Client Information

Construction works are covered by regulations relating to health and safety known as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM). These apply to all construction work in Great Britain, including domestic projects. You 'the client' have duties under these regulations to make suitable arrangements for managing your project, including allocating time and resources, in order to ensure that your works can be carried out without risks to health and safety and that they will be safe once they are completed. We will be a designer under the regulations and complete your drawings so that it eliminates foreseeable health and safety risks to you, your family and visitors as well as your main contractor/builder but we cannot take on your overall duties under the regulations or act as principal designer. It may be that your main contractor/builder will take on both these duties on for you and we recommend that you check their position and make sure that they are aware of the regulations and everyone’s role under them.

We are fully insured for all liabilities and professional indemnities. Copies of our certificates are available for viewing upon request. It is essential that anyone providing design services for your project is fully insured for professional indemnity.

Please find a link below for the Planning Portal, which can give you an insight into both the planning and building control process as well as a well of information to assist:

 https://www.planningportal.co.uk/

Here's a link to the Planning Portal fees calculator:

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/fee-calculator

Here's a link to find the local authority who's jurisdiction your project will be under:

https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

The planning system now allows certain projects that conform to a prescribed specification, to be built without the need for planning permission under 'permitted development rights'. There are exceptions for example, if the site was adjacent to a Conservation Area or had said 'rights' removed however you are also required to seek a Lawful Development Certificate from your planning department, which is slightly cheaper than a householder planning permission while also not requiring a public consultation. It does require the production of drawings to the same specification as full planning.  This isn't widely discussed however a perspective future purchaser's solicitor will certainly request one if construction appears to have taken place at the property within the last 4 years.

Below are a few links to help clarify:

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/lawful-development-certificates

https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/1app/guidance/guidance_note-lawful_development_certificates.pdf

This act is a statutory duty that protects both neighbours either side of the boundary when construction begins 'on' or 'close to' the party wall and should be served 2 months before any works commence.

It can help with cases of access disputes, where access is required across or over neighbour's land. It will also help mitigate any fraudulent previous damage claims.

Follow link below for gov.uk guide:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-resolving-disputes-in-relation-to-party-walls/the-party-wall-etc-act-1996-explanatory-booklet

Thinking of solar for your roof? Below is a link from the Energy Saving Trust which will estimate your energy potential, as well as initial cost and savings over it's lifetime:

https://www.pvfitcalculator.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

For details of an Air or Ground Source Heat Pump, again from the Energy Savings Trust is a link explaining how they work, the diferences between the 2 types and estimated installations costs.

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/air-source-heat-pumps-vs-ground-source-heat-pumps/