Dee J

Hmmm. Don't know if I've got the wrong end of the stick, but all those live wires (L&N), are they all going to be insulated and sheathed? If the box was a closed structure (like a consumer unit) that wouldn't matter, but given that access is needed for switching and isolation the the wires shouldn't be single insulated conductors.

Looking for a good structural engineer for our build on the Devon/Cornwall border. We were strongly recommended to go with Michael Foulkes down in Looe. Sadly he is to oversubscribed to contemplate taking on our project. Any other recommendations?

I've had a look at many of suggested sources - and this looks the nearest to what I am imagining. ... The whole slab and retaining wall is within the insulating wrapper. But there are still some details I'm trying to sort out.... 1) being a semi-buried structure (set into a slope), the detailing of the transition between below and above ground - protecting the insulation at the transition and the detailing of any cladding above ground. 2)The semi basement is only under about 1/3 of the main house - so how to integrate the insulated retaining wall into the insulated slab for the rest of the build - in effect trying to avoid the building 'hogging' or 'breaking it's back' over the hard line formed by the retaining wall.

All the main glazing is slightly north of east, so getting enough light (and heat) into the house will be an issue. Already thinking skylights and light-pipes.

Thanks for the quick replies. The plot is accessed from the top, and most of the build area is fairly flat, but then drops steeply enough to allow the pair of rooms to be set under the end of the main build... about 2.5m drop in 6m. So the bedrooms will have level access into the garden. - so the undercroft/basement construction is under about 1/3 of the main house. Retaining wall will have to be about 8m run of 2.5m high.

Still negotiating on a plot... but I'd like to get my head around current construction methods and detailing. So in it's most basic form the plan is for a single story flat roofed bungalow, but where the land slopes away having an undercoft (ie partially dug into the hillside) with two bedrooms and a bathroom. What I'm looking for is some useful, guide/website/book that shows the foundation/slab/retaining wall/insulation/damp proofing interconnections including those tricky transitions at the sides between the buried structure and the visible outer skin. At the moment, for the main portion of the house I'm looking at passive slab, structural block walls with external insulation and rainscreen cladding and a beam/block or cast in situ inverted warm roof. Height is key aspect of the planning - so minimising structure and maximising internal height is key. Suggestions, guidance, criticisms, examples please. Thanks Dee

Thank you Ferdinand for a most detailed examination of the situation with this plot. Definitely a case of a careful and considered approach required. Dee

Western edge of Dartmoor, between Okehampton and Tavistock.

Thanks to all who have replied. I had the feeling that this might be one of the more challenging aspects of the permission. The foul drain aspect would probably resolve into two single or one shared pumping stations sending waste back up to the public sewer. More challenging is the requirement about surface water. The plot is on a hillside above a large area of pasture land well above the flood plain - so actual 'flooding' is unlikely - the actual issue is the runoff from the driveway and building and the reduced land area for absorption. When it comes to building construction too there are likely to be issues removing the existing cesspit / septic tank which is located exactly where a buried portion of the building is located. Much to contemplate. Dee

Hi just landed here - thanks. Lets leap straight into the drains! Looking at purchasing a plot with detailed pp. It's a garden plot, on a slope, down from the existing road. Currently the plot contains some kind of sewage treatment for the existing house up the hill. There are three chief areas of concern I need to deal with. Replacement drains system for the existing house (owned by the plot seller), drains for the new-build, and surface water drainage. Solutions for these haven't been included on the plans, but the LLFA have linked a strongly worded consultee comment to the planning consent :- Quote "I am not comfortable with this proposal but the FRA provides sufficient information for the LLFA to remove its objection, however the following should be noted: 1. The site is within the Critical Drainage Area. Land, the highway and property at a lower level than the proposed site has suffered flooding as a result of surface water runoff. The gradient of the land in the area of the site has contributed to the runoff problems suffered. 2. Due to the problems outlined the LLFA wishes to apply a stricter drainage standard than that proposed in the FRA. Currently a system designed to the 1 in 30 year standard. The LLFA requires that the proposed drainage system must be capable to contain and manage flows up to the 1 in 100 year peak rainfall event plus an allowance of 40% for the effects of climate change. Flow from this system must be restricted to no greater than 1.5 l/sec. revised calculations will be required. 3. Consideration must be given to ground stability and site investigations must be undertaken to ensure that the ground conditions are suitable for the proposed drainage system. If you are minded to grant this application please apply the following condition to the consent: Condition: No development approved by this permission shall be commenced until details of a scheme for the provision of surface water management and foul water treatment has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The details shall include:- A description of the foul and surface water drainage systems operation Details of the final drainage schemes including calculations and layout Confirmation from South West Water Ltd that the foul network has sufficient capacity to cater for this development A Construction Environmental Management Plan A Construction Quality Control Plan A plan indicating the provisions for exceedance pathways, overland flow routes and proposed detention features A timetable of construction including a plan indicating the phasing of development including the implementation of the drainage systems Confirmation of who will maintain the drainage systems and a plan for the future maintenance and management, including responsibilities for the drainage systems and overland flow routes Thereafter, the approved scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the details and timetable so agreed and the scheme shall be managed and maintained in accordance with the approved details. Details of the maintenance schedule shall be kept up to date and be made available to the Local Planning Authority within 28 days of the receipt of a written request. Reason: To prevent the increased risk of flooding and minimise the risk of pollution of surface water by ensuring the provision of a satisfactory means of surface water control and disposal." They are not keen on the development are they? So who is the professional I should employ to deal with this challenge does 'Civil engineering groundworks and water management' cover it or is there a specific professional body that covers the skill set. Hope you can help. Dee

Hi New here. I'm Dee, and with my partner Anita have done all kinds of house/diy work on older properties, but are contemplating our first complete 'from plot' self-build. It's something of a relief to find an active forum resource like this. Although we are experienced to some degree in a range of practical skills, the bureaucratic hurdles of planning and some of the new build techniques are quite daunting. As an electrician, hopefully I can contribute in my own (small) way to others challenges. Thanks for having us on board Dee