Agrarian Wins an Award from the Local Building Authority for the West of England

What a great month June turned out to be.  Agrarian had been nominated by Bath and North East Somerset Council Local Building Control Department for the work we carry out in a partnering agreement with them.  We were pitched up against some very large companies; however we actually won an award for:

Best Customer Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team

West of England
Highly Commended

So a very big well done to all the team and our clients over the last year. Some clients ask why are we using a building control department from Bath for a project in, say, London. The main reasons are that we are able to offer:

• a faster turnaround of the application so that a client can start on site quicker, therefore saving the client both time and money

• if there are any issues they can be dealt with swiftly and professionally

•  cost savings on both the Plan Checking and Inspection Fees for our clients

So it’s a win-win situation for all.

Planning Permission For Olympic-Size Indoor Equestrian Arenas, All-Weather Gallops and Stabling Plus Building Regulations Part L (April 2014)

There has been a varied selection of enquiries and appointments so far this month including two equestrian projects. One involves an equestrian centre including 40 loose boxes, an all-weather gallop, an Olympic-size indoor arena plus visitors’ accommodation. All in all a very exciting project for which the client wishes Agrarian to compile planning permission and building control submissions.  In addition to this, Agrarian have been appointed to undertake the planning permission and building control submissions for an indoor Olympic-size arena, stabling and staff accommodation for a client with whom we have worked with in the past, which is particularly pleasing. Being appointed in this way for other projects is great on two levels: firstly  – it’s an endorsement that the work previously undertaken must have been to their satisfaction and secondly - we already know the client’s expectations we have to meet and, hopefully, exceed.

The barn conversion works onsite are currently drawing to an end with only about three weeks left (weather permitting) as the groundworks on the garden and repointing of the barn is progressing well. As previously promised, I will ensure that there are many photographs posted upon completion, so please watch this space.  In addition to the barn conversion, the flats development project has reached the half-way point and remains on track.

There has also been over the last few months an influx of schemes where we have undertaken planning permission and building control applications for roof terraces within Central London. This reflects how much space is at a premium in this locality and the increasing desire to have an outside space however small.

Agrarian’s coveted success rate for planning approvals has been maintained with further approvals for both residential and commercial projects.

I attended a seminar recently in connection with the new Part L of the Building Regulations due to come into force next month (April 2014).  Mmmm .... it appears, once again, that there has been ‘Expert’ tinkering by the Government in an attempt to improve the carbon footprint and insulation of new and extended buildings. One of the gems they have thought of is, yes, there are higher thermal requirements for buildings - unless they are either listed or in a conservation area when they may be exempt!! When the Government representative at the seminar was asked what is meant by ‘may be exempt’ the response was “it’s at the discretion of the building control officer and listed planning officer” - so “clear as mud”.  Also a very interesting one is that on a housing site a developer may use a carbon offset company so instead of improving the carbon footprint of the home they may buy ‘credits’ from specialist carbon offset companies. We were just left to wonder “what’s the point” !   Another wriggle is if a developer for say a site for 1000 houses registers the site now (it doesn’t need to have planning approval!) for the princely sum of £25  then as long as they have started onsite (e.g. poured the foundation for just one house) by April 2016 then the whole site can be built under the current building regulations thus circumventing the costs involved with the increased insulation and carbon targets. Mmm ... so that’s in the true spirit of things -  well done chaps!!! Rant over.

Planning Permission for Equestrian Centres, Barn Conversions and Student Accommodation

The Agrarian team are very busy working upon a large equestrian centre for a regional division of the Police Force. This scheme is proving to be challenging with both its size and complexities but we are really enjoying the challenge.

The large schemes submitted for student accommodation in the Midlands have been successful in gaining planning permission so a very big pat on the back for all those involved. The construction teams are now busy converting these old buildings with a considerable amount of thought.

A scheme to convert a large dwelling in London into three flats has begun on site with works progressing well. As soon as possible I will post some photographs.

On another site, a barn conversion is in its final stages.  This particular scheme is being developed by the Agrarian team. It  consists of a large, three bedroom, single storey barn conversion, complete with en-suite and a large family bathroom, coupled with a very large family room/kitchen. Many of the rooms have large picture windows and vaulted ceilings.  The barn has the benefit of underfloor heating and travertine floor covering.  With this project we are very proud of the design and the construction works and I think it warrants a few blog pages of its own, so please come back soon and I will ensure that there are plenty of "before" and "after" photographs.

On a different note, I feel that I am slipping into old age, I was discussing with a client how computers and the internet have changed our lives and work over the last ten years.  This change has been phenomenal but it has also affected children’s behaviour significantly. This is particularly marked when I compare my children and their use of these gadgets compared to my childhood of building dens and playing with sticks with my friends ! My son is able to play online with four of his friends from the comfort of his armchair with all of his friends being 30 miles apart !  Mmm how things change !

    

Apartment Development Gains Planning Permission

Agrarian have gained planning permission for a residential development within a larger, mixed-use retail scheme.  This phase involves ten new apartments. Currently we are busy compiling the building control and construction drawings.  This comes hot on the heels of ten other apartments within the same scheme which are now complete.

