The practice offers to help our Clients with submitting Documentation to gain the Local Authority Consents by preparing Building Regulations and Planning Application Documentation for residential refurbishments, extensions and loft conversions. Both innovative and practical approach helps meeting our Client’s financial constraints considering positive impact on sustainable environment.
WHAT WE OFFER
The practice offers to help our Clients to convert their day-to-day spaces and improve the appearance. We are passionate about combining the historic elements of the project and combining them with refreshing, modern design to achieve coherent and pleasant outcome. The complete design services include bespoke furniture design, material selection and fit-out coordination.
We aim to help our Clients to upgrade the front and rear gardens, adding the colour, smell, shape or texture. We believe it is equally important to focus on the external appearance of the house surroundings as it complements the property as a whole.
We have recently expanded our services and offering to help the other architectural practices with providing high quality hand drawn sketches to support their design.
We are proud to collaborate with our local artists to complement our Interior Designs with their own products. You can simply support our local artists.
HOW WE WORK
Most clients come to us with questions before they come with a fixed brief.
Can we extend?
Do we need planning permission?
How long will it take?
What drawings are required?
Can we start building straight away?
What is the difference between planning and Building Control?
We guide clients through the full project process, from the project inception to construction support.
Our work follows the logic of the RIBA Plan of Work, moving from early briefing and feasibility through concept design, planning, technical design, construction information and handover.
We can help establish whether planning permission is required, prepare and submit planning applications, and produce information for Building Control. Planning permission and Building Regulations approval are separate processes, and some projects require both. Householder planning applications are normally decided within eight weeks once validated by the Local Planning Authority, although more complex applications can take longer.
1. Initial conversation and brief
We begin by discussing what you want to achieve, what is not working in the existing property, your approximate budget, your timescale and any known restrictions.
At this stage, we identify the main opportunities and risks. These may include planning constraints, conservation area status, neighbouring properties, structure, drainage, daylight, access, budget and buildability.
2. Feasibility and early design
Before developing one final design, we test what is best possible.
This can include layout options, massing studies, sketch ideas and early design advice. The purpose is to establish a realistic direction before time and money are spent on detailed drawings.
This stage is important. It is where many problems can be avoided.
3. Concept design
Once the preferred direction is agreed, we develop the design in more detail.
This may include proposed plans, elevations, sections, basic material ideas and spatial layouts. The aim is to create a clear proposal that responds to Client's brief, the property and the planning context.
For many domestic projects, this is also the stage where we prepare information for planning or permitted development advice.
4. Planning permission or permitted development
Not every domestic project needs full planning permission, but this must be checked carefully.
Some extensions and loft conversions may fall under permitted development rights, while others require a householder planning application. The correct route depends on the property, its location, previous alterations, size, height, materials, boundaries and other planning constraints.
Where planning permission is required, we can prepare the application drawings and supporting documents. Most planning applications are decided within eight weeks, unless the proposal is unusually large or complex, in which case the period may be longer.
It is worth being clear with clients: the eight-week period usually starts once the application has been validated, not necessarily on the day it is submitted.
5. Building Regulations and Building Control
Planning permission and Building Regulations approval are different.
Planning looks at whether the proposal is acceptable in planning terms. Building Regulations look at whether the work meets required standards for safety, structure, insulation, fire safety, ventilation, drainage and other technical matters.
For domestic projects, Building Control is usually handled through either a Full Plans application or a Building Notice.
A Full Plans application involves submitting detailed drawings, specifications and supporting information before work starts, so the design can be checked. A Building Notice is a simpler route often used for domestic alterations and extensions, but it gives less certainty before construction begins. Some councils state that, for domestic alterations and extensions, work may start 48 hours after a Building Notice is submitted and the correct fee is paid, but this does not mean the work is automatically approved in advance.
For most clients who want clarity before construction, a Full Plans route is often more reassuring, especially where structural work, drainage, insulation, fire safety or complex details are involved.
6. Technical design and construction information
Once the design and approval route are agreed, we prepare the technical information required for construction.
This can include detailed drawings, construction notes, coordination with structural engineers or other consultants, material information and details required by Building Control.
The aim is to reduce uncertainty before the project reaches site. Good technical information helps the contractor price the work more accurately and reduces the risk of avoidable changes during construction.
7. Construction support
During construction, we can remain involved to answer design queries, review details and help resolve issues that arise on site.
Even a well-prepared project can require decisions during the build. Existing buildings often reveal things that were not visible at survey stage. Our role is to help protect the design intent while keeping the project practical and buildable.
