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Is that really the case? The council seem to want me to spend as much as possible and don't seem to want to enter into any negotiation. Perhaps we need to go harder.

They aren’t keen to quote me :( Site is too small for them, I’ll push and see if I can get a price.

Unfortunately not at the moment, I will get the full report next week. It looks like they have puled that episode of grand designs.

It will be fully documented, there is a structure underneath so not sure digging it up would be an option.

Thanks for the link, I'll give it a read. We have an archaeologist, they have just finished trenching and before that they did a DBA. The archaeologist is getting the final report ready, but they have said we should suggest the least invasive foundations to not disturb the site and try to settle for a watching brief. I must have missed GD, I'll watch that thanks!

Thanks. Yes, as far as I'm aware we do have to, to satisfy the archaeologist. Fair point regarding the construction, I was thinking about if there was a water leak they may have to cut/smash the floor to repair it.

I need to come back with some proposals for our foundations, short story is there are archaeological findings under where the house was planned to be (can't move it), so the preferred solution is to come up with some foundations which will not disturb them. I have been doing some research and wondered if a raft or piling foundations could be the answer? Raft should be shallow(?) and piling could be guided to safe areas. Bit concerned with a concrete slab as if there is an issue with say utilities under the slab it would be a nightmare to repair, that said piling concerns me too! I would need to find out where we can go, the archaeological fees have already been expensive, so want to try and keep it to a minimum. The house is brick and block, the footprint is only around 40-45m2. Any ideas?

Hi all Sorry another question from me! We need to choose our windows, the planners seem open to both timber and aluminium. So the issue is we are on a budget, spanking 25k on some quality wooden windows isn’t going to happen, it seems we can get some okay soft wood windows for about 7k which is approximately what we were quoted for some aluminium windows. Now, I prefer the wooden windows, but I’m worried they will let more noise in. Are windows rated? Is there a standard they must adhere to?

As far as I’m aware the PP isn’t that detailed, but we are at the stage of choosing materials, so it’s decision time! The problem is I know I will want to change and update things as I go.

Thanks, its the fact we are in a conservation area which worries me, looks like a poster in that thread got knocked back.

I'm a really indecisive person, I change my mind and tinker with things all the time, there must be others like this on here. My concern is and I know this will happen, say I want to change the style of the window, the rear doors leading into the garden, or maybe some minor exterior detailing small changes to materials etc How do you deal with changes as you go along? It would be painful to tell the planning officer every time, delays have been bad enough as it is! Do you just go ahead with it and try to get the changes signed off at the end? I'd go for this approach but being in a conservation area I think it will make it much trickier.

Thanks chaps.? Brickie yeah please if you can get the spec

Thanks Ferdinand, really useful. I didnt realise white brick had been used for such projects before. If paint was to soak into the brick, that would be devastating, the ones I have seen have a low water absorption rate, so maybe more hardy to staining etc? Had a wander around and this is aprx 194X house, the brick is very similar to your fathers.

Think you are right lizzie, it could look stunning, due to some factors timber frame is out the equation, I have seen people do this though. Any photos thersole

Im interested in bricks similar to this https://library.brickhunter.com/platinum-range-bea-clay-products-caxton-super-white-65mm-wirecut-extruded-white-smooth-clay-brick i.e. not the creamy colour that are sometimes classed as white. I think it could look great in a contemporary building, but when i was a child a cottage not so far away was build of white brick and it had aged very well. I dont't know why they arent used more frequently? Maybe there is something I've missed? Im tempted to perhaps incorporate them into my build. These arent the same, but the photos give some idea https://wienerberger.co.uk/en/product-search/platinum-white https://wienerberger.co.uk/en/product-search/super-white Would be great if other people can add to that

Any thoughts on this? Seems rare in the UK and there arent that make white bricks to choose from. It's something a little different to the white render you normally see, wondering if it could suit both contemporary and traditional homes.

Thanks for the link, will have a good look

Yes it is for flood resilience, while I do not think it will be an issue, I'd rather make my life easier if the worst did happen. Thanks on the other measures, we do already have this in mind.

Hi, Anyone know where I can purchase plastic kitchen units? I'm told they do exist but I can't seem to find them anywhere. Many thanks

Thanks guys such great help! The span should be 5m. Found this https://www.wolfsystem.co.uk/media/114954/easi-joist-tech-guide-v8-6th-edition.pdf

The easi joist type seems to be the most suitable, do they allow for a small depth floor? My architect has allowed for the floor to be 45cm thick, it would be great to be able to get this down if possible.

Thanks Mr Punter, Ill have a look into it.

Hi, Sorry another question! Its a self build, aprx 5mx9m with three floors and hopefully a basement. It will have MHV and UFH. Some people have recommended concrete floors throughout, I like the idea of concrete floors although I do also like the way a wooden floor 'gives' a little when you step on it. Id also like to keep the floor depth to a minimal if I can, not sure if there is better type I havent considered? Any input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks really helpful!

Hi all, Very close to having PP granted for our new build, finally! We are in a conservation area and the planning officer has said I need to show samples of materials, does anyone have experience with this? Does anyone know if I need to document this? If so is it something I can easily do myself? Also, I know some people on here have done their own technical drawings, but I think I will probably have to pay someone, is there a fairly standard price for this? Also are you able to give your input into this? Thanks in advance