Ivy's gone

Finally got the remainder of the ivy off the road gable (and part of the roof) at the weekend.  What a job!  Ivy tangles round itself as it grows, and it clings (like it's life depends on it - and it did, but not any more) to the joints in the stonework with it's fibrous roots.  So a fair bit of mortar came off with the ivy, but it all has to be repointed anyway so that's no real problem.  Fortunately there were no nesting birds in there, which was my main concern.  If you want to see what it looked like before, check Google Maps which now has a good StreetView photo of this wall.

Also had a site visit from a good friend and ex-work colleague who is now a property developer.  He gave us some great advice and is meeting us later this week to tell us more.  He's really excited about the barn but fears he's too busy to get formally involved, at least for the next year or so.  Mind you, the time things are taking at the moment that might just fit in!

And had another chat with our neighbour to (almost) conclude agreement about the fence and removing his willow tree.  Looks like removing that tree will be our first job next weekend.  Meanwhile, managed to scramble onto our old lean-to roof to get the little tree off the top of our 'Pisa' wall.

At last, it's registered

Finally the planners have 'validated' our planning application, so it's been registered today (Week 18.5).  They queried it for a week or so, thinking that our proposed lean-to was encroaching onto our neighbour's property, until we pointed out that the building's on our property and it's the neighbours fence that's in the wrong place!

So that fence is still causing a little irritation, but we've almost concluded an agreement with the neighbour now that should suit us both.

Our proposals are all on the South Northants Council's planning website at http://snc.planning-register.co.uk/PlanAppSrch.asp.  Search for our our application reference numbers S/2010/0279/FUL (this has all the drawings in) or S/2010/0280/LBC.

The 8 week consideration period starts today, so we have everything crossed that we'll get approval by mid-May.  We might even start some of the preparatory works (improving the access, some groundworks?) under the existing approval in the meantime.

Now, who'd like to buy a lovely house in Warwick ???

A little application

Planning application was eventually submitted on Monday, i.e. at the start of Week 17.  We made a few last minute tweaks to the fireplace that we hope the planners won't find objectionable.  Now we just have to wait 8 weeks for their decision.


The application should appear on the council's website soon.  If you fancy finding it as soon as it's on, you can try http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/planning_building/209.htm

15 weeks, and counting

We completed the barn purchase on 6 Nov 2009.  So counting week commencing 9 Nov as Week 1, we've just completed Week 15.  We'll log it that way from now on. 


Took the last of the 'slates' to the tip at the weekend, so we're rid of all the asbestos from the barn now.  That's a relief.


Also got the architects first draft of planning drawings.  They look good, but we've told him they need a few changes to reflect what we've discussed informally with the planners.  Now need the engineer's confirmation about foundation solutions - but he's waiting for the results of the soil tests, which he expected last Friday, so we hope that gets sorted early this week.  Then we'll complete the planning application and get it submitted - by the end of the week?

Trials and Tribulations

Our posts have tailed off in the last few weeks, not because of inactivity at the barn but because of a really sad event in my sister's family.  But we have to keep going so ...


We got a man and mini-digger in last weekend to dig some trial holes.  A load around the perimeter to find out where the underside of the walls is (answer: only a foot down), what their foundation is (answer: nothing) and what soil they're on (answer: the worst kind of clay that shrinks and expands over the seasons).  Also dug one hole to a depth of 2 metres to find out where the clay finished and good founding soil started (answer: about 1.5 metres down).

So what do these findings all mean?  Well, bad news, bad news, really bad news and ... given the first three, erm ... s'pose it could have been worse.




Fortunately the engineer is good.  He thinks he can find a solution that will get through the clay without the need for piling (and might negate the effects of next door's tree) so won't be too expensive - not cheap, but not as much as piling.  We're waiting to see that, so that the architect can complete the planning drawings this week and get the application submitted.

We had to remove the barn door to get the digger in - which really shows the outward lean on the wall that's presently propped up by the existing lean-to!


Also took a trailer load of old slates to the tip - only to be told they were probably asbestos cement, so had to be double bagged and sealed.  Apparently you're allowed to dispose of 2 single tiles and one drain pipe per annum, and we've got 4 trailer loads of this stuff.  We've managed to negotiate for 3 loads, don't know what we'll do about the 4th - might be time to find a tip in Oxfordshire!

One small step ...

Got an email from the planners today saying that although they still have some concerns about our fireplace proposals, they would prefer the brick one - which is a shame 'cos we prefer the appearance of the stone one (with a freestanding fire) although we would like it in brick!  We might even move it to be against the gable end wall - not sure yet.

Also spoke to the structural engineer about how we can get things moving.  He's going to send us a plan with suggested trial hole positions, so that we can get a contractor in and start some digging!  That should enable us to establish where the undersides of the existing walls are and what type of soil we've got.  The engineer should then be able to give us some firmer ideas about foundation options (and so costs).

And the mystery of the lost key is resolved.  The post office had held onto it for 16 days due to 'insufficient postage'.  So two 1st class stamps ain't enough these days for a 6x4 envelope containing a tiny key weighing a few grams.

We're trying a breast reduction

The architect has sketched a slimmer chimney breast, so that's gone off to the planners and we're still waiting to hear from them.  Tell us which one you prefer (sign on as a Follower and leave a Comment).

He also went to the barn last week to do a survey of the existing building and surroundings.  The snow didn't stop him, but without a key (Misan posted one to him 2 weeks ago, but he didn't receive it) he couldn't get in to survey inside.  He reckons he has enough data from some previous measurements to be able to complete the planning drawings.  We hope so, 'cos time's passing and we want the application in by end January.

We've yet to hear from the structural engineer.  Think I'll have to call him next week to chivvy him alomg too.  Meanwhile I'm working in Copenhagen again from Mon-Thu each week until Easter, so it's down to Misan to be the local project manager whilst I try to keep in touch by phone and email.  It has worked OK so far, although I did send one email to the planner instead of to Misan, signed off with love and kisses.  Maybe thats why he hasn't replied about our latest sketches yet!