Thursday, December 21, 2006

Wheelie bins in Edinburgh

Wheelie bins in Edinburgh sizes and dimensions and types:


Basically you get a two wheelies - a green one for everyday trash and a brown one for garden waste. Green one is picked up once a week - the brown one seems to be every blue moon.

There are an additional two recycling crates, one is for glass and tin cans, the other's for cardboard. There are two big bags for newspapers too.

(There are on street recycling bins for plastics and papers and any other recycling.)

The wheelies are 600mm wide by 750mm deep and 1100mm high.
The small crates are 570mm wide by 450mm deep by 350mm high.

If you have a big family (3 kids or more I think) you get a bigger trash wheely but I ain't got one to measure. I've seen one though and it's huge. Better leave about 850mm squarex1100mm high

Thanks and credit to my sister!

Neighbour notification

With planning applications you need to notify neighbours.
From application form D1 page 7



What do you need to send?

(1) a completed copy of the “NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION” form provided with the application form;

(2) a copy of a location plan showing the site of the proposed development.

(3) a copy of the guidance note “ADVICE TO NEIGHBOURS”.

If the neighbouring property is DOMESTIC (a house/flat), 2 copies of each of the above 3 items must be sent, one addressed to “The Owner” and the other to “The Occupier”.

If the neighbouring property is NON-DOMESTIC, a copy of each of the above 3 items must be sent ... to “The Owner”, “The Lessee”, and “The Occupier” ... [of] the neighbouring property.

In my case this would be like this:


Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Write to them

Democracy in action. The write to them website gives you all you need to know to get involved and write to your COUNCILLOR / MSP / MP / MEP

Planning application

Phew getting planning permission is a drag! And I've only just started reading the permission form and guidance...

Here is the South Elevation that I am preparing as part of my application


application history


Here is the list of applications for my site. More information at Edinburgh City Planning Portal

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Colour in Edinburgh

I'm starting to feel that Edinburgh and the UK in general are too over regulated. Not that I disagree with the points made here its just... well have a read of the edited version (the real thing is 8 pages long):

CITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
DEVELOPMENT QUALITY HANDBOOK
Colour of Buildings
Approved
22 July 1999

■ POLICY CONTEXT

Local plan policies promote high quality design and protect the character and appearance of listed buildings and conservation areas. For example, policy CD19 of the Central Edinburgh Local Plan states:

“The Council will permit alterations and extensions to buildings which in their design and form, choice of materials and positioning are compatible with the character of the original building, will not result in an unreasonable loss of privacy or natural light to neighbouring properties and are not detrimental to neighbourhood amenity and character. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring that works to listed buildings and non listed buildings within conservation areas do not damage their special character”.

■ SCOPE OF GUIDANCE

This guideline applies city-wide to proposals for new buildings or to change the colour of existing buildings.

1. COLOUR OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

a) The predominant materials and colours of existing good quality neighbouring buildings should generally be reflected in the choice of colours for new development. Colours should reflect, complement and be part of the design characteristics of the new building and the streetscene in general. Large areas of incongruous colours which are not “earth colours” or “natural colours” must be avoided. Stone and brick walls should not be painted.

b) In areas where the Scottish Vernacular style predominates, there is scope for allowing a more innovative treatment such as the use of coloured rendering on facades, although it will usually be inappropriate to use strong, non-traditional colours on large and prominent areas of walls and roofs.

(i) Large expanses of assertive and brightly coloured surfaces should be avoided. They can emphasise bulk and make a facade look overwhelming.

(ii) Contrasting shades of colour can help to accentuate and link proportions between new and old buildings, give variety and interest, and help to break the scale of bulky elevational compositions. They can also help to enliven the streetscene.

(iii) Architectural details can be picked out in neutral tones or highlighted to contrast with their background.

(iv) Buildings that have roofs darker than their walls tend to create a more stable and robust effect and are encouraged.

(v) For major new buildings and complexes in a modern style, the choice of colours should reflect the context but also be an intrinsic part of the architectural design concept. In such cases, colours of buildings will be assessed on their individual merits, taking into account texture/context and aesthetic balance.

(vi) Innovative schemes of demonstrable quality may justify a departure from recommended guidance, and provided they are acceptable in the context of their surroundings

Revised design again




Simplified design, smaller corner window new velux roof lights.

Flues

Okay so most people know that flues from boilers etc are a bit more complex. Here are the regulations on placement from gas fired appliances. The risks are again, fire but more likely noxious gases in the extract.


The humble chimney

Who knew that chimneys were so complex?

Here are the Scottish guidlines on chimney location, the aim being to avoid setting the house on fire when the chimney goes on fire (a relatively frequent occurance)

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Velux windows



This is one of the Velux range of windows. It is a vertical bit with the more usual 'in roof' window that velux are famous for attached.

Below are the prices and dimensional options. I'm considering the 1400x780 with 600mm deep vertical window. 558 pounds sterling (2006 catalogue prices).

Sunday, December 03, 2006

December update


December 4th update

The house is starting to rationalise itself: I am starting to get real and cutting inaffordable things. Outwardly not massive changes just tweaks... Still not resolve dthe glazing to the west yet.




interior image (ignore the cooker hood that's just for showing something)



The engineering issues (sent to my structural engineer Tall Engineers)