So a quick recap, we sold our house and bought “the house that twitter built” in 2011. We spent six months settling, the next six finding the right architectural partner and the six months after that working with Innex Design the best way to develop the house and space we have. Happy doesn’t come close to how I feel about what our home will be like one day but we still have a long way to go and the next thing was to get the necessary planning permission so our application was submitted at the end of January and we waited … and we waited … and we waited some more … and then waited some more still… S L O W is an understatement, I’m sure they were being thorough *raises eyebrows*

I’m very methodical and with this project I am crossing the bridges in my head only when I reach them (otherwise I’d be at wallpaper, lamps & cushions) there’s no point working out the specifications and costs of the build until the plans are approved and there’s no point working out the finance until we know the specifications and costs. So that’s where we have been. Waiting for planning permission, so whilst we waited I took the opportunity to ask my architect, Chris Catelani of Innex Design my questions about planning and what was happening during this stage of our project and thought I’d share his answers for anyone in or embarking on a similar project.

Question 1: So we created our design and submitted the plans to the Local Authority, what happens during the planning assessment / approval process? What are these planners looking for / doing?

Chris Catelani, Innex Design: We submit the application online via the planning portal, which has some good interactive tools for people who don’t know if they need planning permission http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/ The council allocate themselves a 6-8 week time period to access the planning application, during this time the 1st thing they will do is send out letters to neighbours offering them the chance to comment on the proposals. They will then after 21 day consultation period consider neighbours comments and assess the application is in accordance with planning policy, the officer will visit the site to inspect the surroundings first hand and to determine if the proposals are detrimental to any neighbouring properties or objectors.

Question 2: We submitted our plans at the end of January how long should it take & when does the clock start ticking?

Chris Catelani, Innex Design: I don’t think this is an easy question to answer, the plans were submitted but the council are slow and took weeks to validate the application, the council have validation officers who check that the application form is complete, the fee is correct and the information submitted is correct i.e. site location plan of the property at the correct scales. Once validated the 6-8 week clock is ticking for a decision although some applications can take longer than the 8 weeks. Each council is different even though they follow the same policy.

Question 3: Applying for planning felt like a scary prospect but Innex Design have meant we haven’t had any contact – is that normal or are you just brilliant? Should a home owner or an architect handle the local authority?

Chris Catelani, Innex Design: To us its normal, if we are commissioned to provide architectural services for a domestic house extension we treat it the same as a million pound plus project. Our clients appoint us as professionals and we aim to deliver a professional service from start to finish, we hear of design practices who offer architectural services but wont deal with the council as it can be time consuming! we think its wrong, you wouldn’t get on a plane and fly it yourself, so why should the legalities of improving, what is to most people the most valuable asset they own be left to chance.

A decision was made on our planning application last week, the verdict is coming up in my next post!

We are very proud to be a Center Parcs Family and recently went to Center Parcs, heading to Sherwood Forest, Nottingham to enjoy the long weekend we won through Tots100 Family Blogger Competition at the end of last year. We invited Kate, Tom and their brood to join us and what a great time we had!

The weather at the beginning of March can be a bit touch and go but we were lucky and I mean a weekend of glorious blue skies and spring sunshine.  We had brought my mum and dad along for a bit of additional support, mostly of the grand parenting babysitting during the evening whilst we went up to drink vino and gin with Kate & Tom! I do recommend additional grand parenting power whenever possible, every little helps and all that

First stop was to pick up the bicycles, we all had bikes, including Grandma much to her horror and a trailer for the small humans and we were off on our long weekend Center Parcs adventure. A swim was top of the kids agenda and where we spent a lot of time in the pool. Lil H is as confident as a fish, Diva G is far more of a land lover but the experienced really helped her confidence and they both thoroughly enjoyed the pools. The rapids were Lil H’s absolute favourite and he couldn’t go down them enough times. The water slides and rides were ace. Our favourite time to swim was in the evening an early tea for the kids followed by a light supper and we were swimming in the dark in a less busy pool with much smaller queues.

In the day there is loads to do grown ups preference was for spa-ing and treatments. The younger ones made cupcakes and rode ponies.  We had some great meals out the pancake house being a staple favourite of the children and the Indian being the grown ups choice to eat in or take away. We planned to and did eat in for a fair few meals and had brought provisions and lunch boxes to have packed lunches for the kiddos who can’t wait where grown ups can. Our villa was lovely and we had regular visitors from the local wildlife.

