saveasteading

That is your imagination or selective viewing, or repeating what the competition are saying. Perhaps you disagree with what you hear and regard it is propaganda. I've heard plenty such reports and programmes. Try BBC2 and Radio 4 for more nuance aimed at seekers of information rather than entertainment.

I think we know that answer. The number of voters, encouraged by the locals with big money. Plus, as a Scot living in the far SE I am constantly aware that the majority here have not travelled much north of Kings Cross, and have minimal interest. "Scotland" is mentioned in the ignorant London press as a minor place. eg Lord and Lady Muck have a house in Mayfair and another in Scotland. This is more a matter of ignorance and educational lack, than any malice, and I know that 'the Midlands', 'The North' etc have it nearly as bad. On a positive note. In the event of any political breakdown, Scotland will be self contained in energy or could add 1p to every kW that crosses the border. Spain has many thousands of turbines on the inland hilltop ranges. In my opinion it improves the view, which can be very beige and bland, unlike Scotland's scenery. That is the language of the deniers, which I know you are not. But man-made disasters will still be disasters, and additional to the natural ones which will keep coming whatever. 10 years ago 'global warming' was seen as a myth by many who now accept it as if they were always aware. They were, back then, fed misinformation by the powers that wanted the status quo. The change of view is due to gentle persuasion by those of us who care.

quite so. Aren't we boring writing middle of the road stuff. Those who want to read about how awful everything is / will be can find it in their own chosen source of information. The 'middle of the road' news suppliers are ridiculed by both extremes, and equally by the powers who provide their chosen version of news. Being personal for a moment. I do like the BBC news, TV and radio, and their website. That is where I go for real information. Perhaps it is cautious at times but otherwise they get sued or shut down, and certainly bullied. The unspoken stuff will be there too, nuanced perhaps, but not ignored. I do look at extreme views for information, and I do worry that the average punters ( or the ones we hear from) identify with their chosen extremes. To much 'journalism' is just cut and pasted from press releases. That's verging too close to politics perhaps, for BH, except that we major in pragmatic sustainability, but I welcome others' input as to where balanced information can be found.

If you can advise on that we can add to the advice, or ask your SE. Just a thought. It is an SE working for you I hope, not one working for a screw pile supplier? With the tree gone and the winter to recover, you may only need conventional 1m strip footings.

I might read it later, without prejudice, other than it being fairly clear from your summary that you agree with it's premise., which might just be that we don't need more wind farms. So I am prejudiced already I feel. Hence I'm guessing also that the author isn't much worried about our gas and oil being cut off. My philosophy is to aim for "nett much less" , as zero is impossible except in a disastrous return to the stone age, and because the major powers like things as they are. My garden has enough free compost to save buying 10 bags a year, and veg from june to september. I already own the petrol and battery powered equipment, so that doesn't count as a cost. I put on a jumper before turning on the heating. That is approaching nett zero isn't it?

Tree away. You may still need deepish foundations though because the tree will no longer be drinking the groundwater and the roots will rot. My pragmatic advice is to cut it down ASAP and let the ground recover. It depends on the type of tree and the type of ground.

No. The the BC is a generalist. He can look up the guidance on trees and foundations as we all can, but will accept an SE design. Whatever foundations you choose to do, that tree will keep growing until pressing against the wall so I say it has to go if you build nearer to it. Anyway the leaves will be a constant pain too, as will be any maintenance eg branch damage. So I'd get rid anyway. We humans have a thing about expanding our territory. Do you really need that 1m2 more of house while losing access for maintenance? What if the neighbour erects a fence?

I have only just understood, or think I have. Its is a ramped head so that a bit engages in one direction but not in the other???

a marketing term for faulty screws? were they a bargain?

I've just been cutting back a clay bank by spade. Dry and hard on the surface but wet just 150mm back. After a week of warmth and wind, the new surface was crumbling, and cracks appearing. For some reason it seemed to be forming bricklike shapes and coming loose in big lumps.

I have a photo, not to hand, of an electrician's slash to get a cable through a membrane. No attempt to minimise or seal it, and apparently no knowledge or interest in what the membrane is for. They fitted wires and got paid for it, and nothing else mattered. Diplomatically it is worth a word with the foreman to get their attitude, and establish whether they will now seal holes or not, and if you doing extra sealing behind them causes any issues to them.

I don't think you answered " where is the boundary?"

Not necessarily. I once proposed to a garage owner that he used a simple epoxy floor paint instead of what his original designer / car manufacturer specified. Downside repaint a small section of tyre wear in a few years. Upside. .. 10sof £k saved. Diy work, no closures. It isn't all expensive or thick. 2m tall people have learned to duck.

You simply would never do that. Raising all the doors would be preferable. Epoxy coating would work. Grey isn't so different from the original colour. @jackive just read your contribution. Hearing of your experience is so very instructive. I possibly come over on such posts as negative. The contrary is the case. I have sought design and site innovation and invented processes In business and self builds. But I do lots of homework first and try to foresee issues. Then on here try to balance my negatives with the sales pitches that new builders have been sold. Show me good results and I'm delighted.

Aargh. You will be rain and wind affected, and every dog, cat, fox and seagull from miles around will visit and walk over the wet concrete.

@Spinny I don't think @Mr Punteris being rude. It could be read as ' what is your particular concern if they do this?' Please don't suggest that bco gives dispensations for mates. Rules are rules.

It's nearly all stone. 5% bitumen. To me that's no problem. I've seen it argued that it's organic and not acceptable. I'd lay polythene over it I think.

But what is your plan if they simply cross the line without asking? If they dif across then the LA may help, as it is planning and building regs related. But if they just start working on your side???

Perhaps forbid them from crossing the boundary in any way. They have no entitlement to do so, above or below ground. Where do they intend footings to go? All on their side? How will they finish their wall without access or scaffold?

A fence. Otherwise it will be damaged. Be aware too that a replacement sheet of cladding never matches. One damaged sheet can require the whole face to be replaced. That may require fascias and gutter removal. Photographs, submitted formally to your neighbour will prove condition and that you mean what you say about repercussions. Where is the boundary?

Thanks for the link. It looks good in the pictures of course. I'd expect that the ground surface needs to be sealed. Also for it to be hideously expensive. Have you asked? I once had a project that required grinding, albeit for super flatness, not appearance. The grinding cost about as much as the concrete. Power floats are big, with a circular sweep. How do they reach into corners?

Agreed. Might as well fit clingfilm. No benefit. For something that would form a thermal break but be solid to work with and durable, I suggest tile backer such as Marmox.

Indeed. It will be ripped and dimpled and isn't especially strong, so it needs covering. But a power floated floor isn't pretty either and still has 3mm dips. OR you get the surface ground off it and expose the stone. Don't ever spill red wine. Why, really, do you want exposed concrete? To impress? To be different? A brutalism lover? You MUST see a few finished examples before proceeding any further along this line. Then I'd love to read your comments.

How close did the neighbour come to your boundary? How close to the boundary do you intend to build? Why do you want a basement? It will cost about double £/m2, maybe more, be dark and carry more risk. During construction it will hold all the rain like a tank.

Concrete floors always have cracks. If perfectly made these are microcracks, but thousands of them. Mineral shake makes it harder, perhaps prettier, but it is still industrial. Any spills will show the cracks and stain the concrete. You'll gather I am in favour for forklift use but not domestic. I suggest think of 2 stages. 1.Structure and heavy work. 2. Internals and Finishes . It's all been done before and it is very brave to consider innovation.