Recent content by wessex101

@freddiemercurystwin This is all very confusing and I don't really understand what the OP is going on about but I'll throw in my tuppence worth. I think the building inspector has raised the issue under regulation B3 fire resistance of the structure. Because the building is timber framed with...

From memory generally a flat above ground floor level should have a protected escape route to main stairway or final exit point. Therefore if the boiler cupboard is directly off the main circulation space/hallway then 30 mins fire separation would be required. If the cupboard is in the kitchen...

Also it helps if you step down the roof ridge and eaves to the side extension. That with the front elevation being stepped back gives a visual break to reduce the potential for terracing.

It is complicated and will depend on local planning policies, local planning history and the appearance and character of the area. I had a similar project a few years ago. Local planning policy required side extensions to be inset from side boundary and set back from front elevation. However the...

Generally there is no permitted development allowed to extend or enlarge a previous new extension or enlargement. (Unless there is some unused PD allowance such as enlarging an extension from 2m deep to 3m and still be within PD limits). I cannot see how you would get a hip to gable conversion...

I think that needs a bit of clarification. A new party wall can only be created with the express consent of both neighbours it cannot be imposed or "allowed" under the party wall act. The PWA only provides the procedure by which the consenting parties can proceed. If the OP refuses there is...

It was quite common from around 1920's upto around 1950's but I've mostly seen it in non-residential buildings. Plasterboard was available at this time so you tend to see that in smaller residential properties. I don't know why, maybe the lathe and plaster was cheaper or maybe the plasterers...

The trouble is there is no clear definition of a "house" so you can get pedantic planning officers who can argue that a garage is not a house irrespective of whether it was original. We see plenty of examples here where planning officers have made bizarre and often just plain wrong...

I had a similar project a few years ago and posted a thread on here asking pretty much exactly the same question ........ I don't remember receiving any constructive responses. In my research I couldn't find any clear definitions of original house only a fairly obscure planning appeal case...

Assuming you don't go crazy with the roof height and all the other criteria are met. Of course you could put a pitched roof on the extension and still be within PD if the relevant eaves and ridge heights are still met. The eaves height is a stupid anomaly with the permitted development system...

Generally to comply with permitted development rules for an extension to a bungalow you will fall foul of the eaves height requirement if you have a flat roof. One way around this is to have a false pitched roof (sometimes called a crown roof) where you have a pitched roof around the edge with...

Freddie has hit the nail on the head. When you provide a fee quote if the client has not provided a detailed brief or detailed plans you have to make an assumption on what the work will involve and confirm what scope of works your quote is based on. It is quite common for the scope of works to...

I might be wrong but I seem to remember something like a roof under 6m2 is not required to have rainwater drainage. Possibly in the Building Regulations or The Building Act? Although if the porch is exempt from Building Regulations you can do what you want anyway.

That is not strictly true. Whilst in general a party wall built astride the boundary is the shared responsibility of both neighbours in the case of a neighbour building a new wall for an extension the party wall agreement can be written to stipulate that the neighbour building the wall is...

The main problem with these "modern methods of construction" is that very few builders use them. Consequently you only have a very limited number of companies you can employ resulting in a lack of competition and high prices. I suspect that only a company working in this very specialist field...