Author : Professor Michael Benfield PhD

Recap

Part 1 considered Playing by the ‘rules’ to increase the value of your property Part 2 continues with important considerations for anyone considering development

Planning Permission is not Building Regulation Approval

Before moving on it is important to emphasise that Planning Consent (Permission) is totally different from Building Regulation Approval Even if you don’t need a planning certificate, if the works involved are in any way structural you will almost always need a separate approval from your Building Control Department

Do-It-Yourself, or Engaging Professionals

Most people can fill in and submit planning application forms and pay the application fee

However, many people who are not well versed in interpreting and working the ‘planning rules’ may find understanding their project proposals in the context of the local development plans and policies (which all UK LPA’s must have) somewhat more challenging

If, therefore, your local Development Control Officer takes the view that an application is required, you could be well advised to at least seek the counsel of a planning professional

Minimising Local Authority Charges & Delays

You can still prepare drawings and documents yourself, providing you have the ability to produce something of a standard acceptable to the Development Control department However, since local authorities are progressively seeking to impose charges for consultations and consideration of submissions, it may be worthwhile paying someone else to look these over before submitting them

The Building Reg ‘Joker’

Here, it is the Building Regulations that become the joker in the pack Because of the technical detail and time required to prepare these, it is usually best not to expend this effort and cost before obtaining planning approval But if something in your proposal makes this ‘unbuildable’, or requires provisions that could have been avoided if the design had been approached in a slightly different way, a DIY approach may be more expensive than engaging someone else to do it for you

Architectural Technicians & Technologists

Don’t misunderstand me here Fully qualified Architects often get this wrong They may be good at concepts and creative ideas, but it is not unusual to find that what they have designed either needs modification before it can be built, or worse, cannot be built at all For this reason many of them employ architectural technicians, or technologists, who specialise in the technical aspects to check out, specify and ensure that their design is feasible

Feasibility ‘v- Viability

Can you afford it? Don’t overlook this when making your planning application In the excitement of designing and discussing your project ideas – whether or not using an architect – it is easy to get carried away with concepts and specifications that cost a lot of money They may be perfectly feasible, but not financially viable And if you subsequently have to amend you planning approval to build what you can afford, you may be faced with additional design and application costs and LPA fees This again is the realm of the architectural building technician Builders will also be able to advise, but will not take kindly to time wasters trying to get ‘free advice’ Remember, everyone’s time is valuable and, if you are trying to do things yourself, budget for the costs of getting professional, technical and expert advice

Consulting Neighbours & ‘Planners’

It doesn’t matter what is in your project proposal, go and show it to your neighbours as soon as possible Even if you can’t accommodate all their objections before making the application, you’ll at least be prepared and able to ask the relevant DCO in your local planning office how to address these

You are unlikely to get your Certificate of Planning Approval if your extension will overlook neighbouring property, or block out the light to their windows However, they may have no right to a ‘view’ and these, together with other technical and policy considerations need to be considered While many LPA’s used to offer free, informal advice, as noted above financial constraints are limiting the extent of this and causing some to charge fees for consultations While so far this tends to be for major development schemes, try to address as much as possible in one visit, then follow their recommendations – unless, of course, you want to challenge these

Making YOUR Application

Along with your completed planning application form, you will need to submit relevant drawings of the site, pedestrian and vehicular access, floor plans, elevations, as well as access (and possibly other) statements These may include tree and other surveys Three or more copies will be required

The LPA will check that everything has been included, ask for any other documents or clarifications they think are necessary They will then write to you acknowledging receipt and tell you how long it will take for them to check that your proposals comply with the local area plans & policies and conform to their ‘planning rules’

LPA Procedures

The ‘planners’ will then either put up ‘Planning Notices’ notices close to your property, stating what is proposed, or send them for you to put up They may also write to your immediate neighbours telling them what you want to do Within usually 8 weeks, all the facts concerning your application, including any objections received, will be considered and a decision made on whether a Grant of Planning Permission, should be made Because of the sheer weight of applications, some LPA’s now delegate this decision to an officer, or sub committee, leaving the full committee to handle applications for major development projects If yours is likely to be a ‘delegated decision’ it might be DCO (Development Control Officer) that you have already talked to

