Planning permission granted, we just build, yes? No...building warrants explained...

So, now we have  been granted planning permission, we've been working away. But you would probably not know that because not much has changed on site.

Here's a log of things that have happened since permission was granted:

Building Warrant application submitted. Once permission is granted, we then need to apply to  the council Building Control officers for a Building Warrant. This is in effect approval of HOW we are going to build the house - this differs from planning permission which is only the WHAT aspect. We worked with the architect and our structural engineers to produce a detailed set of drawings showing a much more detailed level of information. It explains how we will build the floors, how we will insulate, the room layouts, access, windows, electrical connections, driveway and much much more. Our engineer has also produced a detailed set of drawings showing all the key structural components of the build. What does that mean? Here's an example.

That lovely sunroom up on the top - underneath all that is a lot of complex detail that show how it will be built and prove that it will not fall down, be blown away, that it will be safe and so on. Underneath that green roof and timber clad walls will be a steel skeleton, which will be mounted to the existing concrete walls - it will be to this frame that we will construct the walls using timber frames attached to the timber. The roof and floors will also attached to the steel frame.  The below give and idea of what it looks like.

Excavations - we have engaged a number of groundworks contractors to get prices for excavating out the garage, lower the ground at the side of the tanks and create a driveway and parking area. We have now appointed a contractor and hoping for work to start in the next few weeks (end of April 2015)

Sludge - this one you can see! We contracted JM Murdochs to pump out the sludge from the tanks. There was about 70m3 of sludge in the tanks, which took two days to pump out. The insides of the three sections and almost completely clean now and empty of water. 

Services - I could write an essay on this, and nothing has even started. SP Energy Networks will be providing the electricity and so far, they've been pretty good. Scottish Water on the other hand are a very backwards organisation, although I'll give them the benefot of the doubt. We will have to run electricity and water across the neighbouring field and need permission from the land owners. The owners have been reasonable and will permit this, but we need to get the legals in place - we need the connection point for the water from SW, but they won't give us that until we have an application in...but you can't put an application in until you have the permission to dig up the land...and you can't get that until you have the connection point.....okay - I'll stop now. A circle. We've submitted to SW with a TBC and await their response. I suspect they'll wait their 28days and then tell us we need the permission and start the whole silly circle again. 

Contamination Survey - one of the two conditions of planning was that we get a contamination survey completed. We have had 4 quotations for  this and will commission shortly. 

SEPA - We have engaged with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as we need their approval to discharge the effluent from the sewage treatment plant. I have been fortunate to have contact with a very helpful gentleman at SEPA who has provided lots of useful information and guidance. Our engineer is producing the drainage plans which require to be approved by SEPA. 

Pricing - with a whole house to build, we now commence the long process of pricing up the materials. Every single part of the house has to be proved, from the blocks holding the floors to the light switches and heating system. We are taking a practical approach and identifying what we need when, and working that way first. It's quite amazing the difference in pricing you can get. More detail later!

Address registration - we have started the process of registering an address for the plot. We have spoken to North Ayrshire Council who have advised that 'The Old Water Tank' is available, so that's what we're going for!

Hedging - now, you might think that hedging should be long down the list, however we are planning on keeping bees, but the site will be quite exposed in winter. We have dug trenches to hedging to provide a shelter belt for the hives. If we plant them now, in two years they should be just about tall enough and thick enough to provide a shelter belt for them. 

So there you have it  - a lot going on in the background. We hope to have BW approved by May by which time the site clearance will be completed and the garage base dug out to make sure the soil is suitable for the planned foundations. 

Next up, I'll give an overview of the garage and drive plans.