Architectural
Advice

Are you considering a home extension, conversion or new build project? With over 25 years of experience delivering award-winning architecture across Somerset, Bath and the South West, we understand that navigating planning regulations and design decisions can feel overwhelming.

Professional architectural advice at the outset can save significant time, money and stress. We offer free initial consultations to help you understand your options, clarify the process and explore what's possible for your property.

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Why Professional Architectural Advice Matters

We have represented the RIBA and exhibited as 'Ask an Architect' experts at the Bath and South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Frome's Improve Don't Move events, helping residents understand their options before committing to major building work.

Backed by extensive advisory experience, cutting-edge technical expertise, and a highly respected portfolio of work, we provide guidance that’s both practical and inspiring. Whether it’s a contemporary extension, or a distinctive barn conversion, or sustainable design or a highly efficient Passivhaus, we are committed to helping you realise your ambitions with confidence and creativity.

Understanding Planning Permission

Planning permission requirements vary significantly depending on your location, property type and proposed works. Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas impose additional controls beyond standard Planning Legislation. Similarly, rural locations often involve considerations around Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, heritage constraints and agricultural building policies.

Our extensive experience across Somerset Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council, and other surrounding Local Authorities means we understand local planning policies and planners expectations and can anticipate potential challenges. We've successfully secured planning permissions for open countryside developments, contemporary extensions in Conservation Areas, barn conversions under Class Q Permitted Development, and innovative houses of exceptional quality to meet NPPF Paragraph 84 requirements.

When Do You Need Planning Permission?

Whether you are building from scratch, extending beyond Permitted Development limits, or working on a Listed Building or in a Conservation Area, you will usually need Detailed Planning Permission.

Permitted Development rights can streamline the process for certain extensions and conversions, and recent regulatory changes have expanded what homeowners can achieve—especially with rear extensions and lofts.

Because these rights vary by location and prior consents, we’ll assess your project in detail and craft a planning strategy that gives you the strongest possible chance of success.

What We Can Advise You On

House Extensions and Refurbishments

Our designs create spaces that work beautifully for modern family life. From contemporary, light-filled additions to carefully considered heritage refurbishments, we have delivered successful projects across Somerset and Bath. Our specialist experience in Bath’s Conservation Areas means we understand how to balance bold, modern design with the highest heritage respect.

Barn Conversions and Agricultural Buildings

With Somerset’s rich rural heritage, barn conversions present some of the region’s most exciting design opportunities. Our work spans everything from characterful stone barns outside Wells to sleek contemporary structures near Frome. A number of these projects have achieved national acclaim, including features in The Modern House and The New York Times.

Listed Buildings and Heritage Projects

Listed Buildings call for an exceptional level of care and deep knowledge of historic construction. Across Somerset and Bath, we have designed sensitive alterations to a wide range of Grade II listed properties, from elegant Georgian houses to characterful Victorian chapels—alongside a landmark extension to a Lutyens-designed Arts and Crafts residence.

Sustainable Design and Passivhaus

Recognised by the RIBA as expert sustainable designers we offer award winning knowledge and skills. Known by the Passivhaus Trust as the team for the first Passivhaus in Bristol and North Somerset we provide leading passive design skills. We deliver environmentally friendly homes of comfort and distinction with low running costs.

Paragraph 84 Houses in the Countryside

We can successfully secure Paragraph 84 permissions, presenting innovative sustainable designs that respond creatively to challenging rural sites. Our experience with the South West Design Review Panel mean we understand how to develop proposals that satisfy the demanding innovative and exceptional design quality threshold.

Building Regulations and Technical Requirements

We are an accredited Local Authority Building Control practice, with a clear understanding of the complex Building Regulations, and can streamline the Building Control Approval for you. With our technical knowledge Building Control approval will not be a problem and our technical details will give you a modern and efficient house in line with current Building Regulations.

Our Consultation Process

Free Initial Consultation

We offer free initial consultations to discuss your project ambitions and outline realistic next steps. These consultations provide valuable clarity on what's achievable within your budget and timeframe, helping you make informed decisions about proceeding.

We can meet on site to understand your property and its context, arrange virtual meetings via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, or simply have a telephone conversation to discuss your initial ideas.

What Will Be Discussed

Let’s explore your project together! During your consultation, we will discuss your requirements, explore creative design ideas, identify any planning or site challenges, and explain the approval process in simple terms. With professional and practical guidance on design, timescales, and costs, you will feel more confident about what is possible—and excited to take the next step.

What Happens Next?

Following your initial consultation, we will provide a detailed fee proposal outlining our services and costs for your specific project. Our fees are transparent and tailored to project complexity, ensuring you receive appropriate service levels without paying for unnecessary work.

Once appointed, we will develop your brief and design through clear stages with defined review points, ensuring you remain involved and informed throughout. We manage planning and building regulations applications, liaise with consultants and contractors, and guide you through the entire process from initial concept design options to completion of the building on site - turning your vision into a beautifully realized project, efficiently and confidently.

Architectural Advice Covering Somerset, Bath and the South West

Based in our converted chapel office near Bath, we work throughout Somerset, Bath and the wider South West region. Weare your local architects for Bath, Bristol, Bruton, Frome, Wells, Radstock, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil and surrounding areas. We also work across Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Hampshire.

Our local knowledge proves invaluable when navigating Somerset and Bath planning systems. We understand local planning policies, have established relationships with planning officers, and know what design approaches work well in different areas. This local expertise, combined with our technical capabilities and design creativity, helps us secure permissions and deliver successful projects even on challenging sites.

Get in Touch for Expert Architectural Advice

If you are considering a building project and would like expert advice, please get in touch. We respond to all enquiries promptly and look forward to discussing how we can help you achieve your architectural ambitions.

With over 25 years of practice, award-winning projects and recognition from the RIBA as a Quality Assured Chartered Practice, we combine proven expertise with personal, responsive service. Let's discuss what we can create together.

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