Construction Studies Notes

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Types of Planning Permission

Outline This is used to establish whether the planning authority agrees in principle with the proposed building plan, without the need to draw up detailed plans and documents.

Approval This involves seeking permission to construct the building suggested when the outline approval was received. Detailed drawings and documents are required at this stage.

Permission This involves seeking permission in one step. Detailed drawings and documents are required.

Retention This involves seeking permission to retain or keep a building that has been constructed without planning permission. Detailed drawings and documents are required and if the application is rejected the building will have to be demolished.

Principles of Conservation

- Retain or restore the historical significance of the building.
- Carry out proper research before beginning construction work.
- Make the minimum physical intervention possible.
- Maintain the visual surroundings and setting.
- Reversibility (make sure changes can be undone in future if necessary)

Windows

- Sliding Sash, used for 200 years from the 18th Century.
- uPVC copies should not be used in old heritage sites as they don't look well and don't fit the proportions.

Weather Resistance
- Thick walls previously built to prevent moisture from entering the house.
- The cavity prevents any moisture absorbed in the external leaf from reaching the inner leaf. The outer leaf of the wall protects the inner leaf from weathering.

Fire Resistance
- The fire resistance of a wall is determined by the materials used in its construction.
- Concrete walls are naturally fire resistant because concrete is not a combustible material.
- The requirement for instance depends on the height of the building, floor area and the function.
- The minimum requirement for fire resistance of walls in conventional housing is that the walls stay standing for 30 minutes so that people can get out.