Design and Planning

As with any project we undertake, we engage fully with you, taking the time to discuss your aims and objectives. Whether you wish to make an architectural statement with the exterior, or prefer your addition to blend in with the existing property, we make sure any design, internally and externally, works for you both practically and aesthetically. Our in-depth knowledge of the planning system, including Permitted Development rights, combined with input from our building regulations specialist in the early stages of design, ensures our proposals are not only positively received by the local planning authority but are also feasible from a construction perspective.

Building Regulations Approval

As well as planning constraints, extensions need to comply with current Building Regulations. The regulations cover areas such as structural integrity, thermal efficiency, drainage and ventilation. Our specifications ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, ensuring you receive that all important certificate of compliance from building control, once works are complete.

The Party Wall Act

If building works fall within the scope of the Party Wall Act, the homeowner carrying out the building works is required to serve notice upon adjoining owners. The Act applies to various work, not just work involving the party wall. Unless a property is detached the likelihood is at least one notice will need to be served to at least one adjoining owner.

If an adjoining owner responds positively to a notice by consenting, a party wall surveyor isn’t required. However, if a neighbour dissents to a notice,  one or more party wall surveyors are required to prepare a party wall award. The award includes details such as what measures are to be implemented to protect the adjoining owners property and what hours of the day the building work can be carried out, which is generally 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 1pm on Saturdays. An adjoining owner still benefits form all the rights afforded to them under the Act, even by consenting to the notices. It’s simply a case that should they dissent; those legal rights are included within a document prepared by one or more surveyors, which all parties sign.

Ultimately, the works can progress, it’s simply a case of whether an adjoining owner prefers to appoint a surveyor or not.

As members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, we can advise on your obligations under the Party Wall Act and can serve the relevant notices on your behalf. If your neighbour dissents, we can undertake the role of party wall surveyor, and prepare the Party Wall Award.