Office: 01344 534132
Office: 01344 534132
This meeting will facilitate two essential aspects of the project. Firstly, it allows us to see the plot or existing property and discuss ideas. Secondly, it will enable us to get to know our prospective client, as we must understand how a client wishes to live and the critical living requirements in terms of the size and style of the house.
In the early discussions the ideas put forward are important as they guide the entire project. It is crucial to identify all of the potential a given situation has so that a client can actively choose to adopt an idea or reject an idea. The reason his is important is because opportunities to improve a given property are wide and varied. They depend upon space, budget, family requirements and the suns position at a given point in the day relative to the house.
It would be a pity to not have considered all ideas early in the project because more often than not there is more than one solution.
In the initial stages of a project, we prepare a Design Brief. This is continually updated until an agreed-upon set of requirements has been established. This document details a combination of client ideas and requirements, accepted ideas we have proposed, and any planning restrictions.
This document, once agreed, is used to create an initial set of plans.
There are many facets of planning which need to be considered. The following is a list of things which do come up during many planning applications.
Overlooking, being overlooked, ridge height, proximity to the boundary, eave heights, finishes, design style, fitting in with the street scene, window positions, amenity space, flood requirements, protection of wildlife, protection of ancient atrifacts, protection of a conservation area, protection of areas of outstanding natural beauty.
As you can gather the list of guiding principles for planning is lengthy and the case officers are responsible for ensuring these planning guidelines are followed.
The process of producing the planning drawings either starts with us creating an existing set of plans (in the case of an extension) or starts with an initial design (in the case of a new build).
Read MoreAll of our drawings for planning applications are done in 3D and 2D. We find clients appreciate this and easily identify with the proposals, which facilitates easily understood feedback on the changes required.
By this stage, a Design Brief has been created, which we will use to facilitate the initial design of a new house. We will produce a set of proposed elevation and floor layout drawings, which will be used in a design meeting to identify many of the fundamental changes required.
The service also includes monitoring of the consultee comments and representations. This is important because if an issue is raised that requires design changes then this must be addressed sooner rather than later. Discussions with the case officer concerned can sometimes resolve issues raised.
Attending site visits are also part of this service as this is where the case officer gets to see and understand the proposal and its implications.
A Design Brief will have been produced, and this will determine how the extension is to be designed. An initial design will then be produced, which will form the basis for a discussion on the required changes. As the design progresses, it will be fine-tuned so that the client is happy for it to be submitted for planning approval.
Read MoreOverall site plans, block and location plans will be produced. Other documents, such as a Planning Statement, Design and Access Statement, and Critical Drainage Assessment, are produced when required. This depends upon the application.
It is vitally important to identify any planning restrictions that may apply at the early stages of a project. Once some ideas have started to form, we need to apply some planning reality checks to see if they work. Sometimes, this happens verbally during the conversation, and sometimes, further checking is required before proceeding.
Read MoreThe level of planning consultancy depends upon the project. Some projects are slightly sensitive to neighbours or are questionable when considering planning policy.
The planning consultancy deliverables are sometimes small investigations, and sometimes, they require a specific document to be produced. This document is entitled a Planning Statement and typically addresses the individual planning policies and states how the policies are being applied.
This part of the overall process is one of the most important. Careful handling of the application, the wording of the various documents and the overall approach are crucial to securing planning permission.
Read MoreWhen all of the drawings and documents are produced, and the client is in agreement, the planning application is submitted. We administer the application from this point on. This includes liaising with the case officer, visiting the site with the case officer and conservation officer if necessary, discussing planning concerns, and discussing implications with the client.
Before this work is quoted for and undertaken, the client's construction wishes are discussed. Many clients have a good idea of their preferred method of construction, which is fundamentally essential at this stage. Many traditional options, variations, and new technologies are coming onto the market.
Read MoreWe prefer that building regulation drawings be submitted to the chosen authority or building regulation agent for a complete plan check. Currently, this is optional, but this may change in the coming months as building regulations become stricter.
These detailed drawings would include dimensional drawings, insulation details, roof construction details, foundation details, wall construction details, structural design and calculations, and many other items too numerous to mention here.
We can provide the Principal Designer role. This role specifically aims to ensure the building regulations are addressed in the drawings. As of 1 October 2023, the principal designer has to sign off on the design along with the Building Control Officer and the Principal Contractor. We can provide the building regulations drawings and the principal designer role as required.
When all of the drawings and documents are produced, and the client is in agreement, the planning application is submitted. We administer the application from this point on. This includes liaising with the case officer, visiting the site with the case officer and conservation officer if necessary, discussing planning concerns, and discussing implications with the client.
For larger projects, contract administration is offered as a service. This ensures the details of the contract are being met on both the client and contractor sides. The services involve managing contracts, negotiating terms, handling changes, resolving disputes, and ensuring parties fulfil their obligations.
We prefer that building regulation drawings be submitted to the chosen authority or building regulation agent for a complete plan check. Currently, this is optional, but this may change in the coming months as building regulations become stricter.
These detailed drawings would include dimensional drawings, insulation details, roof construction details, foundation details, wall construction details, structural design and calculations, and many other items too numerous to mention here.