We were so busy during the day everyone slept well, so soundly in fact that we fell in love with the Center Parcs bedding and had to order our own from home as soon as we got home.  Getting up has been a problem ever since and yes the duvet and pillows really are that good!

Thank you so much Center Parcs we had a fantastic time.

You too could be in with a chance to become a Center Parcs Family Blogger and win a family break to a Center Parcs village of your choice. This month the Center Parc challenge is confident Summer is imminent (I hope they are right!) and they are challenging you and your family to put together the perfect summer picnic, whether you’re venturing to the park or dining al fresco in the garden or if Summer doesn’t happen at all perhaps try an indoor picnic like us!

For a chance to become our newest Center Parcs Family Blogger and to win a family break to a Center Parcs village of your choice, simply share pictures of your fun-filled family picnic on your blog and tweet us a link to it. Be sure to include the Center Parcs and Tots 100 handles in your tweet, as well as the #CPFamilyBreak hashtag before the challenge closes on May 31st.

Dear Blog, lovely blog readers and generally all my social profiles,

Its not that I don’t love you, writing you, reading your comments, swinging by other blogs, hanging out sharing a #hashtag and pinning stuff. I do love all that stuff, I really do. I feel bad I’ve not been doing it, my absence frustrates and nags at me so I want to explain.

First my blog got hacked and disappeared, not sure how, I’m told it was a WordPress thing but I am technically inept and reliant on my clever techie guy friend to help me out, which he has and does and I am so very grateful for. Thank you Paul for putting www.cheshiremum.co.uk back in its proper little place on the tinterweb.

Second I have landed some great social media projects with my business Social Boutique thank you to all the bloggers I have worked with recently, your support has been amazing. I will continue to find and share great opportunities. I am now working three to four days a week and in an office too – check me out! Interestingly I don’t have 3-4 days a week childcare which keeps life interesting – my parents and husband are keeping things running whilst we all find our new mojo. I am loving who I am working with, what I am doing and at last I am saving some £’s towards the house redevelopment – there is news and that’s coming right up in the next post!

Lil H turned 6 in April – Happy Birthday to my little dude, he had a great day and celebrations and we now have two Guinea pigs living at Lancaster Villa – called Pinkie and Sonic (Gin & Tonic was declined as a suggestion – pah!)

I’m still running, I’m up to 3km and still loving it. I’ve also had some major parties down in London celebrating some milestone birthdays – it would appear many of my friends turn 40 this year, suggests I may do too … I am in denial, lets move on! I have new shoes for this weekends bash – do you love?

So that’s what’s been going down – in a nutshell I’ve been busy working but everyone is busy, that’s just life but something had to give and it was my blogging that had to fall by the wayside.  There are some highlights to highlight and they will follow in a quick flurry of posts so bear with me … if you’re still here of course … hello? Anyone even reading anymore?!

How cool is this?  Thanks Universal, you can get your Lifetime of Universal over on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/universalpicturesUK 

I always like a different gift idea and these biscuit boxes from Honeywell Bakes caught my eye when they landed in my inbox. I am a big supporter of the female entrepreneur and the kitchen cum boardroom combo so thought I’d tell you about Honeywell Bakes and help the two York based sisters, Rebecca Honeywell-Ward and Rosie Honeywell. Honeywell Bakes is a new venture they only recently in November 2012 so by sharing this innovative idea on my blog I might be able to help a little bit in the hustle that is getting themselves known online!

Honeywell Bakes creates biscuits and baked goods for any special occasion from new baby biscuit gifts, to wedding favours, to bespoke parties. Their new baby gift set
 would be welcomed by new mums, dads and siblings with a cup of tea or juice with one of the treats in this ‘New Baby’ gift set from Honeywell Bakes. These gorgeous sets can be pink for a girl, blue for a boy, or generic yellow – perfect for a baby shower!

How about this children’s birthday set – do you play with it or do you eat it? Beauty is you can do both with this stylish safari themed biscuit set, boys and girls alike will love playing with – and then eating – the individually crafted animals which arrive in a bright birthday parcel.

Choose from a selection of existing sugar biscuit gift sets, or to make them even more personal, opt for a bespoke set. Each set is beautifully wrapped and presented in an artisan style cardboard box, sent directly to the recipient. With prices starting from £17.95, including p&p, these gifts are easy to order online and will be delivered all over the UK, keeping fresh in an airtight container for a further month.

Related links
Web   http://www.honeywellbakes.com/
FB  http://www.facebook.com/honeywellbakes
Twitter  http://twitter.com/honeywellbakes
Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/honeywellbakes/