Jilly

Not sure if it's helpful, but on my conversion, the architect's technician did the drawings with min regs to pass (conversions have lots of compromises) and he was hung up on that. Every time I asked for more insulation or some green ideas, his research was on the clock! In the end I gave up just to get the BC plans passed and am now trying to increase the insulation as we go.

I'm not sure it helped that they wouldn't work together properly. I didn't realise it would be a 'thing'.

In my case , the architect did the drawings for planning permission (elevations, floor plan, site plans etc) that cost a few £k, the after we got permission, I had Building Control drawings done by an architectural technician (ie build specification, apparently these vary in detail, depending on what you want) and these drawings were sent to the SE. The software is CAD and if the architects appoints the SE and they work together they usually are happy to share them. I chose a different SE and there was one sniffy moment where the architect didn't want to, which annoyed me ...

Gulp, I could afford one for that price, I'm just a bit scared to do it and to work out how to fit it...

OMG I feel for you. I guess the flooring needs to come up...

I might be able to make something with mirrors. The door has to be solid and I can have a proper porch (see above) but will have a bit of overhang. Thank you

Check with your local planning office. You will probably need building regs too.

Yup, the lot: Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England), no development as specified in Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A, B, C, D, E, F and G shall be undertaken without the prior consent, in writing, of the Local Planning Authority.

About 25m. That's a good idea, they've already back tracked another mistaken hole (soakaway that didn't work) and they took the pipes out and I wish they'd left them. Yes, it's still rough ground, but clay like the Somme. It's really difficult to work with until April or so.

No PD rights, we have an Article 4 directive.

Tell me about it. The pipe costs about £50, nothing in the scheme of things.

It's more to satisfy my hippy credentials..

I know, I hate confrontation...I called the builder off as loads of little things like this have happened. I stupidly paid (I know, I know). I'm giving the chap's partner a chance to take over and put things right, so I'm waiting.

My utilities connection is due soon and they specified 32mm pipe. The builder put 25mm pipe in by mistake (plus a join, which I was annoyed about). The builder's more switched on partner is taking over the project and has said they will relay 32mm if their plumber says 25mm will be inadequate. I'm sceptical obviously as I looked into fire suppression and this needs 32mm. I haven't spec'd the installation of this, but really dislike 'closing doors' to future things. I hate throwing my toys out of the pram to get what I want but should I insist? Any more good reasons gratefully received.

I've got a small hall with no windows and a flat roof. I'm looking for a low profile roof light which won't show, perhaps triple glazed? if there is such a thing (Conservation Area) or maybe it's a risk? Google isn't very helpful, does anyone have recommendations please?

Apologies, I think this is incorrect.

I read that this was one of Kevin McCloud's biggest disappointments, that many of the projects seemed great with their ambitious eco credentials, but when the crunch came they were unaffordable and had to be called back and the houses lost their 'Grand Design' effectively.

That is actually bonkers! Can you get a local tree surgeon to write a letter verifying that there are no actual trees on your site?! Include photos? ...If it's any consolation, my site has swallowed >£20K in fees for a tiny 2 bed house...

I can't answer specifically, but I've just had piles done for an extension and they were close to a row of hedge/trees in the conservation area and the question you have raised hasn't come up. If there are no trees on the site, I don't see how it can be an issue. During the planning process the council will ask the various interested bodies for their comments and they can delay if they want more information. Have you been for a pre-application meeting, as that should give you a good idea of the concerns the council will raise? It's usually about £500 but well worth it. Piles are usually a Building Control issue rather than planning. Planning usually only care about the external appearance.

I feel for you. We had a new wood burning stove fitted in an old house and it had a very distinct smell when it was new, I cant remember how long for, but I guess that's not the 'burning' smell you are describing. Was a liner fitted at the same time? Did you have it swept before installation? Did the sweep notice anything? Can you identify the source of the smell? Is it from the stove/chimney/joints or even another chimney in the house? This wont be the whole answer but do you have a dampmeter to check you aren't burning wood >20% moisture? Or contaminated wood?

Yes, that was my first thought too.

No building hereby permitted shall be occupied until details of surface water drainage works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and the surface water drainage works have been completed in accordance with those details. The details submitted must include the results of an assessment of the potential for disposing of surface water by means of a sustainable drainage system. Where a sustainable drainage scheme is to be provided, the submitted details must also: i. provide information about the design storm period and intensity, the method employed to delay and control the surface water discharged from the site, including permeable paving and harvesting water butts and the measures taken to prevent pollution of the receiving groundwater and/or surface waters; ii. include a timetable for its implementation; and iii. provide a management and maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development which shall include the arrangements for adoption by any public authority or statutory undertaker and any other arrangements to secure the operation of the scheme throughout its lifetime. This is the line in the planning condition I'm stuck with, it seems to require calculations. If possible I'd really like to try and avoid an underground tank for cost reasons. Thanks!

I don't have much to add except to say it looks to be in a lovely spot and you will love renovating it. I have an old boiler in a rented property and they don't make them like they used to, the old and simple technology just keeps going, so it may not break down as soon as you think.

I'm currently stuck with the 'design storm period intensity' part of the SUDs and am hoping to avoid the need for a 'drainage engineer/consultant'. I can happily do a drive and garden drainage design using SUDs principles with a dose of common sense, but the learning curve for jargon and calculations is outside my comfort zone. It seems there are Excell sheets for this but I'm afraid of garbage in garbage out. Has anybody got a Noddy's guide?

They've decided with the architectural technician to remove the ridge tiles and chop into the felt to create the ventilation as a solution. I'm not fully convinced and its a scary thing to remove the secondary waterproofing...