Gloucestershire Barn Conversion Completed

The construction team have now finished the barn conversion previously mentioned in this blog. I have attached a picture below of the finished article. 

The transformation has been stunning and the picture doesn’t do the barn justice. It was taken on one of the ‘grey’ cold days that have dominated this winter.  We will be compiling a “stage-by-stage” photo montage of the project to feature on the website.

The choice of materials used in this project was important. We selected and sourced green oak felled and processed within ten miles of the site. It is important to use local suppliers and tradesmen where possible.

A common thread within these posts is the weather and how it has affected the building projects.  Currently there is no change with sub-zero temperatures stopping the bricklayers.  So “fingers crossed” that we do have some better weather shortly.

The planning submissions and application have been strong over the last month. We have made various applications relating to vet’s practices, equestrian centres, residential extensions and new dwellings.

The scheme of works for our Spanish client is underway and progressing well. Once again this illustrates how the internet has been a phenomenal tool in transforming our business.

Some of you may know about our e-petition to reduce the level of VAT on extensions from 20%. The number of signatories is rising and we would be grateful if people would either sign or recommend it to friends, colleagues or family members.  The petition can be found at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/39637

Negotiations are also underway in connection with designing a 50 flat development within a city centre environment, which is both exciting and good news. More of the ‘larger’ developments starting the planning process will mean eventually more construction jobs for the economy, and greater confidence in the market place - great news.

Well the budget came and went with not a great deal of substance. I really think it’s a case of just keep working hard and providing great customer service at a fair price.  We do have many repeat customers and referrals and are very proud of our planning success rate. That is the successful formula we have applied over the last 15 years.

Gloucestershire Barn Conversion Nears Completion

The construction team are progressing very well on the conversion of the barns to residential units despite the weather doing its best to upset the situation - rain, frost and even more rain! Currently the oak cladding is being fitted. The turf has been laid in the garden and the boundary fences installed. Overall it’s a wonderful transformation. We will post some photos (showing ‘before’ and ‘after’) of the finished article soon. 

From a planning viewpoint we have made various applications over the last few weeks ranging from new houses to student accommodation. 

We have also been appointed by a client who resides in Spain with a holiday home in London, who wants to extend and refurbish the London property.  I shall keep you posted on the planning progress. Once again this reinforces what I have said before that distance should not be viewed as an obstacle to using our services.

Another new project  further reinforces the multi-national nature of our clients. The design team are currently compiling scheme drawings for the European Equestrian Centre and Offices of a Colorado-based company.  This is an exciting scheme which we are very proud to be involved with and includes an indoor Olympic-sized arena and a 40-box stable block. We are working closely with the project management team and client to ensure that the scheme can be constructed within budget and suitable to obtain the relevant planning and building control permissions.

Negotiations are also underway in connection with securing a 90 bed nursing home for a client which is a new build scheme on a brownfield site.

I had a very encouraging email from the chief executive of the HomeOwners Alliance (http://hoa.org.uk/) confirming that they support my views regarding the reduction in the rate of VAT and have written an open letter to the Housing Minister setting out their thoughts.  I notice the e-petition I started now has seven signatures so many thanks to those who have taken time to sign it.  The petition can be found at:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/39637

As a new year starts lets hope it’s prosperous for all.  It will be interesting to see what ideas the Government comes up with to try and help give a much needed lift to the economy.  The previous tinkering with the planning system does not appear to have done much.

Cut VAT on Residential and Commercial Extensions

Well further to my recent blog I have actually started an e-petition trying to encourage people to support the cutting of VAT on building extensions for a period of two years.

Cut VAT on Building Extensions

I thought that instead of the usual apathy let’s try and do something about it - you never know, it may work!  So please feel free to sign-up to the petition.  I am sure the reduction in VAT for extensions would be a tremendous boost to the construction industry. Thinking about it logically, if by this reduction 5000 people across the country were inclined to undertake a £50,000 extension, that would result in another £250million circulating around the economy.

The current 20% VAT on a £50,000 extension is another £10,000 which goes straight to the Government.  Our clients say that this additional money is currently stopping them from extending primarily for two reasons:

1) the cost itself and 
2) it takes the value of the house above the price ceiling of the other properties in their road.

What I consider important is that this would boost local economies around the country, helping small builders, electricians and plumbers etc.  All these people would then surely look to spend back into their local economy.

The link for the e-petition is

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/39637

Please have a look and consider signing.

Building Starts on Barn Conversions

The construction team have started work on a pair of barn conversions this month.  The project is to convert a barn 30m long by 6m wide into a pair of two bedroom cottages.  Agrarian Ltd (Architecture) secured the “change of use” planning and  building control approvals and now it is over to the Agrarian Construction team to complete the project.

Work is progressing well despite the weather doing its best to upset the situation.  Last week we managed to pour the concrete floor slab.  The slab is a reinforced concrete raft which will carry the internal walls and ultimately the roof loading. 

The pour was 46 cubic metres of concrete which was placed by pump.  Currently the internal block walls are being constructed, under tarpaulins, to ensure progress during the poor weather.

From a planning viewpoint we have made various applications over the last few weeks ranging from houses and flats to barn conversions.  I was also lucky enough to discuss a possible new dwelling for a client about half an hour from Geneva; I would certainly enjoy the site visits for that project.  Distance certainly isn’t a problem. The flight is only one hour and ten minutes from the City of London Airport and then it’s a half hour drive from Geneva airport.