Grant, Conditional Grant, and Refusal of Planning Permission

If you have met all the requirements of the local area plan, policies, and officer’s recommendations (if any), and if there have been no ‘material’ objections, it is highly likely that your application will be granted However, increasingly most ‘planning approvals’ are given subject to planning conditions These cover things like protecting trees and tree roots, fencing, submission of materials for subsequent approval, and so on You may have to comply with these conditions before you start work on construction, or before the building can be occupied

If you don’t like, or agree with, any of the conditions you may re-work your proposals, re-submitting them with another application However, bear in mind all the costs and delays this will incur Alternatively you may ‘Appeal’ against this decision in the same way as if your application is refused

Planning Appeals

If you want to appeal against the Conditional Planning Certificate, or Notice of Refusal of Planning Permission that you receive, you can make an appeal to HM Planning Inspectorate They will check that the LPA followed all the ‘planning rules’, and that the reasons for the conditions or refusal comply with Government requirements and are legitimate If not, they may reverse the LPA’s decision and grant permission Again, this may be either conditional or unconditional

Appeals can be made in person, which is to say at a hearing in front of the Planning Inspector, who is very widely experienced and specially qualified to hear appeals, or in writing However you make your appeal, you will have to explain what mistakes you think were made This involves the need for a good understanding of planning law, as well as local policies and plans

If your builder, designer or architect think an appeal would not succeed, it might be better for you to talk to the planning officers again with a view to making a new application taking all the objections that will have been listed on your Planning Decision If you feel the officer you are dealing with is stonewalling you, especially if the decision was delegated to him or her, it could be worth trying to get a meeting with the head of the department If you can, get the individual officer to suggest this, rather than overtly falling out with, or offending him or her

The Government’s Planning Portal

Because many people find the Planning Rules complicated and confusing, the UK Government has set out a series of excellent explanations on their ‘Planning Portal websites It might take you a little time to go through these, but if you find this brief article does not give you the answers you are looking for, it would certainly be worth taking the time to study

Four Things to Remember

1 Before starting, research local plans & policies, checking your interpretation of these with your DCO

2 If you don’t have, get, or observe conditions on your planning permission, your project may be unlawful

3 The LPA can halt building works and instruct you to demolish or correct anything that does not comply with their planning rules They can take you to Court of you do not comply

4 Planning Rules are there to protect you and your neighbourhood, even if they don’t always suit you

Disclaimer

This article applies to England and is an introductory guide only

Dr Michael Benfield chairs timbertecs, providing planning, Building Reg & design services to House-Builders, Developers & Self Builders + Home & Garden Centre, timber frame specialists Simply Self Build, Beamlock Building Co and Benfield ATT. As visiting Professor of Civil & Construction Engineering with University of Wales Newport, he regularly talks, present & writes internationally on planning, timber, housing, construction & related issues

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Author : Matt Helphrey

Watches are not only used as a way to tell us the time anymore They are used as a fashion statement and as a way to express your unique style and personality The watch that you wear can say a lot about you Here are a few things to consider when looking for the perfect fit for you

Watches can go with just about any style you can think of Some watches will make you look more professional and classy while others have a more formal and casual look There are watches that are sporty and sleek or in your face bold and flashy Whatever the occasion, you can find a watch to help you bolster your image even more so

When choosing your watch, you’ll have to consider first if you want analog or digital The main difference is that the digital watch is simply an electronic watch that displays the time and runs its functions through battery power and electricity An analog watch is just the old school watches that run usually by a turn crank or winder You would just have to keep the winder cranked enough so that the watch continues to run

Digital watches are going to be more accurate than the analogs because you never have to worry about them stopping (unless of course they run out of battery) You will also have many more features on a digital watch than you would on an analog watch Some of them include stop watch, alarm, calculator, and even a lit up display so you can see the time at night in the darkness

