A question for you builders - what’s going on here?

[Mottie]

A few roads from me there’s a house that’s been empty for at least 15 years - looked like the builder had been to Spain in the 60’s and tried to recreate a Spanish villa or something. Anyway it was finally sold last year and as usually happens round there, they knock one house down and build two or more in its place. Not do with this one - it looks like they are building a second skin around it and will then knock it down from inside? Is that right? They can’t be leaving it as none of the windows line up. So, what’s going on here then?

Before:



Currently:

 

[CBW]

Perhaps just a single skin outer wall to blend in with the street and make more energy efficient? I know some of our (landlords) houses have had similar done.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Maybe they are using the original wall to support the roof, then build an outer wall that takes support over?
Then demolish the inner

The original walls also possibly retain security.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Have a look a the planning application drawings online.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Might be a cunning plan to avoid planning permission for the build...as above, check for pp on the site.

 

[^woody^]

Extension and knock-through after.

 

[Mottie]

Extension and knock-through after.

Looks like it.

https://msp.havering.gov.uk/civica/...c/pagestream?cd=inline&pdf=true&docno=2582316

 

[Mottie]

Update: All finished now apart from the wall and drive. Looks a lot better than the original but seemed a weird way to go about it. Why not just knock it down and start from fresh?

 

[^woody^]

I see. They've gone for the public house vide.

 

[elisa123]

I preferred the old house.

 

[Notch7]

Why not just knock it down and start from fresh?

Planning maybe

I would presume a new build could’ve 0% VAT, so there becomes a point when starting again is better value.


Not sure how CIL works if you knock down down and start from scratch - do you pay on the whole lot or the increase?

 

[Mottie]

I think they might still need a bit of insulation in the roof.

 

[Notch7]

I think they might still need a bit of insulation in the roof.

Cannabis farm

 

[JP_]

Maybe a planning issue. Developer did the house next door - rather than knock down, they stripped off the roof, all internal walls and rear wall, so just 3 walls standing, then built from there. They said it was so they did not need to get permission for a new build, just a renovation/extension.

 

[kp00110]

Maybe they were still living in the house for as long as possible/ for as little disruption as possible