All of the politicians are now looking at ways to improve the economy by boosting the construction output, which is a great thing, but let us wait until something actually happens before we “put the bunting out”. 

We are also currently compiling a planning application for another equestrian centre, veterinary practice and key workers’ dwelling. These schemes are being prepared for planning submissions, with the intention of construction works starting after Christmas.

I see Labour want to build lots of affordable houses to boost the economy - good idea but unless they tell the banks to lend then people won’t be able to either build or buy them.  Perhaps I should start an e-petition to get politicians to reduce VAT on extensions for two years down from 20% to 5% - now that would help. I shall investigate and let you know how I get on.

The Government Is Going To Change The Planning System Again!!!

Well the Government has published another gem! It’s a scheme to kick-start the economy by reducing planning laws once again.  Many people have contacted me today to see if they can now build a larger extension as a result of watching Mr Clegg on the BBC morning news.  However, as always “the devil is in the detail” as they say. I’ve attached a link to the Government’s website for the exact statement issued by Eric Pickles (quite an apt name for what they are doing to the planning system !).

The link is:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/statements/corporate/housingandgrowth

I would really like to know what people think of the statement made by the Government.

In all don’t get your hopes up. I really don’t think it will help Joe Public to build larger extensions, but let’s wait and see.

In my very humble opinion, the simplest way of encouraging the building of extensions is to reduce the VAT on extensions from 20% down to say 10% or 5% (new-build is 0% !!!!).  The biggest grumble we get from the householder is the quote for their extension is £60,000 plus VAT, which is then another £12,000, taking the spend up to £72,000 which in a lot of cases makes the extension unviable.  So please Mr Cameron & Clegg just reduce the VAT on this sector.

I will keep you posted as things develop!!

Barn Conversions and Planning Applications

Wow! - where has this year gone? Time is simply flying by, the summer has been and gone and now it’s autumn!  I know it’s autumn mainly because my 11 year old son said Dr Who is back on the television in the autumn. As it was screened on Saturday he confirmed to me it’s now autumn!! Nothing to do with leaves changing colour. Mmm…. progress.

We have been watching the Olympics and currently the Paralympics both of which are absolutely brilliant.  A very big well done to the athletes and all the people who actually made it happen. It does show that collectively when GB people put their minds to it, they can achieve.  I just hope the press keep positive about it all rather than digging for sour grape stories, so let’s keep that positive mood going everyone.  

Although one thing that does completely frustrate me is that the Government has just given the banks another £80 billion as QE but we have clients who have enormous trouble trying to borrow £8,000!!! Come on banks help people and just be fair. A strange concept I know but if everyone pulls together and works for the common good of the country we can achieve.

Onto the work front, we are currently working on a broad spectrum of projects, from barn conversions (two of those!) to new dwellings and apartment buildings.

The planning application approval rate is still being maintained at our 99% for the last ten years, something we are all very proud of.  I also assure you that we make more than one application a year!!  We do cover a very broad spectrum of planning applications from commercial to residential.

I visited a client’s project last week for whom we obtained planning permission, building control approval and constructed the works.  The purpose of the visit was to review the project as it was completed some six months earlier, I am both proud and pleased to say that the works still look stunning, and, most importantly, the client still has a beaming smile and is so pleased with the finished project (their words not mine).

More London Planning and Building Control Applications

Half-way through March (a quarter of the way through the year !!!) - gosh, where’s the time going ?  The only consolation I can find is that we are busy which can only be a good thing in the current climate. 

Works are progressing at a great rate on the extension and refurbishment of another project in central London.  The client flies in from Italy for the site meeting and then back afterwards.  With the use of the internet, distance is not a problem, as long as the whole team from builder, designers and clients are all ‘can do’ people it all works very well.

With regards to planning approvals gained, we have secured a diverse selection ranging from a horse racing yard to housing.  However, some have been challenging where we have had to meet with planning officers to ‘encourage’ them to see our way of thinking and gain the appropriate approvals.

Our sister company, Agrarian Construction, has completed the remodelling works to a large detached dwelling.  We reconfigured both the ground and first floors, creating a large open-plan family space and better bedroom space respectively.  All the works were completed on time and within the agreed budget with the client. 

I should also congratulate the Architecture Team on winning a planning appeal on behalf of one of our clients.  The scheme was challenging to say the least and the planning officer was not exactly helpful - I was certain they were more interested in meeting their targets rather than making the correct decision.  However, the Planning Inspectorate agreed with our thoughts and overturned the planner’s decision and approved the scheme much to our and the client’s joy.  We have quickly moved the scheme on and are currently compiling the Building Control drawings.

Whilst at a meeting with a Senior Planning Officer, the topic of the Government's desire to simplify the planning system arose, and I for one would have to agree with the planner's thoughts. How can the Government hope to make the planning system easier and better for all by condensing the current planning guidance (which is 1000 pages long) to a document which is just 24 pages ! Please explain how they will successfully achieve this ?  Time will tell. Is it one of those ‘Great Ideas’ that just gets kicked into the long grass when people actually sit down and think how they are going to achieve their goals. Mmm...  we shall see.