Works are making excellent progress at Bells Cottage in Somerset. The roof is currently undergoing re-slating after the bat-friendly (Bat Safe) breather membrane was successfully installed. Simultaneously, internal renovations are underway, with the development of new rooms, insulation, plastering, and the installation of underfloor heating all moving forward swiftly.
Evan House has now been completed within the development of Hartrow Farm. Located on a split level site Evan House is located on the lower level with outstanding views of the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel. The site sits in a beautiful and unspoilt rural location on the edge of the Brendon Hills and Exmoor National Park.
Work is nearing completion to convert a redundant machinery barn into a 4 bedroom property near North Petherton, Somerset.
Works were completed near the end of last year on a new build house, designed to be built into the contours of the existing land with internal splits levels. The main living area being located on the lower level and bedroom accommodation on the higher. Externally a grass roof was used to reduce the impact of the new property in its surroundings.
We were asked by Dave & Helen to obtain planning and building regulations for their renovation and extension of Bells Cottage. Works started late last year and are progressing well and Helen has created an Instagram page where the progress can be followed Bells Cottage (@backatbellscottage) • Instagram photos and videos
The latest legislative changes relating to The Building Safety Act 2022 were to be published at the end of latest month with changes to be made to commencement and completion requirements.
Please see the summary of changes to commencement and completion requirements that may impact your projects. A link to the legislation can be found here - The Building Safety Act: secondary legislation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Notice of Commencement
As of 1st October 2023, for applications to be considered as started for the purposes of Regulation 13(5) of The Building Regulations 2010; and Section 32 of The Building Act 1984, the works will need to have progressed to at least one of the following:
Progressed to damp proof course level (if foundations are applicable); or
15% completion of the overall project
Under Regulation 16 (3C) it is now a legal requirement that within five days after the work has commenced, the person carrying out work must give notice to the Building Control Body.
Please note that this does not change the requirement for a valid Building Control application to be submitted to Building Control prior to any works commencing on site. The above stages are only relevant to Regulation 13(5) of The Building Regulations 2010 and Section 32 of The Building Act 1984.
Notice of Completion
A Compliance Notice will be required for ALL Projects that are subject to a Building Regulations Application upon 5 days of the completion of works. A template for this notice will be issued and sent to the applicant/agent when the acknowledgement letter is issued. We will not be able to issue a completion certificate until all relevant parties have signed this.
The Notice of Completion will require the following information: The name, address, telephone number and (if available) email address of the client, principal contractor, and principal designer.
A statement will be required from the applicant to say that the works have been completed and complies with all the applicable regulations to the best of their knowledge.
A statement will also be required from both the principal contractor and principal designer (if applicable) to confirm they have fulfilled their duties under Part 2A (duty holders and competence). The duties for this can be found here - The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk)
Reconfiguration & Alterations to a property in Langport, Somerset
Read MoreSince our last blog it has been a busy 9 months with a number of projects obtaining planning and us preparing building regulations drawings for these scheme and then getting them on site.
In the past month we have obtained planning consent for 5 new houses in Lydeard St Lawrence. Whilst works have been progressing with speed in Cossington and Oxford.
In the South West we have been heavily been affected over the past 2 years by the Nutrient Neutrality rules with the Government proposing the extend the rules from the current 32 local planning authorities to a further 42.
Read MoreThe office is currently very busy with many projects on-going over the last year ranging from planning and listed building consents through to making a start on site. A project has recently started on site near Woking for a replacement dwelling, footings are well underway. An extension to a house in Taunton has recently been completed after the contractor continued to work through all of last year. Similarly, a house extension was completed in Henley at the end of last year (please see photos below).
We have also recently obtained planning and listed building consent for an extension to a curtilage grade II barn in Curry Rivel and some new entrance gates, barn alterations and internal alteration to a Grade II* Manor House in Fivehead.
A third and final dwelling is also about to commence on a site in Martinstown, Dorset, completing the development.
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Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Tandem Architects
Read MoreWorks are progressing well on a project in Taunton, currently on site to replace an existing uninsulated extension to the main house with a new bespoke single storey extension. The works also comprise of internal alterations to create a central circulation space with new entrance hall, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Space, Utility Area and 4th Bedroom with En-suite.
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Although it has been a very challenging year we are glad to say that a number of projects were completed to both programme and budget.
We are looking forward to the new year with a number of projects currently awaiting planning approval and several just about to go out to tender. We will provide an update on the progress of these projects in the new year.
Work has commenced on the build of 3 new properties in Martinstown, just outside Dorchester. Planning was obtained in September this year following consultation and liaison with Dorset Council. Following the issue of planning consent, building regulations and production information was prepared in collaboration with the timber frame manufacturer in readiness for commencement on site.
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Great news to see that Somerset Rural Life Museum has now reopened after lockdown, please do go a visit (https://swheritage.org.uk/somerset-rural-life-museum/).
We assisted the South West Heritage Trust with the new floor surface inside the Abbey Barn to record the archaeological surface exposed following archaeological investigations and prepare proposal drawings for the new floor.
This was a complex project to ensure that the sensitive archaeological horizon was protected and all new services and floor surfaces did not impact on this zone.
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Work has just been completed on the internal alterations and extension of a family home to create a new kitchen, dining room, family room with office space and utility room with cloakroom. The extension was designed to complement the existing style of the original house utilising a matching palette of materials.
Read MoreWe are happy to confirm that Planning Consent has been granted for a new residential development in Bedminster, Bristol consisting of 4 (3 Bedroom) Apartments on a Brownfield site located centrally with Bedminister. The design has been based on the need to achieve sustainable construction incorporating energy efficient design, renewable energies, rainwater harvesting, sustainable urban design system, biodiversity enhancement and a minimum 20% C02 reduction.
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We are glad to say that although the past 6 months have been very strange our on-site projects are slowly getting back to normal with 3 completing in the past month. It has been a bit of a learning curve in regards to how contract administration adapts to the delay caused by COVID-19, especially when building sites were not required to shut, but staff and building supplies had stopped. However, we have been able to address this with minimal impact to both our clients and the contractors.
Read MoreIt has been well published that the government are looking to develop permitted development for 2 storey extensions. However, as yet no additional information has been provided on how this can be undertaken or the legal method needed to be undertaken.
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