Darcy Architects

18/07/2022

Exciting self build opportunity in the heart of the Warwickshire Greenbelt.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124160093 #/?channel=COM_BUY

Planning permission for a five bedroom home in excess of 3k sqft!

If you've ever wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle and build your dream home, now is your chance....

Plot for sale in Whitestitch Lane, Great Packington, Meriden, Coventry, CV7 for £775,000. Marketed by John Shepherd, West Midlands - Land and New Homes

02/11/2020

Following the government’s announcement at the weekend (November ‘20), we are able to continue with our consultations, meetings and visits to homes (non risk category) whilst following government guidelines. Other consultants and trades in the industry will also be able to continue with suppliers seeking to support the sector through lockdown.
PPE, distancing and sanitising will be the first and foremost, but we also ask that prior to meeting those are to confirm whether they or the people around them have suffered symptoms recently.
We continue to make bookings for the rest of the year and into 2021.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november?fbclid=IwAR0Q32u2SngsJEKqgqMYeAi_mATwBUGBdwiohDNu74c0c0KFspFiECD3378 -and-venues

06/05/2020

Pre-COVID-19 plenty of people worked from home, sometimes benefiting from the quiet, self-created environment. In stark contrast to the millions of people working from home today as companies take precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

‘The New Normal’…how I loathe this sentiment, however I cannot get past that the overarching point is that there must be change and we are better to embrace this to drive a far-reaching positive impact to our balance of life….less sitting in rush hour traffic, better defined breaks & time-out, efficient use of technology and working to fit with our lives. Dare I say it, I’ve never used my garden more than I have done these last few months and saving time on ironing is fantastic.

Opportunities are endless...

- Separate home offices; outbuildings, annex, remodelling to benefit from an underused space,
- Home adaptations in technology, improving views out and creating better spaces,
- Use of acoustic treatment, quiet booths/rooms, integral sound systems,
- Improve your internet connection, A/V system, facilities, security, lighting and entertainment,
- Opportunity to create your home-gym, time-out space, coffee break and space to focus,
- Layout and activity-based work spaces, inspiring spaces and vibrant injection of colour,
- Bringing the green into your home with mini-office gardens; indoor greenery, natural materials and a therapeutic approach.
- Dynamic and flexible spaces; collaborative online meeting arrangement, better comfort in digital meetings,
- Work posture, varied seating for different work tasks; we love the ability to raise our desks!!
- Improved cooling for hardware heavy environments, better monitoring of air quality through technology,
- Lighting; 3 point lighting systems – task, general and ambient interior lighting,

Doing more with your under-used space; design based Smart Home-Office Spaces and a focus on well-being whilst working from home.

I try to keep mine clutter-free with vast amounts of storage, appliance cupboard, light-filled and surrounded by plants. The desk is a standing desk which is a huge help for my posture and overall energy levels throughout the day. I mean, what world did we live in before we could get Play-dough snacks delivered most days by my 2.5yr old son!

What does yours currently look like? How would you like yours to be?

18/03/2020

VIRTUAL CONSULTATION with your local Architect.
We undertake Virtual Consultations where we can provide expert friendly advice to help with your project over the telephone!
We can schedule a good time to speak with you, please get in touch!
07966 732608
Offices in Birmingham and Leamington Spa.

01/09/2019

NEW HOME PROJECT TO START NEXT YEAR?
If you are wanting to start building in the new year, now is the time to be talking to Darcy Architects. We have a few appointments left for January, get in touch!
07966 732608
Offices in Birmingham and Leamington Spa.

17/08/2019

Fantastic progress on the Stratford-Upon-Avon development overlooking the River Avon.
We still have a few appointments left for August, so if you’d like to build something that’s a little different, please get in touch 🙂👍
Offices in Birmingham and Leamington Spa!

17/08/2019

Great to see projects weather tight just in time for the mid-summer monsoon!
We still have a few appointments left for August, so if you’d like to build something that’s a little different, please get in touch 🙂👍
Offices in Birmingham and Leamington Spa!

09/08/2019

Dramatic progress on our Projects in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull projects; If you are considering a project for your home, do give us a call for a consultation on 07966 732608.

Our offices in Bournville and Leamington Spa.

26/07/2019

The next development project due to be completed; nine apartments with fantastic views across the River Avon.
If you are considering a development as an investment project do give us a call for a consultation on 07966 732608. We also source opportunities of property and land for developers from our offices in Birmingham and Leamington Spa.

26/07/2019

More great projects nearing completion over Birmingham and wider Warwickshire; If you are considering a project for your home, do give us a call for a consultation on 07966 732608.

Our offices in Bournville and Leamington Spa.

20/06/2019

New PD Rights Larger Extensions - Home Owners

I get asked about the new Permitted Development Rights fairly often, and we are continually checking the new updates on all PD as it emerges. So I thought I'd leave a note on FB for those considering PD and Lawful Certificate applications (same timeframe as a standard Householder application but a very different process with its own limitations and risk).

There has been tremendous publicity regarding Permitted Development Rights; how the changes over the last 10 years and the Housing Secretary James Brokenshire’s statement made earlier this year.

If you’re planning on building a single storey rear extension under your permitted development rights, you can now take advantage of a doubled size allowance under the Larger Home Extension Scheme (subject to very particular criteria). This includes extensions up to 8 metres (from 4 metres) for a detached house, and 6 metres (from 3 metres) for all other houses.

Previously, this scheme only applied to projects completed before the end of May 2019. This scheme has now been made permanent.

What is permitted development?

Permitted development is a type of pre-approved permission to set criteria to build as your ‘Right’, which allows you to bypass most of the main planning process, by means of a tick box process providing your proposed design falls within the legislation criteria.

You certainly should apply to your council for a lawful development certificate to prove your development is within the conditions provided, and if your plans fall within the scheme, it can save time and potential complications over putting in a full planning application. However there are risks of particular ‘grey areas’ of which should be very clear but can slip into debate; a slimmed-down version of the planning process, managed by set departments within the planning team to cover this part of the process, becomes the limitation.

To take advantage of this extra allowance under permitted development, you’ll need to ensure your plans extend no more than 8 metres (for a detached property) or 6 metres (for all other properties) from the rear elevation of the original house, as it stood on 1 July 1948. Subject to Planning Team review and the Neighbour Consultation Scheme.

You must check that you do not fall into an area where your PD rights have been removed, or the already used within a previous extension, underlying covenants etc

The development must also comply with other conditions that apply to all rear extensions allowed under permitted development: these are listed in great length on the national planning website and within local planning websites (along with the particular local requirements which must be checked).

What is the Neighbour Consultation Scheme?

The Neighbour Consultation Scheme is the approval process for extensions built under the Larger Home Extension Scheme. Once you provide the detailed plans for your project to the council they will notify any adjoining owners or occupiers to your development (i.e. your neighbours), and invite them to raise any objections within a 21 day period.

If no objections are received, and the development complies with all of the relevant criteria under permitted development rights and the Larger Home Extension Scheme, you’ll be notified by the council within a 42 day period and may start building, potentially under certain additional conditions.

You will need Building Regulation Approval for the extension and you will need to submit detailed plans to get this approval.