Now a short section on my latest project
(Sub-titled: spending money)
Last year I was intending to build a conservatory. Events overtook me, pushed me aside, trampled me underfoot and then kicked me.
This year I am regaining my composure. But now I don't know if I should build a conservatory or an extension to the house.
It isn't a simple choice. Each option has different values and costs. There are many conflicting aspects and even more unknowns. I will try to keep you posted of developments:
Original conservatory option:
Current Extension proposal:
Proposed site:
Visited the local council on Wednesday (21/02/01)
There are two aspects to consider
Planning: How will it look aesthetically. I couldn't find any
hard and fast rules here, just a kind of frown, tutting and remarks about how
big five meters is. Still, I suppose that they have got a job to do in
protecting the look of the environment. If they come along to see the site
and speak to the neighbours then I'm confident that they will be in favour.
Building: This could be a little trickier but nothing that we can't
get round I don't think.
I understand and agree with the need for building regulation, but they do seem a
bit arbitrary in parts. It would help if they were more readily available,
written in plain English and gave more indication of the goal that was to be
achieved. I begin now to see how these regulations lead to some of the
less desirable buildings that we see around. Particularly where extensions
have to comply with the latest requirements rather than those that were
applicable at the time of build without flexibility. Still that is all for
the future. I only need to consider enough of these regs to know how it
afects the design for the planning part.