ETC

Feel free to post some pictures/plans.

Leave it with me. You’ll need to be able to drive into/onto your site and turn - not a problem - there’s plenty of space to do this. Do you have a list of rooms you’d like? I’m not a fan of a basement if it can be avoided - purely on cost and I’m not sure if there is a need to go upstairs but let’s see what happens as the design develops.

What’s the issue? You need a 450mm x 750mm (to get the 0.33m2 requirement) clear opening located between 800mm and 1100mm above FFL. If the hinge is an issue by reducing the clear opening just get the hinge moved to give you the clear opening. It’s very easy to do and takes a few minutes to do. Problem solved!

In progress.

The plot is big enough for a decent sized house plus garage and still leave space over for a garden.

The amount of protection you need will depend on how high above ground level the final storey is. You will more than likely be asked to provide a protected stairwell where all doors to habitable rooms will need to be fire doors. Check out the. Approved Document for your scenario.

You can start work but at your own risk if your plans haven’t been approved but your application is valid. Just contact your local BC office and go through your concerns with them. We regularly inspect works that haven’t got plan approval but the applicant wants to start work. BC will inspect the foundation trenches to see that the ground is suitable and if there are any concerns they will ask you to get an engineer to inspect the ground before any concrete foundations are poured.

I know a "cool" architect😉

Here in NI there is a get-out clause for listed buildings. Check with your local BCO but be prepared to have the current legislation applied to your extension. The following relates to the conservation of fuel and power in buildings. "Protected buildings District councils have a duty to take account of the desirability to preserve the character of protected buildings when carrying out their functions under Building Regulations. Therefore, where work is to be carried out to a protected building to comply with Part F or any other Part of the Building Regulations, special consideration may be given to the extent of such work for compliance where it would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the building. Protected buildings are defined in Article 3A(2) of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (as amended)."

Check the base legislation in England and ask your local BCO. Our technical guidance is derived from the English technical guidance.

Technical Booklets – Building Control NI (buildingcontrol-ni.com)

If I could give this post 5 stars I would - fixed fee all the way.

Just as a matter of interest what have the planners said?

If you’re trying to copy a Huf Haus why not just build a Huf Haus?

Or chimneys😁

You can go as close as legally possible if your wall is 1HRFR. Wood cladding not acceptable unless there’s a solid block wall behind it. Foundations don’t differ between non-sleeping and sleeping accommodation.

Sorry - not a fan. Looks like 80’s Miami.

Personally I think you’ve lost some of the character of the old house. I’m also not convinced with the flat roof parapet. It looks a bit unwieldy and out of place.

If you’re going to remove it after receiving a Completion Certificates it’s not permanent. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/permanent

I forgot to say - it’s also illegal.

Screwing a piece of plywood to act as guarding and then removing after receiving the Completion Certificate is not only immoral but potentially dangerous. The Building Regulations exist for your protection and weren’t pulled out of someone’s ar*e. Builders must think BCOs are as thick as champ!

😂😂😂😂 In German and you expect him to accept it - says it all really! Why not go the whole hog and send him it in Chinese as well.!

It needs to be PERMANENT!

Not in a million years would that pass!

I fully understand that the information was sent by the supplier and that the BCO is now asking for more information and has quoted what he needs from the Approved Document verbatim. He or she has done this because they are not able to reconcile what was sent with what is in the Approved Document - either they don’t understand the information sent or the information sent does not satisfy the requirement in the Approved Document. Remember the old saying KISS - keep it simple - stupid. An email confirmation should satisfy the most misunderstanding BCO.