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Green Belt Areas: Everything You Need To Know

20th December 20220

England’s 14 green belts cover around 12.4% of land in the country and provide a breath of fresh air for 30 million people. 

What is a green belt area?  

A green belt is a policy and land use zone designation used in land use planning. They retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighboring urban areas.  

There are three different types of land and they are:  

  • Brownfield – land that has been built on previously, but is now vacant or in need of redevelopment.  
  • Greenfield – land that has not been built on before (agricultural/grassland). 
  • Green belt – highly protected land with tight restrictions on development.  

Local planning authorities are extremely cautious about their green belt areas. This is because the purpose of one is to capture the fugitive emissions emanating from plant operations, alternate the noise generated and improve the aesthetic. 

New homes can be allowed in the green belt if they meet the need. And this exception only applies to specific policies in the local plan. And only then if the need for those homes is clearly demonstrated they will be able to live in a green belt area. Developers need to submit a case for very special circumstances in which the building would outweigh the resulting harm to the environment.  

How much does it cost to buy green belt land?  

The cost of the land largely depends on whether it has planning permission or not. Green belt land is usually cheap if it doesn’t have consent to build on. It is cheap because of the strong building restrictions. However, if the area has consent to build on it could sell for about £500,000 per acre. 

Green belts are intended to check further growth of large built-up areas such as London. This is because they need to prevent neighboring towns from merging into one another.

You definitely can’t overlook the benefits that green belts can offer for your health and wellbeing. For example, being in the countryside where it’s rich with nature, and there’s plenty of fresh air for everyone to enjoy. They also double up as local nature reserves. So, they work brilliantly for wildlife, allowing creatures to move between habitats safely and flourish in a mix of landscapes. 

Instead of viewing the Green Belts as a limitation to building more homes, we need to focus on restoring and enhancing the land. So, it can continue to provide a space for nature and a place to relax, play and grow our food. 

Hellerick – Own work

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Advice Center

What Season Should You Start Construction Work? The Ultimate Guide

15th December 20220

Looking to start construction work but are not sure when the best time of year is? This blog will help you decide.  

The climate is the biggest and most important factor when it comes to construction. This is because it determines the materials you can use and the longevity of the work.  

Autumn – Winter Construction

The autumn and winter periods are a classic time for dangerous construction sites. many accidents happen because the ground is often slippery and wet. Workers also need to dress up warmly and wear extra padding, this leads to having less mobility which leads to accidents. You also need to watch out for the water and electricity and make sure they do not come in contact. Because the site can become a death trap if it is not managed properly.  

Thunderstorms –  

Thunderstorms and heavy rains cause a lot more damage to a build than expected. If there are high winds materials being used in the construction can be destroyed or damaged. And if it is hailing it can easily break glass and can dent sheet metal.  

Moisture –  

Moisture is very bad when it comes to construction it can lead to accumulating Mold in the environment. The metals used in the construction such as iron and steel will be accessible to rust. If you are working with wood, even when it is cured it is still open to moisture. Bricks are one of the first building materials that is immediately affected by moisture during construction.  this is because it traps the moisture in the tinner walls and it could be released at a later date. 

Extreme Cold –  

Materials contract in extreme cold, so applying paint and glue to surfaces on these days will lead to cracking and wrinkling. Concrete and cement will also form ice particles and this drastically reduces strength and stability.  

However, building in cold climates is not a new thing and cold counties have successfully overcome all issues. Because they use specially adapted materials, additives, and application processes. 

How Does Weather Affect Construction? |
Image: Abode By Patrick

Spring – Summer Construction  

You may think because the weather is getting warmer it is for the better, however, moisture is an even bigger issue in spring.  

Heat – 

The heat can be just as big of an issue as the rain. Heat changes the expansion dimensions of materials and this may lead to misaligned joins during the construction. The heat also causes workers to be less careful, wearing less protective clothing and causing drowsiness due to heat fatigue. 

It has shown that preparing concrete on hot days without adding in extra water requirements will lead to weaker applications. Bricks in the heat can also become brittle and, pain, when applied, might crack as well as discolour.   

Construction Workers
Image: Stock.adobe

Just like the colder season building in hotter seasons have its own issues and many countries manage to develop methods and tools that work for the climate. However, it is clear to see that it is better to start construction in the spring-summer months compared to the autumn-winter months.    

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Advice Center, Extensions

Plan, budget, and design for brand new kitchen extensions

8th December 20220

Do you want a large, open-plan kitchen, but do not want to move into a new house? Well, getting a kitchen extension is an excellent idea to solve your problem. Kitchen extensions can help you get the extra space you require and can also add value to your property. Any kind of house extension is a daunting job, but with proper planning, you can do this.

