Point North, Gloster Hill Self Build

The first job of the ground worker is to get through rear retaining wall in place so that the slab can be prepared.

First the rear bank is cut out and earth moved to enable the base

The initial cutting out starts ok, but then the problems begin.

The bank isn’t quite a stable or dry as expected and the ground workers find water which could be a spring. The rear banking also collapses a bit and begins over night.

I get my first call from Building Control who have received a complaint from the neighbour who claims he’s worried about health and safety – and probably that his bungalow will slide down the hill!

Over the next few days progress is quite slow, the baskets are built and the ground workers struggle to get a base for the wall down as the site becomes inundated with water both from below (spring) and above (rain).

Finally they get the first layer down. They aren’t the nearest gabions but at least it’s progress and GreenRoofStructures have said they’ll get the fixed later in the programme.