Jane W

Plot purchased: tick! Topographical survey: tick! Beginning process of deciding architects/architectural technicians/project manager etc: In progress. I was just having a little discussion with a potential project manager about walls. Our plot is tight for the build we ideally want both in terms of space, and available money( the usual thing!). We're building brick and block with full fill dritherm or similar. Thinking about options. I do not want aerated lightweight blocks. Anyone got suggestions for cost and space effective solutions to meeting insulation standards, looking at choice of blocks and insulation combinations? I'd be over the moon if there was a medium density block/dritherm type insulation combination that would make a standard cavity wall width! but guessing there's going to be compromise. I'm also aware that wider cavities also have other cost implications...

Out of interest what are you using instead now, and how do they compare in terms of u values?

I've been using roomsketcher to play around with floorplans for my plot. I've got my land survey plans through and would like to import these into an app to help optimise the floorplans. In roomsketcher I would need a subscription and wondered if anyone knew of a decent floorplan app that does this in the free version please, I've googled and checked out a few but no luck so far....

We've bought our little plot of land (under 2 titles) finally! I've been asked for an address by the solicitor for land registry as the address we've been using is 'to the rear of 125' (another property which previously owned the land but has now got new owners). The plot will be accessed from the road which runs behind the original house and land, and I believe you apply for your new address once you have full planning permission which we don't have(we only have outline planning atm). Here is the email: An address for (Me) is required for entry in the register. The transfer indicates the transferee’s address for service is ‘the property’, however, as both titles being transferred are ‘land’ you must provide us with a postal address. You may also have up to two additional addresses for service, which may be postal, email or a box number at a United Kingdom document exchange Has anybody had anything similar? I'm unsure of what they are asking for and the solicitor just said we need an alternative address when I asked her. Thanks in advance again.

Thanks for drawing attention to that. We have been looking at many options with regard to the layout of the site tbh, thinking about simplifying the design, leaving a bit more space around the boundary, considering where/whether to put a garage or carport within the design and the space for parking/turning too. We've had a while to think on things as we've been looking into the fact that there is a possessory title on a slither of the land to the front of the plot which has been delaying the sale going through.

Thank you everyone who has commented. It makes me think that while there will be extra cost and extra things to consider, it's not necessarily the end of the world and as long as its factored in with some contingency on top, its probably doable. Your responses, as always, have been really helpful.

I'm also interested in learning more about all 3 of those so I'll be following with interest if our land purchase goes through. We don't have full planning but thinking about how we would like our house to be designed/work. An exciting time for you, good luck!

*worse*

Yes, if the plans are too compromised then we'll probably get full planning for whatever we can get and then sell, woree case scenario.

The village saw the worst flooding in years this winter. While the plot is on the opposite end of the village to the flooding the amount of rain we've had must help in this case then.

Would backfilling reduce the stability at all? Would building control be happy at that. Certainly not questioning you, just asking because as with most things atm I have no idea!

Well funny you should mention that. There is only outline planning for a small 1 1/2 storey house on the opposite side of the plot to the carpark. There were no objections made at all during the application. Just going through the contract to sign, searches and other paperwork... solicitor has flagged that there is no covenant consent applied for, so guessing they are waiting to see what is in the full planning and covenant consent application. Maybe off topic but... I do wonder if this flying through outline planning has anything to do with the land being sold by a prominent family in the village including being the lady mayoress a fair few years ago! Our plans are definitely for a bigger house than what appears on the outline plan, still 1 1/2 storey, but 20-30m2 smaller than the plans I shared earlier in this thread.

No we don't. The hopeful drawing allows 50mm in from the boundary which I think may be the minimum, but please let me know if this is incorrect. It is a parish council car park on that side of the plot. The drawing was more for reference although we are hoping to build as far up to that boundary as we can (but without lots of complications!)

I have looked at Google maps and Google earth and it appears that one was felled in 2020, the other one which didn't look healthy, was felled in 2018. As there hasn't been any mention of tree species, am I correct in thinking that this doesn't have any effect or bearing once a tree has been felled?

I have looked at Google maps and Google earth and it appears that one was felled in 2020, the other one which didn't look healthy, was felled in 2018. As there hasn't been any mention of tree species, am I correct in thinking that this doesn't have any effect or bearing once a tree has been felled? Yes good ideas. I think it's always the cost implications, there's always a solution, but how much does each solution through the build add to the cost.

Good to know thanks

Yes good ideas. I think it's always the cost implications, there's always a solution, but how much does each solution through the build add to the cost.

Great idea I'll have a look at maps and earth see what comes up

That would be good. Presumably that would not be a LA BC officer?

@Jilly thanks, I have already found the support, advice and expertise offered here to be amazing and we've not even got around to purchasing the plot yet! I also like those conflicting opinions. It encourages discussion and helps to consider options from different angles and see how different experienced people approach things. All so very helpful for a newbie! The site is tight so I don't think there would be room for a caravan until the shell is up. Its certainly something we would look at if its possible when we're at that stage though. We have reduced the size and some finishes to ensure we have some contingency but it's so worrying when the budget is absolute to know how costs can spiral. I think there may be many sleepless nights ahead!

Thanks, that's good to hear. Hopefully removing a couple closest to where we're hoping to build will be possible.

Thankyou @saveasteading, @Roundtuit and @Conor for your thoughts. Will the species of tree stump make a difference? I thought I should ask what type of trees the stumps were and how long ago they were felled. It is being sold with outline planning, all matters reserved and vague in terms of building detail. The building shown on the application plan is to the right side of the plot, smaller (about half the footprint we would like ideally) and fairly uncontentious. The estimator then drew a plan to estimate from which is scant and overall actually slightly bigger than we are opting for, but the way our planned house will sit on the plot is similar except that the front of the build (the garage in the illustration) will not jut out as close to the front boundary as shown but the lounge will be be extended just over half a meter towards the front, right at the side of the leylandii. I've very 'untechnically' added the trees in green (conifers at the front, plum and holly at the back), and the stumps in orange.

Apologies for the long post....We are almost ready to exchange contracts on a plot of land in a conservation area which has a couple of garages on there(to be demolished). The house we plan to build (approx 150m2 over 2 floors) will fit fairly tightly on the plot allowing for just enough parking space to the front and not much more than a postage stamp sized garden to the rear - but big enough for us! We have a couple of trees (plum and holly) at the back which may mean we need to adapt our foundations according to the labc calculator due to clay soil being highly likely(no soil tests done yet though). At the front there is a row of leylandi and a couple of large tree stumps which I hadn't considered. One of these stumps will be directly where the side wall of the house is planned and I've suddenly thought that they will probably also affect the foundations. Obviously the stumps will need to be removed but then what? What about the roots coming off these stumps...do they also have to be removed and to what depth and radius? How might these affect the foundations. I've had a ballpark estimate done for the build and I've attached a photo of the foundation estimate. I think these did not account for trees or stumps but did assume clay soil. So the thing I'm struggling with are the potential costs of all of this. Is there an easy way to calculate extra costs? I'm thinking that in the costing the allowance is for 1.2m deep trench foundations. Do I just add 50% if we need 1.8m trench or double it for 2.4m, or are there other costs or complications associated with the extra depth eg reinforcement. Could they prevent us removing a Leylandi or two with it being a conservation area and could the stumps prevent us from building what we planned? May be it's just a bit of panic before we take the plunge...

Many years later... it appears we may be in a similar position to the op. How did things turn out with your electricity connection and your complaint?

Not from solar, I was thinking from the heat source so from the boiler or ashp