In this article, we will guide you on what steps you need to take for a kitchen extension.

Initial Plans

A kitchen has several things like plumbing and electricity plugs to power your fridge, toaster, and oven, etc. So, you need to start planning early on to decide the position for the electrical and plumbing services. Other important things to consider are the space and what type of extension
you need. Having natural light in the kitchen is crucial, so make sure you have an adequate supply. It is not possible to allow natural light through windows to a side extension. Thus, the good option is glass roofing. There is no point in adding dark and uninviting space to your home.

Kitchen Extensions Cost

In the initial planning process, it is vital to consider your budget. If you are looking for a single-storey extension, then it can cost you around £1200 per square meter. Keep in mind that this budget includes only the budget specification and fittings. If the structure is more complex, then
double the amount per square meter.

Selecting an Architectural Service Provider

After deciding which type of kitchen extensions, you require, it is time to find someone who can provide you with architectural design services. Because these are the professional people who are able to advise you on what’s possible in your case, furthermore, they can guide you on the planning process and budget.

You need to choose someone who has the experience and is able to show you their previous work. They will take a survey of your house and will provide you with plans for approval.

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

After the approval of the plan from you, here comes the crucial step to get them approved from the local council. The architectural services provider will ensure that the drawings fall under permitted development and will apply for permission. You can do it yourself, but we will advise you to let the professionals help you with the planning permission process. If you want to know more about planning permission, you can visit GOV.UK.

You need to obtain building regulations approval from BCO, known as a building inspector. These government officials will make sure that your designs are following the building regulations to ensure energy efficiency and safety. If your house is subject to restrictions, then the architectural service providers can submit plans for you. You need to wait for at least eight to ten weeks for the application process. It is easy to get an approval for a single-storey rear extension. We will recommend you not to use much space of your garden area as it can reduce the value of your property.

Builder

After getting approval, you need a builder to make the drawings a reality. You can ask for recommendations from your friends and family. Furthermore, architectural services provider can also help you in this regard. They have contacts of all kind of contractors. Hence they can
suggest a good builder.

Another thing to make sure is that the builder’s provided quotes are TrustMark approved. It is necessary as it indicates that their previous work was checked and it fulfils Government- approved standards. The cost of an extension can varies depending on the job. So, we will recommend you to get several quotes. Give some time to the contractors to prepare their quotes.

Kitchen Designer

You can look for a kitchen designer along with a builder. The architectural designs explain everything about the layout of your kitchen, but you need to take them to a kitchen company. They will study the drawings and will show you kitchen designs for your approval.

Get Started

After getting planning permission and party wall agreement, you can start the work. Furthermore, you need to set the positions for floors, ceilings, water and electric pipes at this stage. Allow enough time for the flooring to be ordered. You also need a contract that best suits your needs. If you do not know about it, then you can get help from your designers. In this way,
he or she will inspect the work and will tell you how much work is completed so that you can pay against completed work. After the completion of the building work, it is time to deal with any structural or finishing issues. Before making the last payment to the builder, make sure that you get a final certificate from the architectural service provider.

Advice Center

How Much Does It Cost to Build A House in the UK?

7th December 20220

As an architectural services provider, our clients often ask this question, “How much does it cost to build a house in the UK?”. After delivering more than 500 projects includes, including renovations, extension, conversions, and designing new houses and flats in the UK, we have concluded that the cost of a project depends on the drawings and quality of the materials. It is the only best way to estimate the cost of building a new house. There are various factors involved while calculating the cost.

Various industry standards can help in calculating the cost of building a house at the development stage. You can get a reasonable estimate, even if you do not have building regulations, drawings, and planning permission for your project.

The Cost of Building A House in London is the Second Highest
in the World

One of the factors that affect the cost is the location. The cost of building a house in one part may be highest to another. For example, the value of a property is the second-highest in central London.

However, there are various other factors too that influence the cost of building a house. The first factor is the location, and the others are competition for tenders, designs, and specifications. Another significant factor is the cost of labour which account for 40-45% of the total cost.

In this article, we are going to provide you with cost advice, which can help you determine the cost of your project. We are going to use industry standards in the UK. Furthermore, we will discuss three main factors that affect the cost and how you can prevent unforeseen expenses.

Design

Whenever someone decides to build a house, they have a budget. There is nothing more exciting than owning a new house. But you start building the home without proper planning, and then you realize that the cost of building increased. So, how you can cope with such unforeseen
consequences?

We know that it is a frustrating situation for anyone. It is also true that after such an incident, a person will want to band its head against a wall. Do not worry! We will give some advises that will help you prevent these mistakes from happening. The design of a house has a significant effect on the building cost. Hence, it is essential to work with some having a pleasant experience with designing projects similar to yours. The architectural services provider will help make your dream home a reality according to your requirements and taste.

