Sulphate attack on concrete floor slabs

Andrew WilliamsBooks, Surveying

Solid ground floor slabs can suffer from sulphate attack.  This is a serious problem because the floor slabs sometimes expand causing structural damage to the main load bearing walls of a building. Sulphate attack occurs when the contents of the hardcore fill material that has been used beneath the floor slab contains Sulphate and there is enough moisture in the … Read More

The leaning Tower of London.

Andrew WilliamsSurveying

London can now rival Pisa. It would seem that Big Ben has developed a distinct lean and it’s getting worse every year. At the present moment the top of the tower is now almost one and a half feet off the perpendicular, a difference so substantial that the tower can now be seen to be leaning with the naked eye.

Plannning Applications

Andrew WilliamsExtensions

Andrew R Williams & Associates can advise on planning matters and prepare and submit the necessary documentation. Services extend from preliminary advice regarding planning matters to the presentation of planning appeals at public hearings. Typically, we can: Provide advice on planning matters, Agree with the client an appropriate planning strategy, and Submit a planning application for the required works. This may … Read More

Party Wall Work

Andrew WilliamsParty Wall

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 introduced a procedure for resolving disputes between owners of neighbouring properties, arising as a result of one owner’s intention to carry out works which would affect the party wall, involve the construction of a party wall or boundary wall at or adjacent the line of junction between the two properties or excavation within certain … Read More

Is there Japanese Knotweed on your site? Identifying and dealing with this invader

Andrew WilliamsSurveying

As part of the planning process, most building sites have to be inspected by a qualified arborialist. What if the arborialist’s report indicates that there is Japanese Knotweed lurking on part of the site? Legal requirements Environmental Protection Act 1990 Japanese Knotweed is classified as ‘controlled waste’ and as such must be disposed of safely at a licensed landfill site … Read More

Permitted Development Rights

Andrew WilliamsExtensions

You can make certain types of minor changes to your house without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called “permitted development rights“. When we are preparing plans for home extensions, we always check to ensure that if full planning permission is not required the home owner can avoid applying. Sometimes we will advise them to request a Lawful Development … Read More

Party Wall Advice

Andrew WilliamsParty Wall

The Party Wall Etc Act 1996 sets out strict parameters where Notice has to be given by one owner to his neighbour in respect of work he proposes to carry out. Not only does this cover the excavation of foundations for a conservatory, extensions or new property, but also such small items as removal of chimneys, cutting into party walls … Read More

Andrew R Williams & Associates Ltd now Fast Track Accredited Planning Agents.

Andrew WilliamsNews

Andrew R Williams & Associates Ltd / Plans2extend have been accepted as Fast Track Accredited Agent by St Helens Council for agents submitting householder planning applications. All householder applications submitted to St Helens Council on the Planning Portal by accredited agents will be registered by the Council within 1 working day of receipt.  The agent will also be notified by … Read More