mjc55

So we have started clearing our site of at least 20 years of growth, reached parts of it not trodden on for many years. We found an old septic tank on the boundary of the house to the North, it was covered with a very thick concrete block which I managed to move and it looks reasonably solid. May well have been there since the pub (which burned down in the 60's) was on the site. Since then the pub was replaced with a house which was subsequently bought by Salisbury Diocese and turned into vicarage. Our site was split off at that point (about 20 years ago) and a wall was built then between our site and the house. As far as I can tell there is another manhole about a meter or so away on the other side of the fence. I don't know when main drains were brought into the village but foul drains now run around the vicarage (to the North of it) and we will have to install drains into the lane next to our land. My question is regarding what we should do with the septic tank? I suppose we could just leave it but we were thinking of building a separate small "pod" to the West of the septic tank (the house will be to the East and next to the lane where foul drains will be connected. If we were to try and decommission the tank how much of a problem (and cost) could it be. It could be complicated as this could just be an overflow tank from the main septic tank next door! Any advice or experience welcomed.

Have you asked the SE or is that not possible?

Well, certainly seemed to have raised some eyebrows with my post. The fact is that we like to and have slept with open windows in our bedroom for over 40 years, I'm not questioning the air quality of MVHR it's a lifestyle choice. We are lucky enough to have lived in rural areas for nearly 30 years and so air quality has never been questionable. I will, of course, continue questioning the choices to be made when designing our home, that's the point of this forum isn't it? And please, you don't have to go easy on me by using a measured response, I won't get upset, honest.

This is what I am enquiring about! I am new to MVHR and it's associated uses. I need to do more research obviously but it seems that this is a good place to do that. Won't be quite as simple as just opening a window though as we are planning single storey, flat roof and therefore need to probably have some form of rooflight to open. for security reasons.

We too need to answer this question. As the OP we have always slept with bedroom window open and are at the beginning of the design stage of our self-build. I think the 'air quality of MVHR', 'you will get used to it' etc. comments won't wash with us. It's not that the bedroom has to stay cool all day, quite happy with it being a reasonable temp even when we go to bed, it's just that overnight we want openings of some form! We are planning a single storey build so will have to factor this in to the design process. Even though our site is in a small village I'm not sure that leaving the window open will be a possibility (we are currently planning french/sliding doors for our bedroom), so we will need to look at a secondary opening of some sort, maybe an opening rooflight!

I suspect the idea of 3m high rooms will be too much anyway!

Still at very early stage but 1. West facing rear of property 2. Yes, sounds reasonable, obviously fully opening is desirable but cost outweighs desirability unfortunately. 3. Will have a look at pic, thanks.

Wow, not cheap!

Thanks for that. Not at the stage of heatloss etc calcs. really just exploring options.

Looking at the possibility of making most of one wall of the newbuild glass sliders. Would be maybe around 3m tall (floor to ceiling) and up to about 7m length with potential small glass return. A bit vague I know but I'm sure there are some on here that have included something similar on their builds. Is this going to be potentially very, very expensive? Any hints and suggestions welcome.

Hi Hope this hasn't been asked before, couldn't see anything on a quick search! Just bought some land, nothing on it at the moment. We are clearing the site ourselves, it's very, very overgrown, and build will not start until next year. Do I actually need any insurance at the moment? Thanks

Just completed on land, relatively straightforward although vendors solicitors was part of the hack that has hapened in the last week or so. Now the hard work starts! (actully the really hard work will start sometime next year, in the meantime there is a lot of stuff to clear)

Happy that ownership is clear. The title plan is as provided in the auction.

Jut found the "Inspire ID" fr the land so can get Title Plan.

Hi All Just in the process of buying some land to build on. The plot in question has never had any property on it but does have OPP for single dwelling. The boundary to one side is with a rectory, which has been there since the 70's, previously it was a pub. The boundary to this side is odd in that it kicks in about 10 m. or so from the front before angling to the rear of plot, a little like a slice of pie. In the early 2000's (I have found photographic evidence of this via google earth) a fence was constructed (stone base with timber panels on top) that basically cut this slice off from the vicarage. It is completely overgrown to the point where I cannot yet get in to see what is there. Before I approach anyone regarding ownership, and if necessay the purchase of the strip of land, I want to get an idea of the process and potentil pitfalls ahead. In the worst case, if we couldn't buy, it wouldn't affect build process, but it would be advantageous to us if we could utilise the space in the potential positioning of proposed residence. So any poiunters and comments welcome. I wil lin the fullnes of time post some pictures of plot. Thanks Martin

Why 2 years? Planning shouldn't take that long unless it is refused and goes to appeal! Was there something particulally unusual about your application that would mean that it took so long?

I do love the corner sliding doors, a great feat of engineering. Did you consider cost differences between making that corner floating and using a post? I guess the detailing regarding roof construction and insulation were interesting, how did you get away without cold bridging?

Was that a private buy or did you find it on a website?

We are definitely contemplating temporary accommodation, what would you say was "not a lot of money"? I didn't realise that this would need to be included with planning, will look into that.

I do need to follow this up, will be very careful re CIL and starting. Does need a lot of clearing though, full Summers growth of Nettles unfortunately (apart from the opportunity to make nettle tea!)

Yes, timing seems to be the key, lots to organise in the coming weeks and months.

Very early days, lots to think about but I would suspect that oversails would not be cheap and detailing to stop cold bridging important. Strom as in Strom Architects?

I did look at the CIL, self-build should be OK. Thanks

Probably being a numpty here but can't see a PM facilty!

Yes, OPP for house. Will definitely have to submit a full PP application