Another important thing is to hire an experienced builder who understands the cost of a project. We have seen that many contractors under-quote a project, especially the design and build contracts. To avoid this, we will recommend you to hire an independent designer and make sure
that they are designing the project from the beginning. The architectural service providers must provide contractors with building regulations, tender drawings, and planning permission at the tender stage. This should be done before work starts to make sure that the builders can understand the design and estimate the cost. You should follow this process to make sure that the builder does not change the price during the construction.

Specifications

Whenever we start building our new home, there are lots of options in terms of specifications and designs. These choices have a significant effect on the overall building cost of a house. High-quality means, you are going to spend more money on the project. These choices are about finishes, specifications, and fixtures of your project. Keep in mind that these choices also affect the speed of construction.


It is the responsibility of the architectural service providers to make decisions about the materials of the project. They should understand the cost of specific materials and how they can put more financial burden on the project. You must be asking why the details of specifications are so
important. Well, they are essential to complete the job. Hence, you need to know about them and the materials for determining the actual cost of the project.


The tender documentation must be accurate because it is the only way to build a house within an acceptable range. If you are planning to make changes in the drawings, then it can increase the cost by a significant sum.

Project Manager

The method of managing the project can also affect the cost of building a house in the UK. If you think that you can handle this on your own then you can save some money. If you do not know about the building process, then we will recommend you to hire a project manager.

Advice Center

Learn about listed buildings and the consent needed.  

23rd November 20220

Categories of listed buildings –  

In England and Wales, there are 3 categories of listed buildings  

  • Grade 1 (2.5% of buildings)- Buildings of exceptional interest. For example, the Liverpool Anglican cathedral.  
  • Grade 2*(5.5% of buildings)- Buildings with particular importance. For example, Buckingham Palace.  
  • Grade 2 (92% of buildings)- Buildings of special architectural or historic interest. A grade 2 listed building is a UK building or structure that is of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it. 

How does a buildings become listed?  

The older the building is the more likely the building is listed. All buildings that were built before the 1700s which is still in its original condition will be listed.  

The newer the property the more remarkable it needs to be to become listed, for example a building with outstanding architecture. Buildings are not usually eligible for listing until it’s at least 30 years old. 

How to check if your building is listed?   

You are able to check if the property is listed by viewing the national heritage list for England.   

If you are planning to buy a listed building, a full building survey (RICS level 3) is recommended. And these surveys are tailored to each individual property and cover everything that is possible to access and assess.   

When building on a listed property you will firstly need to get both planning permission and consent. So, you will then need patience, stamina, and a good architect. This is because there’s a lot that goes into building on a listed property. 

You always need listed building consent   

You still need listed building consent to do urgent works to a listed building. Even if the works are needed because a dangerous structure or other legal notice has been served. Even if it’s not practical to get consent in advance, you must give written notice to the council as soon as possible.   

Listed building offenses –   

Offenses given by the planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.   

It is a criminal offense to carry out work without having listed building consent. Not all projects require consent, only the works that affect the character of the building.   

Carrying out building works to a listed building or changing it in any way without consent can result in court action and legal penalties. And it is also illegal to fail to comply with an enforcement notice.    

According to the planning act 1990 under section 9. Doing work without consent to the building can result in a person being charged. As well as, being fined up to £20,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.   

In addition, the maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine. In determining the fine a judge must have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to the wrongdoer so as to deny them any benefits.   

It is also an offense for anyone who would do damage to a listed building. Or to do anything which causes or is likely to result in damage to the building with the intention of causing damage. Damage to the building by an unauthorised person other than the owner or occupier would be criminal damage under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. 

Espresso Addict – Own work
Advice Center

Can you build in an area of outstanding natural beauty? 

17th November 20220

What is an area of outstanding natural beauty? 

An area of outstanding natural beauty is (ANOB) is an area of land which is protected by law to preserve and enhance its natural beauty.  

How are AONBs made? 

Natural England can make orders to designate areas of outstanding natural beauty or vary the boundaries of existing ones. Before natural England proposes an area to become an AONB, it must meet the natural beauty criterion. This could be multiple different factors, such as: 

  • Landscape quality. 
  • Scenic quality. 
  • Relative wildness, such as distance from housing or having few roads. 
  • Natural heritage features, such as distinct species and habitat. 
  • Relative tranquillity, where all you can hear is natural sounds. 
  • Cultural heritage. 

How many areas of outstanding natural beauty are there?  

There are 46 AONB in the throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Areas of natural beauty cover about 18% of the UK countryside. The types of natural beauty can range from woodlands, villages, moorlands, and meadows.  

