Mike

No, I very much doubt it - Planning Permission is given or refused according to the rules of the planning system.

You may want to consider adding an external wind sensor, to ensure that the blinds are automatically retracted in high winds, which could otherwise damage them. Yes, it will. However while it can bring in cooler air, it's won't move large volumes of air, so won't be enough to counteract the solar gains - but still useful.

The last time I negotiated a party wall issue (along the lines I suggested) was before the Act came into force. Have just taken a look online and it does indeed seem tricky to change your PWS. In which case my first thoughts would be to send them a stiff letter, ideally from a solicitor, stating that their proposed solution fails to protect the integrity of your land, that they are therefore being negligent in their duties, and that they may wish to amend the proposal or resign their position to avoid the legal action against them. Alternatively, if the alternative suggestion I proposed is of interest, talk to you neigbour and see if they would agree to it; if so, both instruct your PWSs accordingly.

So AIUI it, yes, unless there is some provision in the deeds to the contrary, then building over the boundary would be trespass, and it could lead to a permanent right being acquired over time. If such encroachments was trivial then I imagine that the courts may take a take a dim view of any action you may take, so the time to take action would be now, before building starts. You probably need to employ your own PWS to represent you, in view of the circumstances you've outlined above. However, building close to the boundary with tiny gaps between properties causes access problems for future repair and maintenance, and often looks silly. If that may happen, then a better solution would often be to allow your neighbour to build right on the boundary, in exchange for the right to turn that wall into a party wall at a later date should you (or a future owner) wish to infill against it.

I'd be fairly certain that it could be legally enforced by the successor to the successor to the original Council - i.e. the current Local Authority. Not a situation I've had to deal with, but I imagine you'd have to make a good case to them about why they should discharge it. That could be harder as it was only drawn up in 1983, especially if the reasons for imposing it are still evident and / or likely to still be applicable.

Obviously not, but what's the problem that you're trying to solve?

Another option is to mount individual drivers in a central location, such as your plant room, switching them using regular mains wall switches. But with 18 drivers involved I'd be considering DMX control as suggested by @MikeSharp01.

I'd also go with a pitch roof if you can, provided the flat roof is of no particular architectural merit.

From your description, I'd probably do the same.

There's a meandering but useful thread on a similar topic here:

+1

Delivery by drone through my 6th floor windows would be ideal.

It would have been (I've built a few myself), but these days I suspect you'd do better targeting YouTube / Facebook / Instagram first.

I get the impression that you're not a registered architect? If not you'd need to style yourself as an 'architectural designer' or similar to avoid potential prosecution.

Indeed they're not. To increase services you'd either need to raise taxes further, or cut some existing expenditure / do things more efficiently to free up the cash. For example, from the chart below, restricting the NHS to 1980's drugs & technology should make a big difference (and indirectly bring down the pension bill too). IFS: How have the size and shape of the UK state changed?

And the average UK worker pays much less tax than many of the other leading economies, as below (from the OECD's Taxing Wages 2025 - several other charts are worth a look too). . The taxes here in France are some of the highest (for businesses too), but you notice the difference - the country feels in much better shape than the UK, despite its various problems.

It does seem to be relatively popular in the USA. I'm subscribed to the emails from https://www.hempbuildmag.com/, which has plenty of interesting information, though in practice I rarely have time to read much. But this upcoming book could be useful: https://www.hempbuildmag.com/home/hempsteads-book-architectural-details

I had - a good point!

BTW, did anyone notice the Severn Estuary Commission's recent recommendation that the Government should 'act now' to include tidal range energy in general, and a tidal lagoon in particular, in their policies? https://www.severncommission.co.uk/commission-recommends-uk-government-act-now-to-harness-tidal-energy/

The UKAEA is still exists (though it's now focused on fusion); guessing you meant the breakup of the CEGB (Central Electricity Generating Board)? While that wouldn't have helped, it was after Chernobyl (in 1986, coming 7 years after Three Mile Island in 1979) that most new nuclear power ground to a halt world-wide. Fukushima wasn't much of an encouragement either. If's only the recent focus on electrification that has lead to renewed interest in - or, rather, more successful lobbying by - the nuclear industry.

For active schemes, the Schemes Register (the 2nd link in my post above) lists the 2012 price (everything uses that as the baseline) & the current price. So Hinkley Point C is £89.5 / MWh at 2012 prices, but £127/MWh at current prices - so multiply by 1.42. Which does suggest that they're using CPI, as @SteamyTea suggests.

For those interested, the European Network Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) is setting up an expert panel to investigate that - press release on their website.

It would increase price stability, but may not reduce bills. In last year's CfD auction (Allocation Round 6) the strike price for solar averaged £50.07 MWh and onshore wind £50.90/MWh (both at 2012 values); Hinkley Point C is £89.5 / MWh (also at 2012 values). The first of those links suggests a strike price for new gas of £82.83/MWh (at 2012 prices).

Good idea - Citiz have been growing a network similar to that in France for 20 years, mostly in cities and towns, but in some rural areas too (more, in English, here). While most of their vehicles aren't yet electric (and they don't include the Citroen Ami), they claim that every one of their vehicles removes 8 to 10 privately owned ones. That also means that people increases the number of trips they take by alternative means (e-bikes, public transport, walking, ride-sharing, etc.) so that each Citiz vehicle has the effect of reducing overall CO2 emissions by around 10 tonnes per year. I'm a member myself, so can reserve a vehicle anywhere in France within a couple of minutes from the app. There are also various smaller private sector schemes (Citiz is a network of 14 regional co-ops & public sector operators).

Combustible structural materials need to be 200mm away from the inner face of a masonry chimney flue in order to meet the requirements of Building Regs Part J. You'd therefore have to ensure that it can't be used as a chimney in future to avoid those requirements - for example by permanently blocking it with that padstone & considering how to avoid the potential for elevated moisture levels within the old flue. Provided you've done that, there's no need for further protection for the beam.