Penguin68

The volume regs pertaining to extensions were changed nearly 5 years ago... I had thought that previous changes to a house were taken into account for all extensions under permitted development, and that these were volume based. Where planning permission is applied for (i.e. not 'permitted development' - which, if agreed to be permitted' is covered simply by building regs and part wall agremeents and any planning rules on roof heights) then the linear and not cubic dimensions are the drivers - these having to meet planning rules.

I should have added that the rules for permitted development work out the volume increase from the original plan - so any extension work done previously counts towards the total volume increase, unless it can be shown that the earlier work dated from before the War. However loft space (within the original footprint) isn't included - so loft extensions are for the volumes which don't fall within the original roof-space.

Rules on permitted development are based also around cubic metre extension - so you have to work out the volume and not just the external (square) dimensions. A friend going for an extension large enough to come under planning laws (not just permitted development) tried to get a semi-detached neighbour to submit a joint extension submission (and offered to pay for it) which would have given the neighbour planning permission to extend (without any obligation to) which would have increased their house value had they chosen to sell. Didn't work in this case, neighbour didn't want to play and moaned about light - although mostly they are lit fom the other side when the sun is round the back - but it is known to work - was suggested by their architect.

Foxy BT should supply the HomeHub with the service (it's quite good) - Infinity comes with 2 boxes - modem/ router/ firewall and a separate modem to handle fibre. I would be quite surprised if you are offered FTTC (fibre to the curb) - I had thought fibre to the cabinet (with copper drop wires) was still standard in ED. Where is your Master socket? That is also changed out when Infinity is installed. Or it was with mine. The service is taken from the master socket direct to the (first) modem. Because of the regulatory separation the network connectivity is installed by BT Openreach (the supplier to all retail services, BT and competitor) and the Infinity service by, I guess, BT Retail. Hence I think the reason for what is, in effect, 2 modems. When mine was initially installed the BB worked fine, but the voice connection was down - that was simply fixed (jumpering in the cabinet), but it's worth checking- the Openreach guy just checked the data speeds initially, I picked up for dial tone. Compared with what you say you're getting, Infinity is blisteringly fast - but I was getting 8Mgb (up to 16) on ADSL2. Amended to say, ADSL2

Foxy If you already have a BT supplied service and are using a BT HomeHub (as described) you probably have already done the necessary to set-up your ports. The underlying network (fibre - Infinity, or copper - ADSL) should not impact your configuration (they are just dumb pipes) - the ports are literally doorways through your own security system (firewall) which is provided by the HumeHub. There is a second modem involved with BT Infinity - but that, I think, is just a modem (it alters the signal - MOdulates/DEModulates it) - your firewall and security is in the HomeHub. There is 'intelligence' at the exchange end of your network (for ADSL what are known as line-cards - I think fibre has its own line cards) - but these are not associated with security or access into your private domain.

BT Infinity is the fibre to the cabinet service - it is available in ED (at least, I have it) and provides faster up and downloads than ADSL (over copper pair). The last link is over copper. It will need to be installed by BT - you cannot self-install. I have found the service to be reliable (give or take) and quite fast - speeds deteriorate significantly if you use wireless connectivity around the house - via ethernet it is as advertised (pretty well). I use Infinity 2. Depending on the package, Infinity offers 'true' unlimited usage. Good news, regarding BT - is that all support services are over 0800 numbers (i.e. free to call from landlines) and in general helpful. I have had to use it very rarely for the Infinity Service - there was a local outage in ED about 5 months ago - cleared in an hour or so. All I have to remember to do every so often (once a month or less) is to re-set the two modems that are given with the service - and that's more a matter of good housekeeping than necessity. Most of my problems have been with my own equipment (software, wireles hardware) and not with the network broadband service. I tend to work 'always-on' which isn't ideal, which is why problems build. I have had up to 7 or 8 bits of kit using the service simulataneously (I have family) - no real problems with that amount of connectivity.

Another thread on this forum http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1077851,1095061,page=2#msg-1095061 shows that neighbour problems are not just about something like a hostel next door. Indeed a properly run hostel (as opposed to a private common lodging house let-out to a council for 'problem' lets) is probably more easy to negotiate with where there is a nuisance.

