Planning permission has recently been obtained by Let’s Design Architecture for a two storey side extension and single storey rear extension in Ashfield. The proposal will incorporate a new larger living area and kitchen/dining space opening up onto the rear garden, as well as a large first floor bedroom with dressing room and en-suite shower room. Click the button for full details!
Works progressing - Plot 1, Cotton
Works are progressing at Plot 1, Cotton, with the feature glazing in and the building watertight. The Client is very happy with progress on his self-build project.
3D artwork
Today at Let’s Design Architecture…
I’ve been building a block model to show a proposed bungalow in context with its surroundings, using a mix of Sketchup, Photoshop and good old fashioned colouring pencils!
HOLIDAY LETS & GLAMPING CABINS
Glamping Site Approved
Let’s Design Architecture is proud to announce that planning permission has been granted for the design of a site of holiday accommodation including ‘glamping’ units in Cratfield.
Approval of two new single storey dwellings
After 16 months, I am proud to have finally achieved an approval of reserved matters on behalf of my Clients for a site of two new dwellings in Cotton. The design is for two bespoke properties, each boasting a large open plan kitchen/living/dining space and 4 bedrooms.
Construction nearing completion
Works are near completion on a two storey extension in Claydon, Suffolk. The project involved major updates to the layout of the old semi-detached property. The Client purchased the property as a three bedroom home; however two of the bedrooms were very small. The only toilet was downstairs in a lean-to extension to the rear and the kitchen was a very poor size.
The new layout includes three double bedrooms, with an en-suite to the master bedroom. The downstairs bathroom has been removed, relocating the downstairs toilet into a new front porch. This opens up the downstairs space to form an open plan kitchen/diner with bi-folding doors into the rear garden. The Client is extremely happy and looks forward to finishing the build.
Digger on site!
Works have commenced on a new side extension I have been working on in Denham. The footings have been inspected by building control who are happy with progress. The digger is shown here, struggling with the clay!
Denham
Side extension to existing house
For more of my projects, click here
PLANNING PERMISSION
I am proud to announce that planning permission has just been granted for my design of a proposed front extension to a barn-style dwelling in Mellis. The extension will form additional kitchen and bedroom/en-suite space, providing the Clients with much needed space for their daughter.
Planning Permission
Suffolk barn-style dwelling achieves planning permission for front extension
9 House Development
Works are progressing well on Phase 1 of the 9 house development at Benhall, with the footings for Plot 1 being well established and Plots 2-5 also out of the ground.
Henley Road - Curved Wall
Works are progressing well on the front extension at Henley Road. The bricklayers have done a very nice job of matching up the existing Flemish bond brickwork with the adjacent garage and formed a beautiful curve with header bricks. The extension appears seamless against the rest of the house. The windows are to be designed with the frames hidden within the brickwork to allow for as much light as possible to enter the room and will be specially made to fit the curve of the extension. A flat roof will be hidden beyond the parapet wall to blend in seamlessly with the roof of the existing garage.
More information on my projects page
Works progressing - new dwelling, Kettleburgh
Works are progressing on a new dwelling in Kettleburgh, for which I am Contract Manager and Principal Designer. The foundations and plinth bricks below DPC level are in place and the site is looking good so far!
Planning Permission
Planning permission has recently been obtained for the proposed two storey rear extension and side extension to a house in Thorndon. The Clients are very pleased with the outcome and look forward to Let's Design Architecture completing the building regulations drawings in the near future.
Completion of conversion project
Works recently completed on a conversion project in Saxmundham. The existing townhouse was converted into two separate dwellings, including the re-building of a previously demolished lean-to.
The original property would have been two town houses, which had previously been converted into a single dwelling; the layout of which didn't work and the appearance was outdated. The original sash window had been removed and replaced with a poor quality casement window, which looked out of place on the street scene. The property lends itself well to being two dwellings as it was formerly, so the developer wanted to restore it as such.
Works to the frontage included the provision of a new front door and window, re-instating the original appearance, along with carefully chosen brickwork to suit. A new party wall was added to separate the dwellings and the internal layouts were carefully designed to maximize space.
The developer is very happy with the finished houses.
Approval for nine dwellings in Benhall
The reserved matters application for a proposal of nine properties at Benhall has recently been approved by Suffolk Coastal District Council. Let's Design Architecture is delighted with the outcome of the application and looks forward to watching the properties being built in the near future.
Permitted Development
People often ask me if they can do things without planning permission. The answer is sometimes yes, but it is always a useful exercise to check with the planning department first and get something in writing from them. They have introduced a pre-application submission process, to check whether permission is required and also whether the proposals are likely to be considered favourably upon submission.
The good news is that there is information available on the government website which helps with ascertaining whether your development is permitted under PD rights or not. There are different classes of permitted development and the PD order is available here: legislation.gov.uk
If the document seems a bit of a daunting read, there is a very useful 'interactive house' available on the planning portal which makes life simpler.
However, what is often unknown is whether permitted development rights apply to your property or whether they have been removed. Some properties when they were built had permitted development rights removed and some had the permitted development rights removed at a time when a previous extension was added. Check the planning permission(s) relevant to your property to see which classes may have been removed, as you may be able to do certain things under permitted development and certain other things you will need planning permission for.
In the case of listed buildings and buildings within conservation areas, it is most likely that you will require planning permission or listed building consent to carry out any works to the property or the buildings/walls within the curtilage of the property. Again it is always best to check with the planning department before undertaking any works.
Of course, Let's Design Architecture is here to help if you need any assistance with your proposals!
Proposed Change of Use of Former Shop to Holiday Let
Proposed Floor Plan for Change of Use to Holiday Let
After a lengthy planning process, Let's Design Architecture has recently obtained planning permission for the change of use conversion of a barn to form a holiday let. The barn had previously been used as a shop, although is now redundant storage space. The planning process took some time as we had to prove the viability of the potential use as well as giving reasons why there is no longer a requirement for a shop in this area.
Business as usual
I’ve been a very busy bee today working up some building regulations drawings for an extension and alterations project in Ipswich. Getting there on this one, loads more to do this week though!
Floor Plan Redesign
So today I am working up a new first floor layout for an extension project I am working on. I needed to do some sketches on site. Who knew baking paper could be so versatile!
Full Architectural Services
Stowmarket
Planning, Building Regulations, Principal Designer & Tender Documentation
My Client has recently gone out to tender on his project in Stowmarket, which involves a living room extension, conservatory and first floor extension. For this project I have obtained planning permission and building regulations approval, as well as having been appointed Principal Designer for the design stage and completing the preparation of tender documentation.
I have recently issued the invitation to tender to competing building contractors on the Client's behalf. This involved putting together a full tender package for the building firms to work from, including details of the planning permission, building regulations drawings, Principal Designer information and Structural Engineer's details.
The Client is hoping to make a start on the project in February 2018 and we aim to receive the quotations back mid-October.
Having had feedback from one of the Main Contractors to whom I issued a tender invitation, he thought that my tender package was very thorough and was impressed with the level of information provided.
This is the first project which I have completed as Let's Design Architecture through from design stage to tender submission, since becoming self-employed. I hope it is the first of many!
Further details of the project under my Projects page:
Housing Development
Benhall
9 House Development
I have been appointed to carry out a 9 house development in Benhall. The project is still in the preliminary stages - the 9 houses will incorporate a mix of house types, designed in a traditional Suffolk form with modern features including large elements of glazing and open plan living.
It is an exciting project to be involved with and I look forward to updating you on further development of the scheme.