An analog watch is very nice in its own right though even without the technology They have a nice classic look and feel to them The classic look and old school style also makes a great fashion statement for various occasions

A watch in any regard can make a great gift for men and women The next time you think about buying your significant other a piece of jewelry, why not consider a diamond or gold watch? Some of these pieces look absolutely stunning and their bling shows off a lot more than any old earring or necklace

You don’t really even have to spend a lot to find a nice looking watch either Even though the real designer and name brand watches will cost you a pretty penny, some of the knock offs or replica watches will look just as good and for a small fraction of the price

Search the internet for all of the different brands and styles of watches to see what you can find There is an unlimited amount of selection and you can even find used watches for cheap Buying online also provides you the shopping experience without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home

Find more information about Mens Digital Watches, including where to find them online and cheap. See our choices for the Best Mens Watches and why we think they are so great.

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Author : Autumn Lockwood

With so many photo frames to choose from, it may seem a little overwhelming searching for the perfect frame for your pictures So, what’s the best way to narrow down your choices? You should first start off with asking yourself these three questions

#1 – Who is the picture frame for?

Is the frame to display your own pictures or is it a gift for someone else? Understanding the personal taste and preferences of the person receiving the frame will make it a lot easier in choosing a frame If the frame is for someone else, think about the types of decor they have in their house or apartment Here are just a few questions to think about if you’re buying a frame for someone else: – Do they have a lot of wood tones in their home or a lot of metal decorations? – Are the tones in their home warm colors like brown, beige or red or cool tones like white, silver or blue? – Do the items they own have very simple clean lines? Or, do they prefer more decorative and ornate features?

Or, if you’re buying a frame as a gift for a special occasion it can be a lot easier to find a nice frame because many frame retailers organize their frames by occasion like weddings, a birth of a baby, birthdays, anniversaries and graduations

A quality frame retailer will offer a large selection of photo frames in a wide variety of prices You can find nice quality picture frames for less than $10 and as high as $500 for frames like sterling silver or real jeweled frames That is why the next question is so important

#2 – Will it fit your budget?

If you are like most economy conscious consumers, you have a budget This is helpful because it helps to further narrow down your picture frame choices Picture frames on average can cost from $10 to over $50 depending upon the frame size and type of material Special keepsake frames like sterling silver can cost well over $100 a frame It’s important to choose a photo frame that suits both your style and your budget

#3 – Where will the frame be used?

Any photo frame you select should always complement your picture If your picture frame is a gift, it is a good idea to go with a classic look, like a solid wood frame or a metal picture frame that will enhance a wider selection of photos and fit into most types of decor

You should also consider getting a photo frame that comes with both hanging hardware and an easel back stand for displaying on a table In terms of size, you should always stay with standard photo frame sizes Sizes like 8×10, 5×7 and 4×6 are always a good choice

When buying a picture frame for yourself it’s always a good idea to know which photo you want to display That way you’ll select a photo frame that fits your decor and goes with your picture instead of detract from it A quality frame retailer will be happy to assist you if you are not sure which frame will look best with your picture Free design services are offered by many quality frame retailers All you have to do is ask for help

By answering these three questions, you will be on your way to quickly and easily selecting the perfect picture frame for your photos

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames.com and loves taking pictures. Your Picture Frames offers a large selection of quality picture frames so you’ll always find exactly what you want. If you’re not sure what kind of frame to get, check out our black picture frames because black goes with everything. If you have questions give us a call at 1-800-780-0699 or visit us online at YourPictureFrames.com.

