Tailored architectural solutions for every need
Our computer aided designs and expert pre-planning advice will always be tailored to your needs.
We offer assistance with planning applications to achieve planning permission for your project.
We help you understand building regulations and achieve approval for your project.
Knocking down and building afresh could be the right way to go to gain that extra space.
Our design service can help you achieve that extra space you’ve always dreamed of.
Our architectural services include pre-planning advice, planning drawings and floor plans. Our computer-aided designs and expert pre-planning advice will always be tailored to your needs. Whether we’re brainstorming, designing, or planning your project, your vision is kept at the heart of our process.
Even before planning and conception, building projects can hit some barriers. Many councils offer a pre-application advice service to homeowners in their area, although using these services is subjective to individual projects. Three key factors often affect the need for pre-planning advice. These are:
The first question when setting up your project is how much will it cost? Pre-planning advice varies depending on individual councils, but the meeting and follow-up letter tend to fall between £50-£200.
Pre-planning advice does lengthen the process slightly. However, when compared to the time taken to resolve problems that may have been found during the pre-planning? It’s worth it.
Nothing is worse as a renovator than having your designs denied. Pre-Planning Advice helps to ensure your design fits with planning guidelines, especially when it comes to complex cases.
Plans are an important part of achieving planning permission. Without them, your local authority can’t visualise your designs and see if they will comply with national guidance.
Plans can also be used to apply for approval in terms of Building Regulations which is a separate process to planning permission, focused more on the structural standard of your project. Find out more about Planning Permission and Building Regulations including how they differ.
You will mostly likely require the consent of your local authority if your project involves one of these:
Getting local authoritative consent is what planning permission refers to because their approval is needed before you go ahead with your project. This approval is gained by achieving a list of criteria but can sometimes come with set conditions. These are unique to each project so, for example, one new build in Kent may be set a condition that another does not. It all depends on how your project fits with their considerations.
For Planning Permission, your local authority will consider:
By including detailed plans for your development, including floor plans, elevations, site layouts, and planning drawings, you will be able to present a full picture of your proposed project to the planners. However, if there is any opposition from neighbours, your application could go to the planning committee. Either way, they will be able to judge how your renovation fits within the above requirements, deciding if it meets their criteria for approval.
Their decision usually takes between 8-13 weeks but can take longer. If it does take longer, you can appeal.
Plans are an important part of achieving planning permission. Without them, your local authority can’t visualise your designs and see if they will comply with national guidance.
Plans can also be used to apply for approval in terms of Building Regulations which is a separate process to planning permission, focused more on the structural standard of your project. Find out more about Planning Permission and Building Regulations including how they differ.
Need more information on planning permission?
Projects with Permitted Development Rights do not need Planning Permission. These rights are often applied to industrial projects, but some residential renovations are often permitted. However, this is up to your individual planning authority so a project that might have permitted development rights in Kent might not have those same rights in Shropshire.
Projects on designated land, which includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas, and World Heritage Sites, are highly likely to not have permitted development rights.
Building Regulations are a matter of legal compliance that follows from Planning Permission. These are different to Planning Permissions as they do not have a committee and approval times are often between 10-20 days, much shorter than the common 8–13-week time period for Planning Permission.
These regulations also differ in that they ensure your works conform to the current Statutory Building Regulations, requiring works to be completed to a quality standard. Instead of exterior appearance or impact on the local environment, they consider more structural matters such as:
*This list is not exhaustive. Please check with your local authority for more details.
All building regulation matters are managed by licensed professionals. These can either be Building Control Officers from your local authority or private inspectors, depending on who you or your agent decide to manage this process for you.
Building Regulations’ Approval can be applied for in two different ways and at ASK Ltd, our designs can assist with both. These are the Full Plans Method and the Building Notice Method.
Often the simplest method, this is commonly used for renovations to domestic properties.
What does this involve?
Your builder often looks after this process for you while undertaking the project. At least 48 hours before work starts, they will need to complete a Building Notice form and submit it to your local authority.
Once work on your project begins, the Building Control Officer will do an initial visit to the site, scheduling other visits with your builder to ensure the works continue to meet the minimum building standards.
Specific drawings may not be needed initially but some may be requested to supplement a visit from a Building Control Officer. Our architectural drawing services will be able to aid you with any necessary designs.
When work is finished, you will then be able to request a certificate from your Building Control Officer as confirmation that standards have been met.
Need more information on building regulation?
A detailed and more involved application method which supplies more detail to your local authority.
What does this involve?
The name of this method says it all. With the Full Plans Method, you are required to submit detailed drawings with specific information.
This information can include things such as:
We can help you with all the required plans with our computer-aided designs, detailing floor plans and other planning drawings with all the necessary information to meet official quality standards.
After, your local authority will conduct inspections as they do with the Building Notice Method. However, this procedure does allow you to ask for a ‘determination’ from a government building authority in the case of a disagreement with your local authority.
If you’re considering a whole remodel of your property from existing building to unused land, a new build design could be the right way to go. Knocking down an existing property and building afresh does sound daunting.
The cost and time involved is always a factor, especially if the building in question is your private residence. However, a huge benefit of a new build is that it is entirely your own, rewarding you with a space designed specifically for your needs. Whether you want a large kitchen, extra rooms for the kids, or open-plan access to a garden, your new build will be worth all the extra effort.
All building regulation matters are managed by licensed professionals. These can either be Building Control Officers from your local authority or private inspectors, depending on who you or your agent decide to manage this process for you.
Visualise your new build project with computer aided designs in 2D and 3D. We offer a wide range of services to meet every type of project, offering you a design experience tailored to you.
If you have the space, extending your property is often more cost and time effective than upscaling to a new property. Single storey extensions are perfect for gaining that desired extra space.
Open-plan kitchens that lead into the garden, downstairs bathrooms for accessibility, or even an office for remote working, all of these are possible to add to your home* without requiring a big move. You can even use single-storey extensions to add light to your building, utilising skylights to get that natural light in.
Getting that extra space for your needs doesn’t always require moving and sometimes a single storey just isn’t enough. Double or two storey extensions can often be more efficient and expedient than either of these two options.
The house market is highly competitive and sometimes the properties just don’t match up to your needs. By creating a double storey extension, you could get that extra space you’ve always wanted, adding more room to the interior of your home that reflects your lifestyle
Expanding your property doesn’t always mean going outwards. Building upwards with a loft conversion can be the way to go in terms of saving money and still getting that necessary extra space.
Utilised loft space could be used as an extra room, that office for working from home, or even that games room you’ve always wanted. Lofts aren’t just for storing boxes anymore but instead are packed full of design opportunities.
Getting an extension or loft conversion doesn’t just come down to time and money. There are a whole load of regulations and permissions you have to keep in mind. Wading through all of these can be difficult so help from professional architects and designers is vital to ensuring your project goes ahead.
At ASK, we know what’s required for single storey and double storey extensions as well as loft conversions. Therefore, we can help you by supplying 2D and 3D designs that ensure your project doesn’t conflict with building standards and guidance. As part of this, we approach each project with professional and creative eyes, working with you to create a space that matches your needs and your local criteria.
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