mjc55

"Sorry, this page no longer exists" for that link! There are a number of options if you just search for safety glasses on toolstation.

Interesting. I might try this approach with our local BC.

Can you elucidate on what issues you had with SIPS. Could help others who are thinking of using this method.

So received our CIL payment acknowledgement today, we are ready to break ground. This subject has come up numerous times on here and there are tales of those caught out by the totally nonsense rules around starting dates. Is it time maybe, as a group that is primarily concerned with all issues around self-build, that we start a campaign around the start date issue. Why is it so important to have everything in place for CIL before anything starts, there is no common sense to this, it seems purely a way of catching out unwary folk. It's not as if you can hide the fact that you are building, it's in plain sight, there are lots of things that flag up the fact that a build is to take place. Thoughts?

Was watching an old GD (The Street) last night and the couple used cork insulation under the floor. They were building on a budget the assumption would be that it wouldn't be mega expensive! Just had a look to see prices and the first site I saw selling cork insulation was getting on for £100 per sq. m. (this was for 3 pieces at 300 x 500 x 1000). I would assume that price would come down a lot for bulk buying. Compare to £16 per sheet of celotex (2400 x 1200 x 50) - so around £5.55 per sq. m. - then the prices just don't compare. I haven't looked anywhere else so those prices may well be outliers, but it would still seem that cork is way, way more (too) expensive. Have things changed since 2017 (when the GD was filmed) or were they just so keen on "eco" insulation that they weren't concerned re the prices?

Yes, will do that in the next few days.

After what seems like an age (but is not compared to others on here) we have at last are formal planning approval! We had quite journey, some of which is detailed here. We were told by our planning consultant just before Christmas that it would be approved by the 10th but of course until it actually states "Application Approved" on the portal then of course nothing is guaranteed. We were on site today cutting the overgrown boundary to the rear when I got the call to say that it had been approved. So, just a bit to do over the next year or so! Onwards and Upwards.

Fantastic news, you must be so relieved.

I know it is a personal thing but I really don't get this "windows and doors closed" idea. We have slept with our bedroom window open, whatever the weather for close to 40 years and do not wish to change this. I have heard the argument that with MVHR the air is fresh so why open the window but it doesn't compute with me. We went to see someone last year who had built a 'passive house' (although I don't think it was certified) and they did make a big fuss about keeping windows and doors closed, to the extent that we had to more or less creep in. They have no UFH and when we stayed for a few days early last year the ambient temperature was great. It still felt a little stuffy in the bedroom though. We fully intend for our house to be as passive as possible but still intend to install UFH.

I wonder if there is any way of working out how much ballast is required?

Anyone on here used trays to locate their solar panels on flat green roof? I have an acquaintance who used this method for their roof, seemingly successfully but would like to hear others experience. The pros are obviously the lack of penetration into the roof membrane for fixing points but what are the downsides. What comes to mind is performance in strong winds given the lack of fixings. Cheers

Our build will start this year and starting to think about power and lighting. Potentially might look at a lighting consultant but at this point just trying to think through what we might require. We are likely to have a kitchen island (will be lounge/kitchen/diner in one large room) and am quite sanguine about power running under floor for this in current thinking to a hob (but potentially could switch this to sink. We are planning on Quooker type tap so would need power in this case anyway. In the "lounge" area we are thinking one or two large sofa's and would want some form of standard lamp for localised lighting but obviously don't want cables running from wall sockets. The floor will be solid and currently looking at limestone flooring - so very permanent - Is it simply a case of having to be quite specific about where floor socket(s) will be and planning accordingly? TIA

Not an expert but would probably help to take photos from the outside.

Why is the lead under the tiles? It should be dressed over the tiles (unless I am missing something!) Any rain will run under the tiles and eventually find its way inside!

Liquid roof covering ???? Tell us more?

Depending on what work is required you will need to go through the planning and Building Regs process. Planning would probably come between points 1 & 2 (unless you need to work out if you can afford it in the first place - in which case planning comes after point 4) BR process would come after planning approval.

We need to look into this as I don't particularly want to put a stack through the roof. I had thought of AAV's on our en-suite and the bathroom. We will have a separate "pod" that will have toilet in, approx 20-30m from main house. Will be on same foul drain - different branch (which will be all on our land - no other connections) as main house. Will this suffice I wonder?

Resurrecting this thread. Just going through the process for quotes from Electricity (Scottish & Southern) and water (Wessex Water). The road (Lane) outside our plot is relatively narrow but is definitely two way (around 6m ish) so enough room, I think, for temporary traffic lights. We are,however, very rural and plenty of large tractors pass directly along lane. I don't know if this will be an issue or not. I will talk to farmer when I know more. I am interested in your statement re ducting. The quote from S&S specifically states that in the road that "cable to be laid in open trench, no ducting". I'm wondering if this is a S&S condition. It would certainly preclude laying ducting if we got water connection initially. We also have a ditch running along the front of the property, I am going to get some levels as soon as I can but it might mean that electricity supply might need to be a tad deeper. The S&S quote includes a total of £4985 (of £8370 - so about 60% of costs) for crossing the road. The WW quote is a total of £5840 but doesn't break down costs so don't know what percentage of this is for digging a trench etc. They also state that the cost includes a "council road closure" at a cost of £2056. (i.e. not traffic ights). I did meet a WW person on site earlier this year so they have seen road situation, S&S has not been on site (as far as I am aware). I will try and organise for both to happen at same time to save costs, how realistic this is questionable. The WW person that I met said that "Dorset council don't allow this" not sure that makes sense to be honest. Anyone else in Dorset been through this and can relate their story? Thanks as usual.

It's strange reading this thread, it both chimes and doesn't with my experience. That maybe the difference between applications for extensions and those for new builds. It makes me think that maybe these two processes could/should be separated! After all they are very different sides of the same coin. I spent 10 years or so working as an AT in Wiltshire putting in lots of applications for extensions to houses, I never once had an application rejected and can't remember many taking more than the statutory 8 weeks to go through the process. I am now going through the application process to build a new house for ourselves, in Dorset, and it is a world away from my previous experience with planning departments. It has taken weeks longer than the 8 it should, the PO hadn't even looked at the application until we sent a strong worded email to his supervisor, and once this had been done he passed the application. As regards corruption in the planning process, I am sure it goes on, as it does in all walks of life, can't see that there is much that can be done about this though.

So pleased for you, it must have been such a worry while you were trying to sort out. Fair play to the CIL department as well, the stuff that I read on here seems to indicate that they are a fairly unforgiving bunce.

Exactly, I think this has been clear in what you originally posted, unfortunately others seem to have not read the thread and therefore answered something that has not been asked!

I think it is rather naive of anyone thinking that this is anything other than the builder not declaring to save money. At least given what the original poster said.

you would be correct in your assumption! He pays £1200 but gets £200 back from revenue - cost £1000 You give him £1200 £200 profit to him.

Thanks @Alan Ambrose understand where you are coming from but as @SBMS says, I think that the gist of it is that the planning officer has discussed with his superior does suggest that this should be OK. I will, of course await the official approval before being 100% convinced.

Would second @joe90 view to be honest. I worked as a AT for about 10 years or so in Wiltshire, all relatively minor stuff I admit, and not once did I think that decisions were made other than on merit. Obviously there were times when some negotiation was required and odd times when officers thought processes could be questioned. I actually put that down to overwork to be honest most of the time. Now, obviously there is a world of difference between an application to extend and one for a housing estate, and obviously a lot more money involved in the latter. In those instances it is difficult to comment to be honest other than to say that are obviously bad-apples in all walks of life and I am sure planning is not immune to this.