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Author : Rick Rakauskas

According to Montessori, the child’s first instinct is to carry out his actions by himself, without anyone helping him, and his first conscious bid for independence is made when he defends himself against those who try to do the action for him

From the time a child is born to the time he turns three, a child experiences meaningful changes Some changes may be adorable and dynamic while some may be unpleasant and ghastly

The early stage of a child’s life is essential, something understood in any good Gold Coast Montessori centre He develops his own character

Hence, a parent should meticulously guide a child without intervening a child’s innate developmental stage When a child wants to play on the swings, he should not be restricted to do so Instead, he should be allowed to play and to have fun

But the parent must always look after him Guide your child as often as you can This assures that a child is not put in a perilous situation However, there are times that a child does not need guidance

He wants to try things on his own

He acts bravely and strongly, wanting to try what his surrounding offers This period is the start of his being independent, a trait well understood if you are seeking a Gold Coast Montessori education for your child

Notice how many times he says “no” every time you offer help? Sooner or later, he wants to be independent It should not be mistaken as a negative trait Instead, it should be welcomed and appreciated

Development and growth is what he needs to succeed

There are two main points why a child wants to be independent

Firstly, freedom entitles him to be independent If a child learns that he can control the movement of his hands and feet, a child becomes aware that those are not the only ones that he can control Instead, he can control his actions and decisions as well He is entitled to do things on his own

Lastly, a child’s development affects his innate will to be independent Independence is natural in every child It shows and proves that he is progressing into a complete human being

He wants to be free After knowing that there is so much to discover and to explore, a child does not want to be restrained from the objects around him A child’s curiosity and will to learn create his independence

In sum, a child must be given freedom and independence. He should not be restricted nor prevented from doing something that makes him a complete human being. At Fridays Child Gold Coast Montessori, freedom and independence are highly taught and recognized.

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Author : Gayelord Nash

Whether you have experienced a simple water leak, flooding in your basement, or extensive flooding in your house due to a hurricane, you would inevitably encounter water damage and need to have it attended to immediately Water damage, unless immediately arrested, can result in the total loss of your valuables as well as a huge expense for restoration The first thing you must know is that there are three categories of water damage The type of removal, cleanup and restoration you will have to do will depend upon which category your water damage falls

The first category is called clean water damage This occurs as the result of rainwater, or perhaps a pipe bursting in your home Clean water usually does not contain contaminants that would be harmful to living things Very often, it can be cleaned by locating the area where the source of the leak is, and stopping that leak After you stop the leak water extraction should take place immediately afterwards This will involve getting all the standing water out and allowing the place and all the things in it to dry Carpets that have been under water for more than three days should be removed and replaced The concrete slab underneath it will also have to be treated and dried to ensure that no moisture is left that will invade the new carpet The drying period for concrete can take up to five days

The second category, called gray water, is where there is some level of contamination in the water This kind of water is unsafe for human consumption Gray water usually comes from flooding due to the break down of household appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, or refrigerator It could also come from the overflowing of a toilet that has no human excrement in it, or a chemically treated source of water such as an aquarium or a waterbed Overflows of gray water should be treated immediately, and with safety precautions Unless you are sure of what you are doing, it is best to call a professional – maybe a plumber or cleaning service – to extract the water The area will then have to be dried out and some sort of antimicrobial treatment should be applied to the wet area and objects

The third category is black water, and is the most dangerous category of water Black water usually occurs from floods, a sewer backup, or the overflow of anything that contains contaminants that are harmful if consumed, such as a toilet with human excrement in it It is often difficult to distinguish between grey water and black water, and the color or look of the water can be deceptive If you are not sure of the cause of the flood, we suggest that you contact a professional, who will assess the type of water you have and take measures to clean it up appropriately

Water damage of any category, unless treated immediately, can cause the growth of organisms that are harmful to your health Even if what you have is clean water damage, mold and mildew usually grow within hours and could affect your home It becomes more dangerous the longer the water – whether clean, gray or black – is left to stand Grey and black water damage, because of the contaminants in it, can cause chemical reactions aside from mold growth, and are more dangerous

If the water level in your home is more than one foot deep or larger than 10 square feet, call a professional right away Dilly dallying or waiting for it to subside may be harmful to your health as well as that of your family members By taking action quickly, you will be able to mitigate the extent of the damage, salvage more possessions and keep you and your family’s health safe

Gayelord Nash researches restoration items for homeowners for water damage restoration and Saddle Rock, NY Water Damage Restoration

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