Continued costs

Still waiting for planning permission. The process takes 8 weeks and so far it's cost us £1300 for the architect's drawings and planning application. Oh yes and £150 to apply for buildings regulations. Today we have a tree surveyor drawing a sketch of the western boundary of our property, identifying tree types and taking photographs. One of the neighbours has objected to our plans, based party on the fact he has trees on the boundary. The planning department has asked for tree survey so they can work out what we'd need to do to protect said trees. There goes another £250. Still, it's nice to talk to the surveyor and learn what's in the garden - a massive beech tree at the end of the drive, a laburnam and some fruit trees (he's not sure what fruit so we'll wait for summer). Structural engineer has dropped us a line. He wants £750 to tell us where to put the steel in the roof. House continues to bleed money from every brick.