Mike

Yes, would make a small difference and I've installed one myself (though it's unlikely to be operational this summer). However I've only done that because it was the only practical method - no chance to chill the UFCH or add aircon in my case; if I could have done either, I would have. +1. Mount it on the ceiling if necessary (using a suitable unit).

Your architect may offer a site monitoring service, though probably not at the level of checking all the work in detail. For that, on large contracts, a Clerk of Works would traditionally have been employed; there are still some around (I hear that the numbers are growing again) and you might find one who would provide a visiting service. But, as indicated above, most people tend to rely on their contractor.

There is no significant benefit from omitting heating under the cupboards. The floor beneath will heat up anyway (it's in contact with the rest of the floor) and the cupboards will heat up too (they're in contact with the rest of the room). Omitting the pipe just means that it may take them an extra hour or three to reach a stable temperature. Just put any temperature-sensitive foods in the fridge.

Bit black and white, likely to be a mix not straight to hydrogen. AIUI it would be 'easy' to get to a 20% blend, for an estimated 33%* increase in wholesale cost, but that only cuts domestic CO² generation by 7%*, which is totally inadequate. The above CCC report targets a a 33% reduction in residential emissions by 2035 and 66% by 2040 (from 2023 levels). *subject to UK variation - these are estimates for the whole EU from '12 Insights on Hydrogen', Gniewomir Flis & Matthias Deutsch for Agora Energiewende (page 22). An interesting read.

No. At the moment., but: 1 - As more renewables come on stream & the UK gets more connected with Europe, the electricity price will tend to fall. 2 - As people quit gas the standing charge will rise - it's already happening here in France where heat pumps are already much more common than the UK. 3 - The latest Climate Change Committee report calls for the removal of levies from electricity bills (and onto gas) to make electricity cheaper, which would accelerate item 2, if/when it happens. Because: 1. Higher standing charges are on the way - see above. 2. The cost of upgrading the gas grid to take hydrogen will be huge. Pipe pressures will have to be increased to compensate for the difference in molecular weight, needing new pumps, and appliances and network equipment have to be upgraded to stop the smaller hydrogen molecules escaping. Replacing methane with hydrogen is either wishful thinking by the gas & boiler industries or, being more cynical, a deliberate ploy by them to hamper Government decision-making, prolong the use of natural gas and delay electrification.

Acetone works for me.

The cause has not yet been identified. You'll have to wait for the ENTSO-E report for that, which may take a few months.

And another link: https://passivehouseplus.co.uk/magazine/insight/radon-in-passive-houses , where MVHR is the key factor, not being a PassivHaus

There are official UK & International PassivHaus Open Days too. There's a UK one coming up from 27 - 29 June, though I can't spot any detail yet - https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/events.php

That does look a little flimsy! It's a few years ago now, but I remember seeing timber scaffolding, looking rather more robust, in Switzerland. And, I think, in the French Alps too. I wonder who had the idea of using water pipes instead of timber, and when?

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?