It looks like it’s closed (screwed in)
There will be no flow to that circuit (no water in the meter)
just unscrew - anti clockwise to get the desired flow & there will eventually be water in the meter.
Good advice from Nick & very generous offer of help.
There will be a solution, I’m sure the heat pump can be run without the thermostat.
The most important thing to do is PM me Nicks number once you get it, I need to start my plumbing very soon & I need him on speed dial 😉😬
Not even sure I understand 😂
Could you put a plastic pipe in the cored hole, plaster up to & around, then fill the plastic pipe with expanding foam?