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View from East side over wild pond - August 5 2014 |
After a further three months or so of seemingly endless "final" tasks we have (virtually) finished though more seeding and planting still remains to be done.
Following is a summary of the final aspects of the build.
With just two of us working a couple of days a week progress has been slow. Because the land is on three levels a full length block wall needed to be constructed the full length of the house with associated drainage and then faced with bricks - many from the original farmhouse.
Once this was complete the patio was built with steps to the upper garden and into the rear entrance and sun room.
Sections from the foundations from the original farmhouse were used to make a path and some natural stone (thank you freecycle!) used for edging. A range of native aquatic plants and two toads and two frogs discovered under the Cotswold stone.
The last pile of topsoil saved when digging the foundations was used to landscape the area leading down to the pond which is now being planted with trees and shrubs.
Milestones
What was the final timeline?
February 2011 - Moved into old mobile home on site; preliminary site surveys take place boundaries established and fenced; designer working on plans
April/May 2011 - Pre-planning application presentation completed and submitted mid-May; preliminary drainage and levelling of site. Solar PV installed on barn roof; veg plot fenced and recycled greenhouse erected
June 2011 - temporary wind turbine superceded by establishing grid connection - an interesting (and frustrating) experience over some months!
July/September 2011 - Planners slow to respond to application but after some intervention, eventually grant planning permission with 13 conditions 28 September
October/December 2011 - work on site to meet planning conditions including construction of bat loft in barn, selection of bricks & tiles, and levelling of site
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January 2012 - Conditions fulfilled and sent to SDC; demolition of old farmhouse and continued levelling of site
March/April 2012 - Footings dig to support brick walls; perimeter walls constructed and central core filled with old bricks ready for building passive slab.
May 2012 - Structural polystyrene (ESP) arrives but turns out to be the wrong material; replacement material arrives within four days with Air Packs in Ireland pulling out all the stops. What an incredible service! Slab complete day before timber frame arrives 28 May
June 2012 - Wettest "summer" for years. Timber frame erected under challenging conditions
July 2012 - Hemcreters arrive from Forest of Dean to mix and pour hemcrete under continuing torrential rain
August/September 2012 - Outer (non-structural) brick walls started at the same time as tiling commences; first of the large oak trusses moved into place. Crane arrives at end of month for the two very large oak window frames. Sun room frames also require crane to move into position. Oak porch uses man!
October 2012 - Cotswold Green Energy begin first fix plumbing; triple glazed windows arrive. Extensive reticel foam insulation through roof
December 2012 - Underfloor heating system laid out. Solar thermal evacuated tubes installed with Sigma tank for heating. Electricians begin first fix and MHVR team compete mechanical heat ventilation system. Small "Badger" Wood stove fitted and plasterers begin work
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January 2013 - Second fix electrics, plastering, plumbing and painting
March 2013 - Steve finishes oak staircases and carpets fitted upstairs;
May 2013 - Biopure septic tank installed and Nigel begins excavation for Stormsaver rainwater harvesting system
June/September 2013 - Finally moved in June whilst work continues and mobile home sold to young couple starting new build in Solihull
October 2013 - Lots more finishing work internally and landscaping/drainage externally.
Pair garage doors constructed from spare oak floorboards. Bespoke Wattbox energy management system installed with energy used remotely monitored from Cheltenham
November 2013 - Magnet ex-display kitchen and Everhot cooker installed
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May/June 2014 - House finally officially signed off after completing air test; work continues on walling at rear and construction of patio
August 2014 - Work on the pond finally completed and formal date of completion 4 August 2014
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