thaldine

Indeed, my question was about building regulation requirements rather than planning - the planning permission has already been granted.

I'm intending to replace an existing dwelling with a new build home. The existing access track is over 100m in length, about 3m wide with a maximum gradient of 1 in 10 (although most of it is less steep) and is metaled with crushed stone. Due to the size, slope and nature of the site there is very little scope to widen it or the existing 8m x 8M turning/parking area at the top or add a new access from elsewhere. I believe there are various building regulation requirements regarding access that may be hard or impossible to comply with regarding width, steepness and emergency vehicle access. Does anyone else have experience or knowledge of similar issues and potential ways of remediating them ? The existing dwelling is built using heavily creosoted timber railway sleepers - so in my view it's ongoing use as a dwelling constitutes an existing fire hazard - though I'm doubtful application of the regulation will take any account of that !

thanks folks

Has anyone evaluated the cost premium of going for the PH15 build system package versus separately procuring the PHPP modelling, detailing & engineering design, building fabric, windows and doors, external blinds if needed, MVHR system with conditioning and two air tests ? Many thanks in advance

I can't lay my hands on a fully alike depiction but somewhat like this with 350mm deep I joists at 400mm centres.

I'm planning to have an internal span of 6.7m across a living space in a 1.5 storey build with a ridge height of 6m and eaves of 2.9m with a profiled metal roof. Am I right in thinking this should be possible to achieve with the I-joist frame alone without a steel wind frame ? Thanks in advance.

Yes, that concurs with what I've so far found. There seemed to be a few lenders for traditional mortgages (i.e. not self-build) for timber frame and timber clad, which I think many folk switch to after the build, but less so for self-build mortgages. I suppose if you think selling to a mortgage dependent buyer or remortgaging, possibly via a lifetime mortgage, is likely to happen before the timber cladding needs replacing (and hence could be rendered instead) the future options are restricted. In my case I may start failing before the cladding though !

Hello, Now that Ecology have suspended their self-build mortgage offerings are there any other lenders who consider timber frame and timber clad builds ? Thanks.

No, separate: "any architects (and builders)" and "any builders (and architects)"

I'm looking for any builders (and architects) with some previous experience of constructing houses designed and built to passivehaus standards (along with "passive slab" foundations) who cover Strathspey and Badenoch. Any pointers gratefully received. Thanks

I'm looking for any architects (and builders) with some previous experience of constructing houses designed and built to passivehaus standards (along with "passive slab" foundations) who cover Strathspey and Badenoch. Any pointers gratefully received. Not solely/necessarily Passivehaus Trust certified architects though. Thanks

@ProDave I've had a hygrometer for a few years and when the indoor RH undergoes a drop (equally say from 65 to 45 or 50 to 30) as it does when windy the symptoms are at their worst. I'm not sure it is to do with the outright value of the RH but more the fact it drops quickly (possibly leads to the propensity of moisture to condense on a surface to lessen ?) Similarly, when RH is high it can be a bit of an issue too but not as bad as during an aforementioned drop (I wonder if this is because a good proportion of any moisture has been locked up as vapour hence the high RH). No, I've never spent more than a couple of hours in a MVHR equipped house. So when you mention good internal air quality do you put that down to any specific characteristics ? @JohnMo Thanks, I'd landed on the UFH and enthalpy exchanger so it's encouraging to hear it echoed that those may both be worthwhile in relation to the problem !

Hello, In all buildings I've so far lived in I have a problem with irritated nasal linings and congestion (not allergy related). Stepping outside relieves it rapidly and coming back indoors brings the symptoms back almost as quickly. Symptoms seem to be worse during windy and/or cold weather (especially when both windy and cold). I suspect the greater the propensity for moisture to evaporate within the home the worse the symptoms get. Based on that, what should I pay attention to in the design, bearing in mind the general guidance to avoid indoor condensation ? The planned build has 0.6 ac/h air tightness and vapour control barrier. Thanks, Trish

Does anyone know if anything akin to this is available in the UK ? https://aeroseal.com/aerobarrier/ ..and if so its merits and/or demerits ? Thanks.

Any ideas precisely why someone may get nasal congestion indoors when cold and/or windy weather ? Symptoms seems to be correlated with the amount of heating on. Stepping outside relieves it rapidly and coming back indoors brings the symptoms back almost as quickly. Is it simply down to the fact the cold winter air has (relatively speaking) less moisture in it so when that air is heated indoors it dries the mucus membranes out more, or is there more to it than that ? When planning a new build or renovation how might you design for a better indoor environment in this regard ?