Jilly

Well done, I had no joy calling the big six, have lost days on the phone. I've now written to my MP, Radio 4 and the Ombudsman (who frustrating told me I can't complain about a company which refuses to supply a service).

I looked into this, but aside from not having the space, it seems counterintuitive to be tied to buying a processed, carted wood product.

The Haynes Manual for Period houses is a good read. The worry is interstitial condensation. I think you could safely put a lot more insulation in the loft, up to 400mm so long as you don't block up the eaves vents. Most people advocate just topping up the existing stuff (presumably because pulling out the old stuff will create an almighty mess and have to go into landfill anyway). Chopping PIR in the loft will be quite a dire job, much quicker to just roll out rock wool or whatever in opposite directions.

There is a Passive House veterinary hospital in Ireland which overheats because they hadn't realised how much heat dogs give out. It makes sense of instructions to visitors of old houses: 'If you are cold, put another dog on the bed' ?

Eek you are all making me thing surely £3-4 k on sprinkler/misting vs mid kitchen instead of posh should be a no brainer, but in reality we all have no brains when it comes to small risk vs money...until it's too late.

I get that. Trades keep telling me my ideas won't look good (to them!).

Yes....

They've all refused to take a booking so far..

I just read a post about someone removing theirs as soon at the RHI expired because they were getting older and his wife couldn't maintain the darned thing (shed loads of heavy pellets need hauling) when her husband wasn't able to to it.

It might be best to speak to a planning consultant who knows your local authority as commercial stuff is a bit off our radar.

Only objections to aspects of planning law will be taken into consideration. 'I don't like it/it devalues my house' type things are disregarded. Someone will be along to tell you how they succeeded on appeal. We'll need more detail.

Do they need planning permission to park on the grass? Unless I've missed something? As it's amenity rather than agricultural and not a permanently resurfaced area, I doubt enforcement would bother with it. They're incredibly busy at the moment. Building without planning permission is another thing entirely.

I've got the electricity connection done to a kiosk by UK Power Networks and have my MPAN no. etc, but all the main electricity companies are not installing new meters at the moment and it doesn't seem possible to arrange a meter installation without organising a supplier, or arrange a supply without a meter. I'm going round in circles hanging on the phone and then being fobbed off. Anyone else had this? I wonder if it's because of the gas supply debacle?

Thank you. That looks great

My new driveway has to be SuDS compliant and I have been given some nice grey pavers which would do the job, but I don't think they are permeable. They are to go on a Type 3 Mot sub base, and onto sand and my understanding is that if there are gaps for the water, it would be SuDs compliant. Is this correct and any suggestions as how best to do it please? Thank you

Well done, I'm doing something similar on an old stable

Might be worth getting a second opinion. The first structural engineer advised underpinning, the second said not, if we didn't the ground bearing slab, there was no change in the loading. BC were happy when provided with calculations and at inspection of the existing foundations.

The only way you can have any say for sure on land adjacent to you, which is retained by the seller, is to draw up a covenant when you purchase your property. Without such prenuptials, both you and they, can take their chances with the planners and you can only meaningfully object on specific matters of planning law.

The 'Haynes Manual' for period houses is very useful.

It's quite lightweight!

Maybe try a local trade site?

Live on site somehow, either in a caravan or in part of the house if it's safe. Slow building is cheaper as you can research and wait for people. In my case unforeseen delays meant the rental costs have become a significant factor.

Can we have more detail? Does the boundary make any difference to your build? Ie does the hedge need to come out?

You could put a water butt there and just send the excess into the storm drain?

This will give you an idea, an easy read: The Haynes Home Extension Manual https://haynes.com/en-gb/home-extension-manual-3rd-edition