Ferdinand

Have a (re-?)read of this thread, where we all talked about it. (Oh I see you did.).

'Ang on a minute, Corporal Jones ?. If you really want to pursue this then you can, but I think your advice is *very* questionable in being so decisive. Particularly from a spark, unless he has specific and deep relevant expertise. TBH it sounds as if he lived in a poor quality TF house, and has been scarred for life - did he have a family member who played the trombone? Either method can deliver a good quality, acoustically sound property. However you need to optimise for your goals. If you want quiet or silent TF, then you will look at things like cellulose insulation, triple glazing, and your floor joists being closer together, internal walls filled with soundproofing and so in. Something like an MBC Passive Kit will do it. Do a quick top-slice of advice, and your goals. I you may want to withdraw your Planning Application if you are seriously reconsidering, as you may end up with a redesign. It would useful if someone in planning or submitting planning apps ( @Temp?) could explain whether you lose your fees if you withdraw the planning app. On this thread you will have people explaining how both approaches have worked, which will hopefully give you a more rounded consideration. Ferdinand

I'd phone up the planner and find out how it is going and what his intentions are.

Energy News. North Sea link interconnector is now operational, which is 700 MW of power now, rising to 1.4 GW of hydro electricity from Norway by next March. Will have some impact, but not enough significantly to reduce use of gas in power stations on its own, I think. Water-based elec storage for the national grid by keeping Norway's lakes fuller. ? https://www.euronews.com/2021/10/01/north-sea-link-world-s-longest-undersea-power-cable-linking-norway-and-uk-is-now-operation When wind generation in the UK will be high but energy demand low, extra renewable power will be exported from the UK to Norway and conserve water in Norway's reservoirs, according to the statement. However, when demand is high in the UK but wind generation is low, hydropower from Norway will be imported. Cordi O'Hara, President of National Grid Ventures, said that it is "an exciting day for National Grid and an important step as we look to diversify and decarbonise the UK's electricity supply". "North Sea Link is a truly remarkable feat of engineering. We had to go through mountains, fjords and across the North Sea to make this happen. But as we look forward to COP26, Noth Sea Link is also a great example of two countries working together to maximise renewable energy resources for mutual benefit," he added.

I don't know if they still exist. But the point is that 700ft in Scotland is probably more like Siberia than Cirencester for wear on a wind turbine, and experience is everything. I'd suggest being in touch, and taking a trip to talk to them. I think one of his points is that he can repair it himself. It's only 6 hours in Scottish Miles ?.

Octopus.

They are on Raasay, and have had a (Proven, I think) 2.5kw wind turbine up for more than 15 years. https://lifeattheendoftheroad.wordpress.com/about/

Can I use the good offices of the forum to check my electricity bill. Back in the summer I queried BG estimates, which were nearly a year ahead for electric (big solar array vs their dodgy algorithm), and have just had the final bill. I left them on Sept 13 iirc (when the supply switched to one who went bust 3 days later). I am not totally convinced this is right, but I have not done quit such a big challenge to a supplier before (except when one of them had finger trouble and did my switch to next door's supply instead) The first q is "does this look right"? Struggling slightly to get a grip on BG's concept of "credit", particularly why (at the very bottom) £265.50 "credit" plus £12.64 "credit", actually has 2 x £74 "credit" payments taken off not added to make the total. Perhaps I am being dim. I will post meter readings etc if they are useful. .

Yes. Economics look marginal, as MCS will only give 5.5p export price per unit, unless you get onto the Tesla Battery Tariff (11/11).

Thanks for that. Me: £1287, which is £107 per month, on SVP. And still £300+ below what the bill was in 2013. I wonder if more people will be thinking about pivoting from Gas to Heat Pumps?

Probably correct; it depends on the feedthrough to any consequent reduction in need for output from Gas Power stations. So any reductions will likely be in lower usage of gas for electricity production, rather than reduced prices of wholesale gas.

I've been trying to check the actual unit price, however most media outlets seem dedicated to the belief that most of the public are as thick as most of their journalists, and only quote the notional total bill difference for a notional household. I have no idea what my "cap" price is yet, so can't comment.

Where do we expect this to settle, now? I've now heard from Octopus. Looks like their normal tariff will be about £140 per month fixed or variable, compared to £92 fixed before Avro went bust. It seems the tariff is something called Flexible Octopus, which I cannot find the exact numbers for on the website. By the look of it my current best fixed deal from a big player is around £135. What are others seeing? I will probably be thinking about sticking with a variable then fixing again when it is a decent deal - what do we think is a reasonable thresh hold to watch? I expect the events to trigger it will be big electricity sources coming on stream (Triton Knoll, North Sea link) or back on stream (French link) in the UK, or being repaired (the one that burnt down). (Aside: I see from Gridwatch that the North Sea Link 1.4GW Norway interconnector is now being tested, by the look of it.)

I had a single stand treated professionally as a planning conditions. It cost £300. They came and injected the weedkiller, then came a couple of times more to check when passing, and a final visit and report a year later. To remove it by taking the soil out, it is something like 5m worth in every direction including down. I wouldn't try and self-do it, but perhaps offer to split costs. If it takes hold, you are in the pooh. If it is clearly only on your side, then pay all of it. F

It looks like JK to me. If it is Japanese Knotweed, then the appropriate regs need to be followed. But from what has been posted it is not clear who owns what in the picture, and therefore who is responsible. So no one can help, or will comment very much in a way that will help. Ferdinand

Read this blog: https://lifeattheendoftheroad.wordpress.com/ Do you have any streams?

You can put a low parapet or decorative edging around the roof, which would happily hide them up to a decent angle. Even something in eg wrought iron would do it. You can also put them in landscape format, not portrait, with respect to the tilt. Which would mean that the height of the top edge will be reduced by approx a third.

Good call. If part of it remains farmland, or you want farmland to be a 'part of your garden', there are things you can do. eg You could make it an orchard, or a meadow where you exercise your right to do non-farming things on it for 28 days each year. What you don't do is make the agricultural bit look like a garden. Can do all sorts of things with the 28 day rule.

Since we are on music videos, do not forget your seasonal management, and ways of creating firm ground. If you get too much of it, you will be the Pablo Escobar of Kayleyland.

The music. Especially the Planning Officers’ song, when you ask ANY question.

You were added by a mod in a moment of madness, Maybe.

I used rigid soil pipe and drilled lots of holes in it.

I would take up one row of pavers and go down first with just a trench and see over winter if that dries it out. Perhaps incline the bottom slightly away from the house. For a membrane I would use something like Wickes heavy duty weed membrane. If it works you could just fill it with river pebbles, or move on to your French drain with a soakway.

My new supplier is .... Octopus.