I have been drinking S London water since 1975 - and really enjoy it - look forward to a glass of London tap when I'm travelling abroad - if it really tastes that nasty you must get it checked. Is it mains or via a cold-water tank (if that's not properly covered, things can get in, and then die!) You said cooking water tastes bad - in houses kitchen taps are normally mains sourced - but in flats they may come via a cistern. Advice to try out other tap water is good, if it tastes bad to you as well - then you may just have a very unlucky response to London minerals.

Curiously, read in a certain light, some of these arguments parallel those put by (and against) the NRA concerning gun control in the US. "Guns don't kill, people kill." "It's everyones right to have a gun." etc. etc. Even down to training and licencing. I am not suggesting that guns are the equivalent of dogs, but still...

You need to make sure (if you can) that your gate is hinged so that it cannot simply be lifted out of its hinges - often that means reversing the hanging pins so that the top pin is screwed into place 'upside down' once the gate is placed into the bottom pin. This does mean that the weight of the gate rests solely on the bottom hinge-pin - which is mechanically less sound than it resting on bottom and top, but is it more secure against casual theft. It also makes it more awkward for maintenance/ repainting (it has to be painted in situ or unscrewed). If the whole fitment is cast-iron of course you are a bit stuck. But pins screwed in to a wooden post are manageable.

I think there is significant difference between a 'private' hostel and one run by authorities for a particular purpose. As described by stacey-lyn this sound more like a common lodging house used by local authorities as a short-term fix than a 'hostel' designed for purpose. The house next to us was turned into a common lodging house for a short time, a lodger there was in fact murdered (not in the house). It wasn't a good experience, but more because of the transient nature of the 'lodgers' (one never knew who was legitimately there) than for noticeable disruptions. There are many different types of hostels - some clearly do have disruptive people in them, many are simply vulnerable. It very much depends how they are run, but many can be run well. I think I would rather be next to a (properely run) hostel, where the 'problems' on an individual basis tend to be short-lived than living next to a 'nightmare' family - with constantly crying children, barking dogs or loud music. Or many other annoyances which I cannot expect (relatively) quickly to go. Of course I'd even more like to live next to a family as wonderful, quiet, unassuming and delightful as my own (there doesn't seem to be a 'smiley' for irony)

It is a shame that there is no 'like' facility on this forum, such that I have to take up message space to 'like' what Councillor Hilton (for whom I do not, would not and indeed could not, vote) has written here. There is a wide gap between political debate (good) and calumny and invective (bad). The OP seems to have chosen the latter (and not bothered to read previous wholly informative threads about the origin of the yellow lines). And SHOUTED at us.

I think you'll find that there are far fewer sympathisers towards the rights of man than towards the rights of dog on this forum. Thomas Paine must be spinning like a top. (And, yes, I did know he meant 'mankind' but in the 18th century that (considering voting rights etc.), did pretty well mean man)

I am not, and have never been, a reader of the Daily mail. We have had two incidences of what appears to be mindless violence, one in S London, one deriving from S London links, which happened close in time (within 24 hours of each other). I would prefer to think that one was an emotional overspill from the other rather than assuming that there is an infinite regression of mindless thugs in operation. Of course, I don't know that this is true, but I am hypothesising, but not offering any evidence, that this might be so. The facts of mindless violence appear clear, one was widely reported, the other only reported here, but to my mind very credibly. The perpetrators, by description, of the second, are at least credible as being part of the demographic involved in the first set of violence. Of course, violent thugs in S London are not all Millwall fans, of course most Millwall fans are not violent thugs but it does seem clear that the two sets - violent thugs in S London and Millwall fans do have some intersect. People already wound-up by one incident seem, psychologically, to be more likely to expand their sphere of violence than, everything else being equal, those not already wound-up.

