Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing

Who says that on-going professional development is boring! We thank Richard Bent at Red Anvil for a very informative, hands-on and fun day spent in his workshop. Following a short demonstration of the basic techniques we were let loose on the traditional coal-fired forges and modern gas furnaces to make our masterpieces or in some circumstances just to hammer the anvils. Richard's hand on approach and teaching was appreciated and by the end of the day we all had something resembling either a heart, poppy or leaf of some type.

Permission in Principle

A new planning route to obtain permission in principle (PIP) for small housing developments can now be made to local authorities in England via the Planning Portal.

The scope of PIP is limited to minor developments of up to nine homes and under 1000sqm of commercial floorspace on a site of less than one hectare and subject to location, land use and the amount of development. The main purpose of the development must be housing.

For more information please follow the attached link.
 

New Rear Extension Approved

Recently received planning approval for a new rear extension to a Victorian Town House in Taunton. The proposals incorporate a replacement rear kitchen and dining space with a new glazed gable and timber louvers opening out onto the existing garden. We are now currently in the process of preparing Building Regulation drawings for construction on site in autumn this year.

New Dwelling, Dorset

Currently under construction is a one-off new 4-bedroom dwelling in Dorset. The building is being constructed on timber frame and clad in local natural stone. Tandem Architects have been involved with developing sketch scheme drawings, submitting a reserved matter planning application and preparing building regulations drawings for the project. The site involved clearing conditions relating to soil contamination, rights of way and topographical restraints.

New Year 2018

Christmas over in a flash and now were into an exciting 2018!

We’re busy chasing planning applications and await decisions on projects currently in with West Dorset, Mendip, South Somerset and Taunton Deane Councils. 

We are developing sketch scheme options for the conversion of a former primary school into residential units and progressing a number of Building Regulation packages for one off houses and extensions. 

After studying ‘A Ladybird ‘Achievements’ book – The Story of Houses and Homes’ over the Christmas break we thought we post some images from the book we particularly liked, especially the Elizabethan Montacute House!

The First Year

It has been a very exciting first year which has seen the completion of the Somerset Rural Museum Abbey Barn floor, completion of a new music studio within the curtilage of a Grade II* listed property and the receipt of planning consents for a number of contemporary extensions and alteration projects. Within the next year construction work will start on a number of these projects and so watch this space for photograph's as works proceed.

We are also developing some new build projects and these should be moving towards the planning stage in the near future.

We are constantly updating our pinterest page & twitter feeds along with our facebook page so please feel free to follow us for updates and design ideas.

We also hope to give you more information on our interest in SPAB and the 20th Century Society in the next year.

Somerset Rural Life Museum has now reopened

After 2 years of extensive renovation works to the Visitor Centre and Abbey Barn the SRLM reopened on the 3rd of June. We were pleased to have been involved with the works to the Abbey Barn floor, which included a full measured survey of the floor following archaeological recording, incorporation of new electrical services and new floor surfaces to the Scheduled Monument.

The barn was built in the 1340’s to store produce from the Glastonbury Abbey estates and continued in use as a farm building until 1972, even after the Abbey’s dissolution in 1539.

See attached link for more information https://www.swheritage.org.uk/abbey-barn