MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM EXTENSION TO G2 THATCH ROOF

[CHRIS]

Could anyone tell me what the minimum distance allowed is between a new extension on a non listed house but in a conservation area and an existing thathched roof? I have been told 800mm - is this correct? and is this from the extreme nearest points or just the walls

many thanks

 

[andrew gayton]

who advised you of that one, the fire service?

 

[Stephen]

No such thing as far as I am aware.

It used to be the case that it was thought necesary to be certain distances away to comply with Fire Regs, but that was back in the 1980s and 1990s. During the 1990s the number of new thatched buildings in Dorset meant they had to find a way of complying with fire regs, deal with concerns, etc and yet build terraces and near existing buildings, etc. As a result the Fire Services, Building Control and Conservation Officers got together and developed something now commonly called the 'Dorset Model' as a way of achieving various objectives when new build thatch, etc. http://www.dorset-technical-committee.org.uk/reports/report1.asp

You should also look at the Fire service stuff: http://www.dorsetfire.co.uk/topic.asp?Content=982&TopicID=199#982
You will see a list of additional topics on the left hand side on this page. If you follow them through you will find a series of articles giving advice on various matters.

In East Anglia the East Anglia Master Thatchers Association developed something similar some years ago. I cannot find anything on the web, but you could contact EAMTA http://www.eamta.co.uk and ask them.
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[CHRIS]

I was not told that it was 0.8 for thatch but 0.8 for any roof from an Architect in an office on our site! I am worried about an extension near me being built next to a friends place - its a nice design but a few details seem strange.

thanks

 

[Stephen]

Ask him where he got that from?

I know in the past there were issues regarding such distances, but did not think they applied now.

 

[Stephen]

Another thought.

He could be talking about planning rules rather than building regs.

What about Party Wall matters? Are these being considered?

 

[CHRIS]

Stephen

I have talked to local Council and he says the same as you that it is a party wall / planning matter not a building regs matter (I am only a few miles from you other side of the airport). I have draw a plan of the area with a few dims and sent it over to the planning office to see what they say.

thanks again