Foundations close to a row of Leylandii

[oldkettle]

I was naively confident that on our relatively large plot it would be easy to build a gym/temporary accommodation. But a recent thread got me quite worried that 2 or 3 meters from Leylandii is too close and likely prohibitively expensive. 

 

Here is the picture of the corner where I hoped to have it - 9m by 6m structure so would require BC. Yes, replacing the kids play house. The trees are about 7m tall on the left and 4m at the far side. 

How is my luck? 

[nod]

Not necessarily expensive

we are  surrounded by trees with a row Lylandi in between the house and the trees similar to yours 

We dug deeper strip and added clay board to cope with the ground 

heave Definitely not a deal breaker 

 

[Russell griffiths]

Depends what this building needs to be, screw piles and a raised steel/ timber floor

timber wall panels, lightweight, standing seam metal roof,lightweight. 

Just depend what your trying to build. 

[Big Jimbo]

I have just started my posh shed, and i have got loads of bloody trees. I have kept it to under 30sq mt because i wanted to steer clear of BC. I have done 12 piers at about a meter deep, and once i got about 600mm deep i was at the bottom of the clay, and into bloody hard ground.  What about building 2 and then when they are finished, and your house is all passed out, doing a sexy link (glass etc) to join the 2 ? The gap would only need to be about a meter, and a link between the 2 would then not cost a lot.

[Big Jimbo]

or just put some glass in the Wendy house.....

[oldkettle]

55 minutes ago, Big Jimbo said:

 What about building 2 and then when they are finished, and your house is all passed out, doing a sexy link (glass etc) to join the 2 ? 

Yes, thought about that. The equipment I want in the gym eventually is rather bulky so wouldn't fit comfortably, although 25m2 internal is probably enough for most. Only as the last resort though. 

[oldkettle]

1 hour ago, Russell griffiths said:

Depends what this building needs to be, screw piles and a raised steel/ timber floor

timber wall panels, lightweight, standing seam metal roof,lightweight. 

Just depend what your trying to build. 

No way to have an insulated slab in these conditions? 

[Russell griffiths]

Just now, oldkettle said:

No way to have an insulated slab in these conditions? 

I see no reason why not. 

[oldkettle]

11 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

I see no reason why not. 

 

Fair to say the next step is hiring a structural engineer? Or do I need to have ground tests first? 

[gc100]

We built next to a wood. If you are doing normal foundations you just have to go much deeper and use clay board on the inside. A structural engineer can do the calcs for the depth needed for BC to be happy.