the hearth with the thick "concrete" is the back hearth - the front, earth filled hearth is the at the front of the c/breast below the finished flooring.
your raised "concrete" hearth is a late addition - look at your neighbour's hearth's - they are at one level.
front hearth's are enclosed by a brick fender wall.
moisture will be being transferred from the soil to the woodwork/joists.
"the damp problems" that have provided conditions for wood boring beatles and rising damp will not simply "go away".
the fixed vent is plainly visible above the skirting to the right of the c/breast.
in an old house like yours, & with a similar small burner to your neighbour's its doubtful that you would need that vent.
there's no need to cover the iron bar - you could paint it?
there are a number of other Regs that a HETAS installer would indicate to you OP.
your raised "concrete" hearth is a late addition - look at your neighbour's hearth's - they are at one level.
front hearth's are enclosed by a brick fender wall.
moisture will be being transferred from the soil to the woodwork/joists.
"the damp problems" that have provided conditions for wood boring beatles and rising damp will not simply "go away".
the fixed vent is plainly visible above the skirting to the right of the c/breast.
in an old house like yours, & with a similar small burner to your neighbour's its doubtful that you would need that vent.
there's no need to cover the iron bar - you could paint it?
there are a number of other Regs that a HETAS installer would indicate to you OP.
