This picture is taken from what will be the front of our house, looking across the High Street. Our plot will run from the centre of the driveway to the large tree on the right. Our new garage will be where the right hand white door is.
We hope to level the mound of earth, and plant bushes along the road boundary.

For a few years now, we have subscribed to Home Building & Renovating Magazine, and have been to their exhibitions, gathering lots of useful information.
Next weekend we are going to the latest one at Harrogate, this time with some specific questions about things that will affect the design of our house.

We know that we are going to have a heavily insulated timber-frame house, with a heat recovery & ventilation system.
We are considering a wood-burning stove.
We also have to think about the large glass doors that will open on to the balcony. An expanse of glass like that, with a low u value will take a good chunk of our budget.
We shall have to install a rain water harvesting system ( to meet building regulations)
We want to look at Smart Home technology.