Saints1

Thank you all for your advice, I spoke to the architect today and he has agreed that block and beam isn’t required. To be fair to him, he hadn’t finalised all the drawings as there have been some too’ing and throwing between him and SE and he did state it required a re-design. If I hadn’t of come on here and sort advice I’d of probably let it go. Maybe the architect may have changed it regardless but at least I was forearmed. thank you all again. i am sure i will have many more questions to come considering i am very early in to the project 🙂

Hello and thank you for your quick response. so there is a mine shaft on the site situated about 9 meters from the property however this has been capped at rockhead. The survey completed on the ground came back with good ground albeit made ground over the shaft entrance which is to be expected but the build is over 9 meters away from that. this was the originally reason for piling however structural engineer has stated rafters now which is fine. there has been no subsidence in the area ever recorded either. I just felt it was a little strange to put a raft then a block and beam flooring in.

Hi all, I feel like recently I am constantly on here asking questions and nagging everyone but I value everyone’s advice. I am just getting my plans back from the structural engineer to submit to the BCO and they have gone from piling to a raft foundation which is fine. My architect has now stated that on top of the raft I will need a block and beam floor. I just wanted to query is this normal practice? I understand that I will need to insulate above the raft but I was hoping that I could insulate and then 75mm screed on top with UFH? I am no way a builder or in the building trade so could be way off with my theory but any help or assistance is greatly received.

No nothing agreed… in essence I don’t think the neighbours knew where there pipes ran and probably didn’t concern themselves too much as long as their sh*t didn’t flow back they wasn’t that bothered lol

Yes the neighbours property was built in 2000 whereby they knocked down the previous house and rebuilt on that plot so I’m assuming the sewer lines belong to the utility company with what you are saying pre 2011 but they just don’t hold the mapping for it?

On the plans there is a pre-commencement condition that states “Foul and surface water shall be drained on separate systems. Surface water shall be drained in accordance with the hierarchy of drainage options in National PlanningPractice Guidance” I have looked at SUD’s however having had to do a site/contamination/Soil investigation the ground is very heavy clay with rock head found as shallow at 3.8meters deep so in essence the surface water will struggle to soak away. My neighbours house I know was built in 2000 and there was an existing house there before so my guess they connected up to the old pipes from the previous house. from speaking to the structural engineer in cases where I can’t get around SUD’s I will still need to put them on two separate systems (foul & surface water) even though they will meet in the combine sewer. But this will apparently future proof it incase the utility companies decide to devise separate drainage in years to come.

Hello, I wonder if anybody could help. We are at the start of our self build project, planning agreed just going through fine print of the pre-commencement conditions. (Also of note this plot was a garden, so there are no services to the plot) I’ve been looking at how we are to get foul water and rain water away from the address and it looks like the whole road are on a combined sewer. I understand that nowadays utility companies want you on separate systems albeit they will eventually connect in to the combine pipe individually. The issue I have is I know the waste water flows at the back of my address as I know the neighbours and they allowed me to open the last manhole on their property. Their pipe runs straight across my back garden and then presumably in the neighbour on the other side of me. I have contacted the utility company to ask for a waste water pipe line map however they don’t have it for my neighbours either side and it only picks up on their system two doors down. The lady on the phone stated that they won’t hold maps for private sewers. so here’s my question, if my neighbours waste water flows across my garden can I effectively “T” into it (with the appropriate inspection chambers) at two points, one for foul water and another for surface water (two separate systems) and do I have to notify the utility company of this if they hold no records of it?

Did you manage to find a suitable company in regard to your self build. I am finding myself in a similar position whereby I am using multiple contractures from brick layers, roofing joiners and “managing” the build myself but all insurers are interested in is who is the building contractor.

I think the reason for the covenants was due to the fact the previous land owners (now deceased) had bought the land from the council at the time for a nominal sum. That’s when the then council (no longer exists) have put the covenants on that the land may only be used as a garden for the property to which the land owners have entered that agreement with them and as such the covenant has come in to existence between both parties. If that makes sense.

Hi all, Looking from some advice. I have looked through the forums on here but can't really find anything specific to my issue. I have a plot of land that my parents own to which I am hoping to build a house on for myself. Full planning permission has been granted by the LA however when I have come to get the land transferred in to my name, my conveyancer has noted a covenant on the land from 1983 by the previous owners who are now sadly deceased. The covenant is between them and what was the county council at the time however this was disbanded in 1986 and the local authority took over. The covenant states for no dwelling to be built upon the land which is exactly what I was hoping to do. I did consider taking out an insurance indemnity on the land/property however when I spoke to my solicitor they stated that effectively we have already give notice to the LA by applying for planning and so no insurance would be likely to accept it as they usually ask for no contact/notice with any interested party. So my question is what are the possibilities of the covenant still being enforceable seeing that the primary persons involved are now deceased and the other party cease to exist. Do you think it would be reasonable to ask the LA for a deeds of release along with my parents, the now land owners? Any help or advice is greatly received.

Dug to suitable strata which was bedrock at 4m. 6x6 m squared then reinforced with 25mm rebar then chairs 400mm high then 16mm rebar on top of that, then filled with R35 concrete 700mm thick. Left to cure then backfilled.

😂😂😂

I was equally interested… its a mine shaft from the late 1800’s it’s plotted to be around 80-100 meters deep according to the coal authority whom state is shallow as many mines went as deep as 500 meters so I’m told. It had to be capped at bedrock which was thankfully around 4 meters deep. The shaft diameter was 2.9 meters and so the cap was capped squared 6x6 meters reinforced with streel and 32 cubic meters of concrete 700mm thick.

That’s really helpful, thanks guys

Hi all, I wondered if anybody knew if I could claim back the VAT on the cost for capping a mine shaft on site. planning permission has been approved with conditions, one of which is the capping of a mine shaft on the land certified by the Coal authority. This work has been completed but wondered if I could claim back the VAT as part of the build as without this work being completed the house could not be built so it was necessary for the overall development of the dwelling. Any advice is greatly welcomed

Thanks for your replies guys. Really helpful and food for thought.

I am currently going through the same process with my LA that have placed a lot of pre-commencement conditions on the build, one being a landscaping plan. I have read on other post people who have completed their own to keep cost down but I can't seem to find an online software that will enable me to complete one. I say I can't find one, I can find loads that all come with a cost/subscriptions. I don't suppose anybody out there has any knowledge of any sites/software maybe free? Thanks

Thanks all and sorry for the delay. Looks like we are going to go down the EPS beads route.

Hello, So we have been provided planning consent and just going through the finer details. Waiting on building regs and the plans are with the structural engineer. I am aware that cavity walls are now to be 150mm thick, but with so many products out there, which is the best, yet cost effective cavity insulation to use. The house is a 1.5,(dormer style) 4 bedroom detached dwelling. Any help is greatly received.

Hello everyone, new here, I am just wondering if anybody has ever had any involvement in having to cap a mine or the actual design of a mine cap? strange question I know but any advice would be greatly received.

Hi all, newly here looking for tips, tricks and more importantly, advice.