We've decided to build again 10 yrs after our first build,house now too small three kids later and want to use more "green" methods of heating house and insulation.
Our clients often say they want a green house - but rarely carry it out as they are generally not prepared to live with the consequences and cost.
So Building methods are almost always traditional cavity wall as opposed to the use of poroton blocks (more expensive) or "outsulation" (which can be damaged more easily and is expensive).
They are not prepared to put up with the loss of fireplaces and they don't like fully passive design (e.g. use of fully glazed conservatory type space with glass roof to the full length of the south side of the house) and conservative Passive Design (e.g. having the living spaces to the south) is simply standard practice and been going on for centuries.
I would personally be very wary about wood pellet boilers - huge possibilities for supply/demand imbalances, storage problems, high capital costs, new technology etc.
Apologies for the rant - but I'm a bit cynical about the whole thing eco-thing. It seems to me that people like being able to label themselves as "eco-friendly", rather than actually being eco-friendly. (For example, if you wanted to be eco-friendly you shouldn't build a house in the countryside - they are tremendously wasteful of energy and resources).
Do you think we will have any problem receiving planning,the new site is in the same area,are there restrictions on building again,we're in the Limerick area.
You don't give too much information here. I assume that you are planning to build close to the city on a green field site. If so planning restrictions are likely to apply. You probably won't be able to argue that you have a "housing need" as you have a house (it may be possible if your house is currently unsuitable for your circumstances - due to your growing family and if it would be impossible to build an extension). You will have to talk to the local Planner regarding the site - or else talk to an architect.
If my assumptions are correct, it is quite likely to be difficult to obtain Planning.
I presume we will not have to Capital Gains Tax on the sale of our present property.
You shouldn't have to.
Regarding the comments on lying on your Planning Application regarding your house ownership - I wouldn't recommend it.