Essential advice on your problems with building, budgeting, DIY &planning from the most experienced names in the self build industry

PLANNING

Martin Gaine runs planning consultancy Just Planning (www.just-planning.co.uk).

A former case officer, he has experience on both sides of the planning divide and now specialises in helping homeowners win consent at appeal. He is the author of How to Get Planning Permission: An Insider’s Secrets.

FINANCE

Rachel Pyne is director of financial services at BuildStore (www.buildstore.co.uk). She has worked in self build finance for over 10 years and deals with a diverse portfolio of lenders across the whole market as well as on exclusive self build and renovation mortgage products.

SUSTAINABILITY

Nigel Griffiths is director of the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (www.stbauk. org) and a consultant working mainly on energy efficiency policy and evaluation. He is the author of the Haynes Eco House Manual.

TIMBER FRAME

Simon Orrells is the managing director of self build timber frame company, Frame Technologies (www.frametechnologies.co. uk). He’s worked in the UK timber industry for over 30 years and delivered countless self build projects, making clients’ dream home a reality.

PERIOD PROPERTIES

Alan Tierney is a period property and conservation specialist. He ran a historic building consultancy, offering hands-on advice to heritage homeowners, but is now focused on renovating yet another property: Old Barnstaple House.