ToughButterCup

If the Councillors comment has been accurately reported, change '...may...' to '...will be writing...' to both the Planning Committee chairman and the Head of Planning. Has that person submitted a written Objection yet? What is his rationale behind the preference for a bungalow? I ask because it may be that the preference (for a bungalow) is Material to the Application. If on the other hand it isn't, then the objection is irrelevant.

Good. Now - How to choose a Planner.... Network : with the emphasis on work : it takes time and effort. Go onto the LPA site : read lots of applications of the sort of house (build) you want Note who submits that type of application. Read the narrative. Does the Planner make the application easy to understand - has a good deal of effort gone in to it? Does one planner waffle ? Forget her /him Try and find out who knows who in the LPA, and how (Network) Micropolitics matters Look at how well the application is illustrated: it may or may not matter - but if it does, then why wouldn't you make the effort? Does the Planner listen - really listen - to you? If not, then she / he won't listen to others either Does the Planner name-drop about Officials in the LPA ? How? Why? Go to a Planning Committe or two or three. Get to know the people involved Does the LPA outsource the Decision Notice Report? Talk to Estate Agents. Listen. We paid £2000 ish. 6 weeks from start to submission. The guy next to my site applied at the same time (25 meters away) mishandled the LPA - stropped, complained, rubbed folk up the wrong way. And didn't get through. Politics matters.

No. You don't . Initially avoid architects (why - they will try to sell you their design services - which isn't planning) . You need to instruct a Planner to work for you. Ours (sharp as a tac) charged £70 cash for a visit and 30 minute discussion. Best money I ever spent. Ever.

Welcome to normality. Dr Buttercup diagnoses LackOfControlitis: common among self builders. Symptoms: sleeplessness, monomania, distraction, restlessness , anomie, periodic raised heart rate, irritable brain syndrome, BP 140 over 90 most days, over eating. Cure: long distance running, sky diving, caving, rock climbing, toothache, base jumping, romantic weekend with partner, bog snorkeling, supper at @SteamyTea's place, a day in a deckchair watching @Pocster at work, bicycle trip to Sicily, shout down a volcano. All available on the NHS

Exactly Alan. But we still don't know whether the objection is Material to the application. It better had be coming from District Councillor .... @Lincolnshire Ian - can you send us the link to your Application please? We'll be pleased to help - plus we're all as nosey as tomcats anyway.....

Well, there you are @Lincolnshire Ian, and That Councillor will have friends. It won't be too hard to work out who they are. If you look at the others on that committee and their political affinity, it shouldn't be too hard to read the runes. Key point; is his(?) objection Material to your application? If not, you've nowt to worry about. If so: deal with it .

Here Be Dagons. If ever there was an instance where micropolitics will play a role in the outcome, it is here. Is the Objection material to the application? PS Can't wait for @IanR and @Temp to get their teeth into this.

It may or may not be. You @Pocster are a legend. We all know that, you know that. But the BCO doesn't. Convince him of your legendary status as somebody who conserves energy - nervous energy - and just bloody does it instead of worrying about it. Better put JustBloodyDoIt - JBDI

Thanks @SteamyTea. Your sign will go well with the current one John (referred to on the notice) is still alive. But now he only visits when there are big boys toys to play with. He can sit in the cabin, heater on Radio 3- full volume He's due (as is the digger) on Wednesday, digging out for the steps. 9:00 a.m. Sharp. He spends half his time talking to the passers by. Gets on far too well in my opinion with some of the little old dears who walk past. They bring him biscuits and cake for god's sake. Mustn't grumble. 😔

Thanks very much @Ferdinand . Yer a proper good-ideas generator......

Morning! Now that looks like fun. Is the oak local, or French maybe.....?

There are many benefits to a sloping site. Not least to assist in our SUDs program. The slope towards that sycamore tree in the background hides a pond. That takes every drop of rainwater from our roof. The slope hides all sorts of small horrors (to be dealt with in due course) and provides privacy and shelter for many. (PS @JohnMo, that's a wonderful build and site)

Storm Warning.....

Update. Last night did not entirely go to plan.... Lemme explain. Paint and brush duly hidden under her duvet. Sleep on my part feigned. Lights out. She discovers the offending articles and promptly drops them on my pillow. Bugger. Didn't see that coming. "But you forgot to bring me a screwdriver to open the lid ...." That didn't go down too well. Its 7:30 am, and I've just finished painting the five small patches of Polyfilla. Need to go and bring her breakfast in bed now. It never ceases to amaze me how much effort it takes to avoid doing really simple quick jobs.

Not to be outdone, she has a variant on the same theme too... 9 years ago, "Dwahling, dearest, please put these gabions in" : Last weekend - please take them out. "Its Ok, love, I'll play the tart for you if you do..." (Damn that Penelope Kieth woman) Tell yas all wot: if we'd have paid someone else to put them in, they'd still be there. Thats fer boody sure.

Yes. Yes. Its fine where it is. My CBA affects me more on Friday than any other day of ther week.

Sorry Dave. But can I borrow her for a week please?

A Northern Self Builder has recently patented a new Procrastination Technique. @ToughButterCup, 71 , from Lancaster has been unveiling his new technique on a packed village hall carpark somewhere in deepest darkest Lancashire. The location is being kept secret on National Security grounds. A local police chief said; " Ah maaaht 'av ter kill ya if ah wuz ter tell ya where ee iz. " The technique is being called Extended Simplicity. Take a simple job like painting over some filler. All that's needed is paint and a paintbrush. The necessary precondition - and this is vital - is deep CantBeArsedNess. (CBA) After 9 years at it, tough buttercup has been in what is called the CBA State for quite some time. His supportive partner has been worried about him for some time. So she decided to bring the paint and brush in from the workshop and put them on the dining room table. They remained there for a week. From there they made their weary way to the foot of the stairs. Yesterday morning they were at the top of the stairs. This morning after a heavy sesh in't boozer last night, they are on @ToughButterCup's bedside table. Tonight, just to spite her, I am going to put them in her side of the marital repose system. And switch the lights out and fein sleep before she comes to bed. That's a genius idea don't ya fink?

Thanks a lot @Ferdinand

Normal is hard enough for me on my own. I can get some help, but it's only ever available when I'm knackered. Or it's too expensive.

They do what the designers tell them. No female designer, or family orientated person would have made that usability error.

I've been continuously building for just long enough now for us ( well, HerInDoors) to want to change the gabions we installed 9 years ago. Annoying doesn't come close. The job of removing established gabion baskets was so much easier than I thought - shove two crowbars through the basket, digga, straps , snap shackles, normal shackles, a bit of Oomph - jobs a goodun. 4 gabions; several GCNs, a good few toads, a Jeremiah (Bullfrog), loads of snails eggs, lots (3?) of frogs and a pissed off normal newt. I should have remembered to classify our gabions as a hibernacula (newt refuge) for our Ecological Mitigation Strategy. When almost constantly wet, gabions are an excellent refuge for wildlife. Loads of mosses in the gabions that remain.

Thanks everyone. Ian

Oh Fer FooksSake.... 😑 I'm a Bear With A Very Small Brain. Thanks @Russell griffiths

I'm just about ready to put some garden steps in. I'm following the published guidelines for Accessible Garden Design. Context: Old - replaced hips - reasonably fit - tow ramp access to other house doors Spec: 1200 wide ( minimum) handrails risers 150 ish. tread (going) 700 or maybe a bit less but not much fall of (max) 1:50 on each tread step lights ( in the risers ) So far so good. But do I need to put in a ramp to one side? What have you done about that ?