comfortable. If it's not used for sleeping then no one really is going to be bothered even if and it's a big if, it ever comes to light. Worst case scenario remove the partition. Ultimately it may raise an issue when you come to sell, but being a new house that's likely to be a while off!

We moved out of our previous house to fund this build. I was keen therefore to create a "permanent" address for bank accounts, credit cards, etc etc in order to remain a real person in this increasingly digital world. The plot has a registered postal address and the Council refer to it as "Caravan at........." in their records.

I had a similar experience a few years ago. We had a small cottage standing in a large plot in rural Norfolk with no immediate neighbours. We submitted a planning application for a large two storey extension on the side. Back came the request to step the front wall back 500mm and reduce the width to reduce impact (?). Upon querying this we got back "this is our standard advice for two story side extensions" . Well on one of their urban estates perhaps but in the middle of no-where? I had to quietly find out the team leader's details and discuss it with her without actually complaining about the case officer. The scheme was approved as submitted. It can be done, although I have to say the current state of planning departments is the source of a lot of this nonsense now.

We didn't ask, just put the static on site. I'm going to use Part 4 Class A permitted development rights if challenged: Permitted development A. The provision on land of buildings, moveable structures, works, plant or machinery required temporarily in connection with and for the duration of operations being or to be carried out on, in, under or over that land or on land adjoining that land. My wife and I are supervising the works (as well as doing some jobs as well) and providing security to the site. We have registered for council tax over the phone and the Council has supplied refuse bins. The actual banding has yet to be assessed by the District Valuer (4-5 months) but we've elected to pay Class A council tax just so there's no lump sum due when it's no doubt backdated.

Well I've got an appeal against the refusal of a lawful development certificate that had a start date of 14th November 2022. All the various written reps were back by the deadline in February 2023. We are now waiting for an Inspector's visit some 7 months on. Requests for an update are met with a standard "we will be in touch" response. A tad more than 27 weeks then........

Well I've just been through the Openreach developers portal application system. It's not exactly the easiest application I've done. However, it's just churned out a quote for £9710.00 so I think that's a thanks but no thanks. The static now has a 4G router with a £24/month unlimited no contract sim card in it. All our stuff including the smart TV seems to work fine so I may transfer that when the house is finished.

Well I can update now as we are in the static with all services connected. The British Gas guy turned up exactly on time as agreed with a brand new 3 phase meter and was done and dusted in half an hour. Our electrician returned later that day and heh ho we were up and running!

That'll be all we need! Just have to hope. Octopus quoted 8 weeks for a meter.........

Just to be clear, up to 30m2 internal floor area and more than 1.0m from the boundary then the building is exempt building reg control so you choose how to insulate it. Two separate 30m2 buildings placed close but not touching could therefore save you a lot. Over 30m2 and under 50m2 the building regulations apply (foundations, damp proofing etc) but not the "energy efficiency requirements" so you choose the insulation. Beyond that you need to comply with everything and the regulations set the standards even if you are not sleeping in it.

Hurrah! British Gas finally did get back to us. Apart from needing our full bank details there and then whilst we were out away from home, they were actually helpful. New meter goes in a week after Northern Power Networks installs the supply so bearable. Lot's of games of scrabble by gas light!

Why on earth don't DNO's just fit the meter and let you choose the supplier? Spent ages on the phone to British Gas (who Northern suggested as speediest) last week. They tell you the new connections team will call back within 48 hours. They don't of course so spent more time this morning going round in circles " you don't have a customer number...." how do we get a customer number? "you need a meter to get a customer number... our new connections team will ring you in 48 hours" - well they haven't so far. "Ah if they don't a second time you can lodge a complaint..." Can we speak direct to them? "No I have to forward an online form, they do not take calls..." Give me strength!

Have some of these as fall back. Has anyone had experience of the best supplier for getting a meter installed....

Hi, Moving into the static in a weeks time. The electricity supply to the site has been delayed due to various reasons but have now just finally got a date for Northern Power Networks to put the cable and head in (on the day before we arrive).We now need a meter PDQ, still waiting for British Gas new connections team to phone us back, Eon says 4 to six weeks and Octopus can't understand why we don't have a customer number........ Any thoughts out there - it's going to be hard times with no leccy!!