Inkpen Downie Architecture & Design Ltd

We’ve decided where a drain should be, helped out with acoustics and chosen new lighting in between designing entire buildings. All are vital parts or architecture and design. Often missed when you say you’re an “architect” is the breadth of knowledge and experience needed. All of it has to be current. After all if we knew everything about lighting 50 years ago we’d still be advising on where to place your lava lamps if our skills weren’t up to date.

Obviously we need to be highly competent and skilful when it comes to our building architecture but architecture has come a long way since four walls and a roof. We now have a huge variety of choice for the appearance and function of he walls and roofs. Should they be clad? Painted? Plastered? Tile the roof? With what? Solar anyone?

Regardless however of the finished item as created by an architect with the client’s instruction none of it has any value if it doesn’t get planning permission.

It’s no real surprise then that we sometimes get calls from clients who have either taken the DIY architecture route or have opted to employ a person who offers architectural services or planning services. Neither of the last two descriptions supplies architects. Architects are a protected species in the UK, so much so that an Act of Parliament defines usage of the title and unlawful users can be prosecuted! An architect in the UK will likely be a member of RIBA and will be listed on the Architects Registration Board website.

Usually when these clients contact us it is because a problem has arisen whether it’s a DIY SOS or they’ve employed someone. The problem is often easily identifiable by listening carefully for the word “refused”. Whichever route has been taken, it’s been to planning and the officer has said “no”. Disillusion has set in and help is needed.

We have succeeded time and again in getting a decision overturned whether it be for a change to a standard home, a Listed Building, historic property or a new housing development.

Some examples of recently refused planning that we’ve come across.
• A semi-detached listed building where the occupant of one side had applied for permission to extend sideways with a two storey extension. Refused on the basis that the original semi would then become the middle of a three house terrace.
• A group of bungalows in a seaside town on a piece of land in a residential area Refused as not in keeping with the town.
• Solar panels on the roof of a historic house Refused because it would change the appearance of the house.
• An application for 2 new builds in the back garden. Originally passed but then Refused when government thinking shifted slightly way from back garden plots
• A front extension on a lonesome building on a country road. Refused-because it’s too noticeable in the countryside.

So what becomes of these refusals? Four of the five we have no idea, they’re not projects we’re involved in. The other? Well maybe the client will accept the fee quote and we’ll be able to let you know in a few months time if this is another successful conversion from refusal to pass for us and another happy customer.

If you’d like help either before or after a planning application please contact us here and someone will call you back