The barn is approximately 10m by 20m. The walls are single thickness concrete blocks (approx 3.6m high) and the roof is asbestos cement and must be removed according to the Local Authority, Building Control Department. It is about 20m from the road and has grazing land to the south and west, and an arable field to the north.

The existing door faces due east and the right hand side of the building is where I envisage the play area. The east, north east and working northwards will be the drive & car parking. The west side is where I hope to have a vegetable garden and keep some chicken.

I haven’t worked out where exactly the windows should go.

It has been my intention to:

Externally

· Remove the top 1.2m of wall (to reduce the need for a suspended ceiling and limit the amount of space to heat).

· Replace the roof (unsure of which sort of roofing I will need to use – cost is a major implication here).

· Render the outside – due to several cracks (this would lead to external insulation).

· Super insulate – to save on heating & hopefully cooling costs (however I am not sure how insulation and keeping cool works).

· Solar hot water (when funding allows)

· Rainwater harvesting (when funding allows)

· Shading to protect the children whilst playing

· Vegetable gardens (for the children to learn how to grow food, to provide food for the kitchen and selling any surplus to the parent to help with funds.

· Keep chickens for eggs (only!)

Internally

· To heat with a wood/pellet/straw burner/GSHP

· Use underfloor heating

· Use Linoleum on the floor – with recycled (hopefully) carpets in staff room & office areas)

· Run a “dado” round the inside of the external wall at 1.2m to hold the electrical cables and sockets

· To finish the interior walls at a later stage (when funding allows)

· The kitchen must be a catering kitchen with sealed flooring and stainless steel cupboards & counter tops (I intend to see if the cupboards/white goods/cooker can be purchased second hand)

· Large low windows – maybe 30cm from the floor

· Double doors to the play area from each room area

Main Problem Currently.....Highways Agency won't let us use the existing entrance as there aren't 90m visibility in each direction. Not really sure how I can solve this.

I am discussing the problem with a Traffic Engineer who may charge me lots of money to negotiate with the Highways man.

Feeling a bit down today...but I'm sure things will improve.

& this is version 2

Currently I have 2 versions of a floor plan going - this is version 1

The idea is that the nursery will be as green as possible. I am hoping to include:

• solar panels for water for hand washing
• a bio-fuel boiler or ground source heat pump
• Under floor heating (safest for the children)
• Re useable nappies (not compulsary)
• Re useable wipes
• Locally sourced foods as far as possible
  

I intend to provide care for up to 30 children from birth to 5 years of age. My applications to OFSTED (DC01 & DC02) are hoping to be submitted in the New Year. I am completing forms to apply for planning permission in January and for the Low Carbon Trust grants.

Welcome to Walnut Corner.

I am a successful childminder in Fleggburgh (Norfolk)and I have decided to try and open a nursery. I have looked arround my village and found a modern agricultural barn which would be suitable. I approached the owner and am currently discussing the lease agreement.