Client: Emmaus School

A small popular Christian independent school with a waiting list needing more quality teaching space. First of two phases to create a new classroom in sympathy to the Victorian architecture creating an interior to modern standards. Built on time and within budget, the finished classroom has proved popular with students and staff alike.

Client: Private Residential

A beautifully designed traditional ‘Georgian’ house set in a premier area of Newbury with large spacious rooms and a grand sweeping staircase to the first floor. A galleried landing opens up to a glazed roof lantern drawing natural light into the heart of the house. Careful selection of external materials with reclaimed clay terracotta plain roof tiles ensured that this grand house acquired that timeless appeal and gives the appearance that it has been standing on the plot for many years.

Client: Blackwell UK Ltd

Set within a stunning new mixed use building in the Portland Building at the University of Nottingham we designed and project managed this new Blackwell’s Bookshop fitout from concept to completion on a tight budget and programme. The design for this contemporary bookshop was part of a national ‘roll-out’ project which we were involved with managing design, cost and programme. Consultation and coordination with other consultants, the University Facilities Manager and client were key aspects of this project.

So what does the government class as development?  The Act states that “… ‘development’ is the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land…”  Development includes everything from building or extending a house, converting a barn, converting a house to a shop, adding an annexe, to fixing a sign to your shop.

Do you have to have planning permission for all types of building work?  It is safe to assume that all development needs planning permission, however, there are some exceptions.  As the volume of planning applications increased, the government devised a way of permitting certain types of development called “permitted development rights”.  These rights enable you to make minor changes to your house without the need to apply for planning permission.  You must check with your local planning authority as these rights are region specific and may have been withdrawn in your area.

For more information on the subject visit the Planning Portal website where you can find some helpful advice on planning permission and permitted development rights.  The website also includes a simple interactive guide: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/

If you would like advice on the planning process or any aspect of design in connection with your new build, alterations or refurbishment to your house, extension, shop, office or commercial property please contact us. Take a look at our projects for examples of work we have carried out.

The brief to design an eco friendly home on a tight budget and a constricted site. The many eco style features included a sedum green roof, solar heating, wood burner and underfloor heating with sustainable external materials. To create a light open plan layout that could be flexible and easily reconfigured in the future.

Click on this link to find out more: http://local.which.co.uk/article/?id=2315

‘This is a useful article to explain in layman’s terms what an Architectural Technologist is’ - Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

The article covers the following helpful questions:

-          What is an architectural technologist?

-          What can they do for me?

-          How can I find a reliable one and how should I best use them?

Work has now commenced on site with this exciting new project. Set in a small, sleepy Wiltshire village this Cotswold stone and slate roofed cottage sits comfortably within the street scene and is progressing well, with completion due in the Summer.

Planning Permission was successfully obtained for this Grade II Listed Farmstead complex set in the rural heart of North Devon. This was achieved in the context of difficult planning policy requirements necessitating detailed consultations with English Heritage and the Conservation Officer.

Dale Roberts Design has also recently been engaged to take Barns 1 & 2 onto the next detailed design stage.

The Farmhouse and Barns 3 & 4 are currently on sale through Stags Estate Agents.

The programme showed that Dale Roberts Design had turned the building around and that our design approach was the right one. It combined a sympathetic approach to the existing building’s architecture while taking full advantage of the stunning views across the Devon countryside.

The summing up at the end by the agents was effusive and an endorsement of our work in completely transforming this dilapidated house into a pleasurable living space that will be enjoyed for years to come.

For more information on the project click here.