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 MoreNew Planning Law for 2 Storey Extension's
It 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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April Update
Very sadly due to the coronavirus outbreak a number of our client’s sites have understandably needed to shut down (‘force majeure’). Therefore, we thought it was a good time to just post an update of what we’ve been up to and for you to see the progress of these projects.
We have also been very busy securing planning and building regulations applications over the past months and want to ensure this continues over this very strange period to ensure our industry keeps going. This has also been emphasised by all Local Authorities.
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Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
We have some very exciting projects moving forward in the near year and so please visit our blog page from time to time to keep updated or you can follow us on twitter.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Tandem Architects
Photo by Anton Scherbakov on Unsplash
Architects Registration Board
We understand that it is very difficult when undertaking a project as there are many different aspects of design and procurement that need to be considered and agreed. One aspect of this is appointing the right professional and qualified person to assist you. Unfortunately there are a number of companies and individuals who suggest that they can provide an architectural service however, you should always check that they are recognised by the Architects Registration Board if they state they are qualified as as an ‘Architect’. We are proud to be fully qualified architects and registered as professional.
Read MoreOn Site Works Progressing Well
We currently have a number of projects on site which are at different stages of construction and completion. These have provided some challenges both in the form of construction in regards to the integration of a sunken wine cellar and tide pool, as well as working within tight site constraints and existing building conditions.
Hopefully within the next month 3 of these projects will be completed with another due for completion in the new year. We also have another 2 projects starting within the next few weeks and will hopefully have some news on these projects in the near future.
Year 3
Year 3 has flown by with many new projects ranging in stages of work, design and complexity.
We have several projects on site that are well underway including a domestic extension which is nearing completion in Langport and the conversion of a former Primary School into 4 residential units and a holiday let, aiming to be completed early next year.
We look forward to continuing to develop some other projects towards securing planning and listed building consent including the conversion of a public house to community facilities, domestic extensions commencing Building Regulation stages of work and new education facilities commencing on site.
Grade II* Manor House and Gatehouse, Somerset
We have assisted the clients with seeking planning consents for a new studio building and kitchen garden within the curtilage of the house. More recently we have assessed the existing condition of the Gatehouse building, liaised with the local Conservation Officer and Historic England to discuss a future use and potential grant funding options to support its future repair.
Read MoreBusy Start to the New Year
It’s been a very busy start to the new year with the commencement of a number of projects on site including the conversion of Burrowbridge School in Somerset to residential properties, a new development in Bishop’s Lydeard and extension to a cottage in Pitney. All are proceeding well and we will upload some photos of progress when we can.
We are also have some very exciting new commissions for projects in Dunkeswell and Branscombe in Devon and look forward to developing these design’s over the next few months and updating our blog with their progress.
Photo by Duncan Sanchez on Unsplash
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. We have a number of very exciting projects to move forward in the near year and so please visit our blog page from time to time to keep updated or you can follow us on twitter.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Planning Approvals
Its been a very busy week in the office with planning permission granted for a number of projects ranging from the redevelopment of a redundant school building into residential properties, a number of extensions to create additional living space and change of use from agricultural land to domestic use.
These applications have required on-going monitoring and liaison with different local authorities including Taunton Deane Borough Council, South Somerset, Mendip & West Dorset Councils.
Next year we will upload some of these projects as they are completed on site.
Works to a new dwelling at Charminster, Dorset to be completed in the next few months.
Alterations & Extension, Bishop Sutton
Works are currently on-going with the renovation and extension of an existing 2 bedroom bungalow to a 4 bedroom family home in Bishop Sutton, Somerset. The work involves a new side and rear extension creating a large open plan family space consisting of living, dining room and kitchen with large boot space and utility. The front of the ground floor has been reconfigured to provide a master bedroom with en-suite and an additional guest bedroom. At first floor 2 new bedrooms have been created with a family bathroom.
Home Office, Gym & Car Port, Easton, Somerset
The project consists of new home office with gym, store and car port to complement the existing farmhouse conversion. The proposal provides a large first floor area to be used as a home office taking advantage of the countryside views around the site. The ground floor accommodates a bespoke gymnasium, machinery store and covered car port space.
The building is to be constructed as a timber frame structure with works proposing to commence on site within the next few months.
New House, Dorchester, Dorset
New detached dwelling and carport is nearing completion on site. The new dwelling utilises an existing brownfield site in a rural location which was designed to incorporate significant topographical changes across the site.
The construction has primarily been in timber frame so as to benefit from its enhanced thermal qualities and ease of build.
From inception and development of the project to completion on site via planning and building regulation approval it has taken approximately a year.
Single & Two Storey Extension, Langport, Somerset
The project comprised of a single and two storey rear extension to an existing blue lias stone cottage. The proposals incorporate the introduction of a new staircase to improve the layout of the existing cottage and a new split level rear single storey extension with mono-pitch metal roof facing onto the existing garden.
A number of technical construction details have been resolved during the Building Regulations process regarding retailing walls and waterproofing details due to the complex site levels.
The project is currently at the building regulations stage of work and we await full plans sign off before commencement of the project on-site.
Side and Rear Extension, Taunton, Somerset
Single storey rear extension and internal alterations to a three-storey semi-detached town house. The property was located within a conservation area and therefore the larger two storey element was designed to respect and respond to the existing brick detailing, window fenestration etc. with the single storey rear extension being a new modern component to the design.
The site has restricted access and therefore it was essential to ensure the construction methods chosen for the new build elements responded to this and were designed in.
The project has commenced on site with footings now in.
Year Two
Year 2 has flown by with many new projects ranging in stages of works, design and complexity. These comprise of both domestic and commercial projects from small extensions, new build houses, conversion and adaption of existing listed buildings and new build structures including a proposed museum.
The past year has also been very exciting with a number of projects completed on site and more about to commence within the next few months (Please see some of our upcoming blogs).
Note:
South Somerset District Planning Delay
SSDC are currently experience a delay in their validation process of 5 weeks which is causing an effect on the determination of application. Therefore, on a standard house holder or full Plans application you will need to consider that this decision process from submission will take a minimum of 13 weeks.
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 Garden Room & House Refurbishment
New garden room and house refurbishment in Kingston St Mary, Somerset completed in time to enjoy the summer sun.
Private clients approached the practice to assist with developing proposals for a new garden room ‘link’ extension, a new front porch and internal and external refurbishment works. We have undertaken a full service for the project from initial measured building survey to on-site monitoring to completion. The clients have been able to resolve the layout of the property to work for them whilst also updating the house to be more aesthetically pleasing.
