Surely there is a big difference between an extension to an existing
property and a new development? Your condition seems to be more applicable
to a new development. One of my jobs outside of research is working with a
friend on building extensions and conservatories on existing properties. In
all cases concrete floors covered over with vapour barrier membrane and
insulation panels are used, and in 100% of these extensions the integrity
of the extension is greater than that of the house onto which the extension
is being built! My personal opinion is that the conditions you are imposing
are unreasonable in terms of both timeframe and costs incurred by the owner
of the existing property. You would be better off just making it a
condition of building regs approval that a vapour barrier is in place right
from the start as the cost of this is only a few pounds and is
insignificant with respect to time when being incorporated within the build.
Regards
Pete Millis
Centre for Environmental Research
School of Life Sciences
University of Sussex
Falmer
Brighton BN1 9QJ
--On 14 August 2007 10:49 +0100 Mark Newman <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I asked a similar question a while back, but didn't get much of a
> response.
>
> I am getting a lot of planning applciations for extensions/conservatories
> within 250m of closed landfill sites. I have recently started using the
> condition:
>
> "Prior to commencement of development, a site investigation shall be
> carried out to include monitoring for methane gas. Monitoring should
> include sampling for methane, oxygen and carbon dioxide and should be
> carried out over a period of at least 2 months with a minimum of 8
> readings taken ? spike testing will not be accepted. The report,
> together with any recommendations for remedial works, must be submitted
> to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. Such remedial
> works must be carried out prior to commencement of construction works.
> Prior to the discharge of this condition, details of any remedial
> measures used shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority."
>
> Am i justified in asking for this, or would the condition below be
> suitable for these types of applcation:
>
> "A gas impermeable membrane should be incorporated within the structure.
> Any services entering/leaving the structure should be located above the
> gas impermeable membrane or adequate seals will have to be provided if
> the membrane has to be breached. Prior to the works commencing, details
> of the gas impermeable membrane should be submitted to and approved by
> the LPA."
>
>
> We have very little information regarding gas monitoring in the past, and
> what we do have is about 15 years old. So i cannot make a reliable
> judgement about whether or not the site is gassing. It is this
> uncertainty that makes me want to request gas monitoring each time....
>
> Any input on this would be very gratefully appreciated.
>
> Many thanks,
> Mark
>
> (Dover DC)
>
>
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