Frequently Asked Questions - General

Yes

We undertake `design appraisals` and `feasibility reports` for a vacant land, existing land or existing properties. The amount of information produced by your project Architect can be scaled to meet your requirements or the needs of the project.

As an example, these drawings could form a full pack of documents illustrating how you can position new buildings, their size and rough drawings of their appearance, that would form sufficient information for an `Outline Planning` or `Full Planning ` submission.

Outline Planning & Full Planning

The decision to adapt the structure, or significantly change the spaces in your house will likely be one of the most important choices you will make regarding your home and has probably been on your mind for some time. We are sure you already have ideas of what spaces you want to extend or reduce, and how the extension will change the way you live and use your home.

After our initial consultation, your project Architect will guide you through the ` design, planning ` and finally the ` construction stages, ` offering you a fresh perspective on any of your initial ideas, using our ` professional knowledge` to begin refining your thoughts onto paper and into a feasible design that can be built. The level of our involvement will be entirely up to you, and this can be discussed at our first consultation and would form the ` scope of works` between you, the client and us the ` Architect. ` Thought- To make this process more successful, it’s always beneficial to keep a collection of any ideas or pictures of buildings you may like, as this collection will help us understand your tastes and preferred architectural styles.

Step by Step through the Design & Construction Stages

While we are always available via e-mail or telephone, we understand that due to people’s commitments, you are not always available during the working day to discuss your project or check on its progress. To resolve this DPS Architecture has a Client Portal area which is directly accessible from our website, allowing you to see and download any final drawing submissions or letters from the planners/building control that we may have received.

We normally keep this portal available for each client for a minimum of 6 months after the end of the project, (although we can keep it open longer at the request of the client) This gives you ample time to download the drawings and files for your own records and print additional copies if you so wish.

In addition to the above, we always maintain an in-house backup (of the drawings) for a period longer than 6 months and are always at the other end of the telephone if you need help or a copy of a specific drawing via e-mail.

Yes

our services can be scaled to meet your needs. We offer a lump-sum price for a fixed submission and a defined number of visits to meet the building control officer, or we can work on an hourly rate. It’s entirely up to you.

Outline Planning & Full Planning

In September 2012 the Government announced the temporary relaxation of the planning system in England. This was not adopted in Wales, although separate guidance for Wales came into force from September 2013. The permitted development guidance for England can be found in the Planning Portal and the Welsh government guidance in thePlanning Permission Guidance Dependant on where your project is situated, you may wish to take some time to review the relevant guidance documents.

Note:

Even if a project is considered to be Permitted Development, it is highly recommended to apply for a 'Certificate of Lawfulness' from the Local

Authority to confirm your interpretation is correct, before starting any construction works. This written confirmation is particularly useful if your plans are ever queried by a third party. To obtain this certificate, the planner may ask you to send a sketch or drawings of the proposal to the Planning Authority for them to confirm it falls under permitted development. If this is the case, we can, of course, undertake this drawing work and please feel free to call to discuss your project and receive a no obligation quotation.

Note:

Conservation areas may have stricter controls under a local 'Article 4' designation. This limits what features can be altered, preventing changes to features that contribute to the character of an area. In this way, even if your proposal falls within the requirements of permitted development, full planning permission will need to be sought in these areas. If you are in doubt, seek the guidance of a professional or the local planning department before proceeding.

While your scheme may fall under permitted development, it’s worth bearing in mind that you will always need to make a separate application (or serve a Building Notice) to Building Control or an Approved Inspector under the Building Regulations. This application and process are to ensure that the project is built to meet the current standards of construction.

If your building does not fall into the requirements of permitted development, you will have to submit a full planning submission or outline planning submission. If you think this may be the case, please feel free to call, and we can discuss how DPS Architecture can help you through the necessary steps.

Yes

If your proposal is close enough to the boundary and meets the criteria contained in the Party Wall Act 1996 You will need to give your neighbour notice under the Act in line with the requirements of the document. This requirement occurs independently of the Planning Process. The Party Wall Act can be a very formal process and must be managed correctly. If you do not feel competent in undertaking this process, we would urge you to seek professional advice or services from an Architect, Chartered surveyor or another competently qualified professional before proceeding.

Yes

if you are building near to a public sewer, you may be required to apply for a `build over sewer agreement` directly with the local water supplier. This process does take some time and will incur a fee from the water supplier’s solicitor to process the application.

No

The outcome of the public Planning process cannot be guaranteed, although to increase the chance of obtaining planning approval you could undertake pre-application consultations with the planning department to gain an informal opinion on your proposal.

Note:

some Authorities are now charging for this pre-submission advice, and it would be worth discussing any potential costs directly with the Authority before proceeding.