Keep up to date with planning news, sketchbook ideas, press and publications here.
By Christophe
Sometimes, the best solutions have existed for years. This is the case with hemp. Hemp is becoming known as an excellent material to use in construction, bringing wide-reaching benefits not only for the environment, but for our health. How is hemp being used? Hemp is a natural, organic crop that can be grown in the UK. Currently, we don’t have many farms growing...
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By Christophe
Obtaining planning permission for new homes has become more challenging in the last few years. It’s never been more important to work with a consultant who understands the constraints of your specific project and the local planning process. The main reason gaining planning permission has become more complicated is the increase in legislation in many areas of...
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By Paul
This year, biodiversity has climbed developers’ list of priorities. Although the government has delayed biodiversity net gain legislation again, from February those creating large schemes will have to provide a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%. For smaller developments – ten homes or fewer – the new rule will apply from April 2024. This is a great...
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By Christophe
This is a decision facing many people looking to create their ideal home: should they renovate an existing building or knock it down and start again? There are many factors to consider, not least cost, design potential and sustainability. We’ve pulled together some of the key considerations in the renovate or rebuild debate to help you reach a decision. Each...
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By Lizzie
Finding a site on which to build a new home in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a wonderful opportunity. It can be extremely difficult to gain planning permission in an AONB for a new home on an empty plot – though not impossible. A more accessible option is to find a site with an existing dwelling and create a design for a new home that considers...
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By Christophe
All new build projects, and most extensions, require planning permission from the local authority. For some projects this can seem like a leap into the unknown. If the plot or house is in a sensitive area or presents a new style to a neighbourhood, for example, it can be impossible to guess whether permission will be granted. In these cases, one option is to open a...
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By Paul
Today, sustainability needs to be central to the design process. We were delighted that RIBA has created its 2030 Climate Challenge, which we’ve signed up to. This campaign aims to help architects design with a “climate conscious trajectory”. It’s a set of voluntary performance targets in three areas for sustainable architecture: operational energy use, water...
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By Christophe
We’re delighted to have been granted planning permission for the full refurbishment of a beautiful townhouse in Notting Hill. This application for a London house extension was more complicated than some, involving significant liaison with the Westminster planning department and a specific focus on protecting urban greenery. The four-storey family home currently has...
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By Christophe
Traditionally, once a house building project has gained planning permission, the next stage is detailed design followed by a competitive tender process to find a builder. Up to this point, costs are only loosely unknown. The client doesn’t have an exact price for their project until the architect has spent time creating a highly detailed design package. However,...
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By Christophe
Yes, architects design buildings. But the role of an architect can go far beyond the initial sketches and line drawings. An architect can work with you throughout your project, through design and the actual build to completion. We get a lot of questions about what an architect does once a planning application has been approved. The largest chunk of work actually...
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By Paul
Once you’ve relayed the details of your project, hopes and goals to an architect, next comes the fee proposal. Architects’ fees depend very much on the scope of the work and the involvement you wish the architect to have – do you want them to only create the design, oversee the planning process or take the project through detailed design to on site? The...
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