That sort of assumption can really cause trouble Penguin. In what way? (and indeed, how?)- it wasn't an assumption - I made it clear that it was an hypothesis presented without evidence - but a violent incident in S London immediately followed a series of violent incidents preciptated by people supporting a S London (and local) football team. I made it clear that I had no evidence that the thugs involved were even football fans, let alone Millwall fans. But this appears to be a rage driven piece of mindless violence - as were, as reported, the incidents at Wembley. Or are you anticipating that the large number of Millwall fans who read this Forum will not understand the concept of hypothesis and will somehow kick off a set of violent acts in order to demonstrate that they are not that sort of person?

Although I clearly have no evidence at all for this - 2 thugs as described, in S London, immediately following the Millwall led fighting at Wembley the day before - it wouldn't surprise me to hear that these were local 'fans' still fired up from the bust-up on Saturday and ready to go-off on one at the drop of a hat, particularly considering their team had lost a semi-final. This, make it clear, is not an accusation, there is, as I have said, no evidence that these were Millwall, or indeed any type of football fan, but the spacial and temporal proximity of the events could conceiveably have additionally a causality link.

Actually it doesn't quite work like that. When a property has been in continuing use for an established period, even where planning permission was not awarded, it can still be a legal use through custom and practice. I can't remember the actual time-frames required. Clearly the sign (which I suspect did replace an earlier sign) may be considered 'new' but the use of that site for commercial enterprises dates back - I would guess, a good 20 years or more, which probably establishes it without specific planning permission (if it wasn't) being given.

Apologies for above posts - feeling somewhat grumpy and full of spleen. But I still do worry what harm the guys in Tyrrell road, with whom I have no financial connection, are doing getting on with their businesses? They have a sign, useful to find them. Does it effect someone's ancient lights, is it so un-aesthetic that it offends sensibilities? Or is it feared that the fact that commercial activity is happening there may impact house prices? There's been commercial activity on that site for years.

No - trying to pre-empt the Nimby's friend from stopping something entrepreneurial - we've already had the 'nice folks don't need to have a snack late at night' - which started off as an 'application for an all-night drinks licence - lets stop it now' plea before it become clear it wasn't an applications for a 24 hour drinks licence - and of course there's the 'stop M&S campaign'. And the 'introduce controlled parking to keep out the foreign commuters' plan. I just didn't want another opportunity to be run as friend of the people - let's stamp out a vibrant community sally.

Rianoo You clearly want some 'evidence' to re-assure you that this attack was in some sense justified - i.e. that it is still safe for someone who doesn't 'ask for it' to go into the park. Being attacked by someone is never justified - violence is never an acceptable response (self defence may be - but are you now suggesting that this jogger attacked two men with a dog, who just defended themselves, and then that he lied to his partner and to the police?) Actually, bad news, if the thugs have taken over the park - you should be afraid.

Challenging the Tyrrell Road trading estate as being without planning permission.

Rianoo I do realise you are trolling this site to raise a response - but really 'jogger gets a thick lip' - where, out of thin air, with no human agency? - and, as described - rather more damage than that. You clearly wish to associate your views with these thugs - it's is a shame that co-action can't be retrospective or joining them in spirit would entail joining them in the dock.

Oh yes, James, let's drive small businesses employing people out of business here, these aren't the sort of people we want in ED (why, some of them are manual workers!!!). Not when we can attract laywers, bankers and (allegedly) dodgy journalists to grace our expensive housing. Quick, rush for the planning rules - maybe we can get rid of more nasty commercial enterprises to keep our middle class streets safe.

kick my dog deserve a kicking I think, from what the OP wrote, it's actually 'my dog runs into you, deserve a kicking'... The dog may, or may not, have been a causus belli - but it was the thugs who decided to attack a jogger, and who apparently caused his injuries. If the dog was aggressive or poorly trained, then it's his thuggish owners, again, who take responsibilty for that. It's people, people, all the way here.

I have seen quite serious accidents caused by dogs (not aggressive or dangerous) running into, tripping, jumping up on or simply startling people. If you are running, a dog running into your path can easily trip you or cause you to stumble. Or you can run into it, kicking it in the process. Old or physically vulnerable people (i.e. with sticks or crutches etc.), children, all are even more at accidental risk from entirely 'friendly' dogs. Hence the need for dogs to be controlled/ on leads (and long leads with a dog not in control turn straight into trip wires).