The photo below is of one of the finished flats, which had a sale price in the region of £85,000 which represents good value for a two bedroom flat.

Below are further pictures of the kitchen and the master bedroom within the two bedroom flat.

This element forms part of a much larger retail site of some 4.5 acres. Coupled with the residential planning applications we are also making applications for both office and retail schemes. All in all, this is a very interesting and exciting development.

Planning for Student Accommodation and Shopping Centres

The design team are busy at work on two large schemes for student accommodation in the Midlands. The schemes involve the conversion and extension of old, redundant, commercial premises which haven’t been used for years. There is something very satisfying bringing back into use old, redundant buildings, but also sad when I walk around these almost derelict buildings walking in the footsteps of people gone by ! We are looking to have these schemes together for the formal planning submission by Christmas.

 To continue with the complete mixed bag of work we undertake here at Agrarian, the redevelopment of a large West Country shopping centre has progressed to site. We are currently compiling schemes involving residential accommodation to the upper areas, whilst rationalising and updating/extending the ground floor commercial areas. These range from fast food takeaways, restaurants, retail (various) and even a public house. This scheme is both challenging and rewarding. The site itself is over 4½ acres plus car parking with the original structures in good order but considered dated. The task is to bring the whole development up-to-date whilst maintaining the operation of the existing retail units.

 On the equestrian front, works are progressing on the development of the scheme drawings for a 38 box yard complete with ancillary accommodation, indoor and outdoor arenas. As with the other work, undertaking this scheme is a challenge for many different reasons. However the priority is always to ensure that the client’s brief is fulfilled and that they are completely satisfied with the final product, which is no mean feat ! 

 People have asked me on many occasions ‘what’s the chance of getting planning on this site etc ?’ I always try and research a site for a client prior to commenting. This is in an attempt to ensure that the advice is both useful and site-specific. Planning can be affected by many things, some of which may seem quite innocent on the surface. However, upon delving into the site and local history a whole myriad of issues can surface. The usual ‘kiss of death’ is when a client says ‘its ok - it’s just a simple fill the forms in and pop it into the planners, who said on the phone that is a simple rubber stamp’ . This usually results in an unholy ‘bun fight’ with the planners and neighbours ! The one saving grace I would say (blowing our own trumpet) is that over the last ten years we have secured a planning approval success rate of 99.1% which includes those applications we have had to take to appeal and won !

More Barn Conversion Photos and Equestrian Centre News

We have been asked to put some more photos on our blog of the recently completed barn conversion. Above is the front entrance elevation complete with parking to the side with connecting path to the front.  Below is another photograph illustrating the internal finished rooms.  We are very proud of the project as all of the feedback to date has been extremely positive.

Design works are currently underway for a new mounted horse division headquarters for Avon and Somerset Constabulary which is very exciting. We will keep everyone updated with the project as it progresses.

 

Negotiations continue relating to the design of a 50 flat development within a city-centre environment. The design team are enjoying the challenges which come with such a development.

Half-way through the year, not long until the children break-up for the summer holidays!! Someone mentioned the other day that we are getting closer to Christmas - suffice to say he received short shrift.  Let’s hope we have a better summer -fingers crossed.

With the recent announced changes to the planning system we have yet to be asked by any clients if they can make use of the more relaxed planning laws.  I also note one local authority we work with commented yesterday that they have only received one application based on the new system.  It will be interesting to say the least if the ‘tinkering’ by the Government helps as much as they predict to stimulate the development / building market. I’m not particularly hopeful, however let’s watch that space. 

As an aside, the Lions tour down under has started and, to date, it has been a clean sweep but the ‘test’ matches have yet to start.  The players are behaving themselves well (better than the Australian cricket team!!) and have no major injury concerns.  The rugby matches watched so far have been varied with some great team play so it’s with great anticipation I look forward to the first test match.  Will it be a summer for ‘the Poms’ or ‘the Aussies’ ? Time will tell.

Another Barn Conversion Completed in Gloucestershire

Work has progressed well on another barn conversion which is now completed. The photograph above shows the high standard of finish and quality of materials with floors and internal doors in oak and granite kitchen work-tops. Externally the barn is finished with locally sourced green oak cladding, galvanised guttering and downpipes with a natural slate roof over.  I will endeavour to ensure that there are further photographs upon our web site.

The photograph below shows the rear elevation with the large, highly efficient, double glazed units illustrating just how light and airy the rooms are which is extenuated by the high-vaulted ceilings within all of the rooms.

The planning applications keep on coming with more approvals, one in particular was for another equestrian centre in Staffordshire.  

Great news this week also for our client based in Spain - we have secured planning approval for their London property  , so well done team.

With the influx of planning approvals comes the works associated with the compilation and submission of Building Control Submissions to the Local Authority.  However, we are in a very fortunate position whereby we have a partnering agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Local Authority, which means our applications are fast tracked to provide a better service for our clients.

The planning and architecture team are back at college! That is we are currently designing new layouts for Sandwell College in West Bromwich.  The work entails revising and rationalising the current layouts so as to make better use of the current overall space, in addition to providing a new chemistry laboratory.