flanagaj

Does anyone have any experience of adding an inset balcony like the below? Whilst I think this would be a nice addition, I am curious to understand whether this will be very expensive. I'd also like to understand the construction detail and how having the balcony affects the rest of the first floor structure detail.

As we are looking for a very shallow roof pitch to enable us to hopefully go two storey and be under 6.4 metres ridge height, we will most likely be under the pitch for solar panels. I'm actually not fussed about solar, but worried LPA may make it a condition of the planning grant. If so, is our only option to install the panels in the garden?

Was also thinking that collecting items advertised on Gumtree or eBay could potentially save money over the builders merchants

I have a 2008 Citroen Berlingo which has the drop front seats. Great van, but rubbish payload and you cannot get 8*4 sheets in it.

Thanks all. Hadn’t really considered a tipper trailer. Was thinking that it will save money when collecting aggregate or disposing of spoil / waste that cannot go in a skip. maybe I should just a tow bar attached to my wife’s Seat Ateca 4*4 and use that.

I was ear marked to purchase a Citroen Dispatch, but that fell through. I then thought a boxer size van, might be better, but now I'm considering getting a dropside tipper as they would seem super versatile?

So our proposed design that we want to submit to the planners will be something along the lines of the below, but with a back to front sloping seam sealed roof (minimum pitch for solar panels). What I really like is the way the cladding and the stonework are at the same level on the vertical. If you were to a traditional structure with brick / cavity / block and then counter batten the upper section for the cladding, the cladding would project ~ 70mm proud of the stone, so I am unsure what construction methodology you would need to use? If anyone has a cross section diagram explaining how you achieve this to meet/exceed current building regs, could you please post. Thanks

Thanks Garry.

So did Rachel Reeves announce today that Labour are reversing the changes implemented by the Conservatives in December 2023 and therefore making it more difficult for LPAs to just refuse an application without providing a valid reason? I am hoping this is the case as we are about to submit a revised planning application which is modernist in design. Am I getting ahead of myself, or have Labour committed to doing this, and do people think LPAs will be more cautious at refusing applications?

We were speaking with a planning consultant re putting in a new planning application to instead build a two storey modernist designed property instead of the traditional single barn style dwelling that was granted to the previous owners. The consultant mentioned that the Conservatives made getting that approved difficult with their planning reforms of Dec 2023 and that Labour have committed to reverting those changes within 100 days of being elected. He said that it will make the likelihood of getting our application through easier. I have no idea what he actually means though.

I am trying to source 3 Heras fencing panels, but everyone seems to want collection only. I did consider hiring it, but given we are going to need it for 18 - 24 months, then it does not seems cost effective. Does anyone happen to know of a company that will deliver?

This sounds very interesting. So although the original application stated a clay tile roof / timber windows, could I then propose a seam seal roof and aluminium windows, or would that be a step too far?

The neighbour who sold us the plot and then insisted we met a couple of times in person, has now gone completely cold on me when I sent them an email of the revised house design we want to go with. They didn't even respond to my email. I wish I hadn't bothered now..

I did contact Basingstoke & Deane regarding CIL, and they replied. "As there is no CIL charge, In accordance with CIL Reg 67 (1A)(b) no Commence Notice is required and no further action will be required with respect to CIL."

I have just made a start dismantling the old cattery pens from the plot we have purchased. I spent sometime reading whether I needed to file a demolition request to the council before I started dismantling. I say dismantling, as a charity is taking the pens to reuse them. So I took it that as they are being dismantled and are basically wooden pens, that a demolition notice was not required. Now the next job I need to really do, is to to remove the hedgerow / trees that were marked for removal on the planning application (I understand that if birds are nesting, I cannot remove them). This is so that I can create a temporary driveway into the plot so that cement trucks / grab lorries can reverse into the plot as opposed to blocking the highway. The reason for the post is that I am rather confused as to what tasks I can just get on with, and what requires some sort of paperwork to be filed with the council. Eg, I don't know whether site preparation / clearance is deemed as building has started. My wife and I are also considering putting in a new planning application, and am unsure whether doing that is best done having not done any work on the site. The site clearance / temporary driveway works are required regardless of whether we build what is currently agreed or whether we get a new app approved. Any pointers welcomed, as I have become a bit of a nervous wreck when on site as I am continually worrying that the neighbours will be looking for any excuse to report me to the council.