wessex water approval…

After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, we have received approval from Wessex Water this week. This is a great relief, but I am a little confused. The manholes that we proposed (because we thought Wessex Water required them) will be too close to the foundations. We have been told to make direct connections into the sewer. This is fine for us – less work, less disruption, less visual impact, less cost. But, given the problems we had with the CCTV survey due to poor access, I am surprised that Wessex Water don’t at least want one manhole to improve their access.

So now we have revised Planning Approval, Building Regulations Plans Approval, Wessex Water Approval, we just need to sort the price out and we may be back on track.

planning approval #2

Well that wasn’t too painful. Now we have reflected on the (forced) decision to pull back the rear extension, I’m minded to think that it’s done us a favour. The kitchen and dining area will be ‘cosier’, but in a good way. Losing the proposed shower on this level is not much of a loss and, given the way the costs are going, this reduction in scope will be a significant saving.

The main thing that remains to be sorted is the balcony. Continue reading

sewers: bad news continues

Found them! Unfortunately they are much, much closer than we had hoped. I have been getting rather frustrated at Wessex Water saying that they have an ‘exclusion zone’ of 2 metres, but now we have found the pipes (show in green in the drawing), it is clear that the storm water drain is located in the vicinity of the foundation. So,irrespective of Wessex Water’s view and approvals, we would not be able to build on top like this in any case. Continue reading

out to tender!

After a lot of final amendments and hard work, Ruairi sent out the tender documentation earlier this week. We decided to go to four builders: two that we discussed as being the right type and having the right sort of experience; one that was recommended by our structural engineer; and one that was local with a good portfolio, but otherwise unknown.  All tenderers completed a pre-tender questionnaire, which isn’t usual for domestic projects. Tenders are due to be returned in four weeks. Continue reading

our first major problem…

Sewers!!! The foul and storm water drains run at the back of the house, which we knew. The original record drawing showed the sewers further out in the garden.Wessex Water have written to us to say they are within 3 metres. Not only that their records show that they are deep (approx 2 metres). Their rules prohibit construction within 2 metres horizontally of their infrastructure if below 1.5 metres. Continue reading

there’s a lot of detailing to do…

We received planning permision back in April, but have been distracted by the wood burner and bathroom installations, not to mention being busy with work. To acheive the energy target, the devil will be in the detail. And there’s a lot of details to do! Every junction and assembly needs detailing, which needs to be done for tender and for Building Regulations approval. I need help! Continue reading