No other country in the world has Areas of outstanding natural beauty.   

Can you get permission to build on an AONB? 

Overall, getting planning permission for a major development is very rare. If the development has a significant impact on the local environment, you should consult natural England about the planning proposal. If the developer can prove that there is a need and actual benefit of the proposed work, there are times where the permissions has been granted.  

Before developing your property, it is important for you to know what rights you have as a property owner in an AONB. Because of the area, your permitted development rights may be reduced, and planning permission grants may become more uncommon. 

Permitted development is a development that you can carry out without needing to apply for full planning permission. You may still need approval under other legislations. 

You might be able to extend a house in an AONB under permitted development if you follow the rules, are some examples: 

It must not go more than 4m beyond the rear wall of the property if it’s a detached house or 3m for any other dwelling. 

Must not be more than 4m high. 

Advice Center

Keep your neighbours happy and look into the party wall act 

14th November 20220

Firstly, what is the party wall act? 

The party wall act 1996 introduced a procedure for resolving disputes between owners of neighbouring properties. The Party Wall act prevents building work by one neighbour that can undermine the structural integrity of shared walls or neighbouring properties. 

What is a party wall? 

A party wall is a wall that stands on one owner’s land, but is used by two or more owners to separate their buildings.  

What is covered by the act?  

There are certain items of work that you can only be done after notifying the adjoining owners and either receiving written agreement of the neighbour. This includes:  

  • Demolishing and rebuilding a party wall 
  • Underpinning a party wall or part of a party wall 
  • Inserting a damp proof course, even if it’s on your side of the wall.  
  • Cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam 
  • Excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations  
  • Rasing a party wall and, if necessary, cutting off any objects preventing it from happening  
  • excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations 
  • excavating foundations within six metres of a neighbour’s structure and below a line drawn down at 45° from the bottom of its foundations. 

Reaching an agreement with your neighbours –  

Sending a notice to your neighbours is the first step of the process, without the issue of valid notices, no action can be taken.  

Written notices must be to the neighbours at least two months before starting any party wall works. Your notice must contain: 

  • The name and address of the building owner 
  • The nature and particulars of proposed work. Including plans, sections, and details of construction methods.   
  • The date on which the proposed work will begin 

Once you’ve given your notice your neighbour can: 

  • Give consent in writing  
  • Refuse consent, which will start the dispute resolution process.  
  • Serve a counter notice requesting additional works be done at the same time 

Finally, your neighbour must let you know in writing within 14 days if they consent to your notice.  

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Advice Center

Fire proofing your home: What you need to know 

7th November 20220

A house fire is one of the scariest things a person can experience. More than 37,000 house fires are reported each year in the UK. It is devastating how fast things can take a turn for the worst. Around 200 – 300 people a year lose their lives due to household fires. This is why fire proofing your home is so important. Read on to find the best ways to fire proof your home.  

What does fire proofing mean? 

It’s the process of making buildings resistant to fire damage by including fireproof materials. This doesn’t guarantee that it will never burn, but it can reduce the impact of the extreme heat.  

Is fire proofing necessary?  

Yes, it protects buildings from collapsing and enables time for a safe evacuation of residents in the buildings.  

Ways to fire proof your homes –  

Use fire resistant materials –  

The materials you use for your home can have a big impact on your safety, and not many people know that. When it comes to materials, concrete panels, stucco or brick for exterior walls, steel framing for windows and concrete or metal for roofing are all good choices. Fire retardant paint is also a good idea. For decking, concrete, tiles, stone or brick are better than wood. 

After the great fire of London in 1666, thatched roofs were banned in the city to avoid another rapid spread of fire. Although, statistically homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than those with conventional roofs. However, if they do the results are often rapid and spectacular. It seems worse, mainly because thatched fires in unprotected properties usually causes severe damage and therefore receives maximum publicity. 

Check and install smoke alarms –  

Smoke alarms are very important in homes, they provide early warnings of smoke and fire in your house. The best place to put a smoke detector is on the ceiling in the hallways and the landing. You shouldn’t put smoke alarms in the kitchen or bathrooms. You should check your smoke alarms at least once a month to see if they still work. And change the batteries every 6 months.  

Have a fire extinguisher on hand –  

Having an extinguisher handy can make all of the difference between a small incident in the kitchen and the entire house Burning down. A good place to keep one is in the kitchen, as that is where many fires start. Make sure it is handy and accessible to everyone in the house. 

Clear the gutters –  

Even if your roof if made from fire resistant materials, if you have leaves and debris up there it can cause a fire. Cleaning our cutters regularly is a good idea. Also, if you have a chimney, you should get that cleaned once a year to check for soot build up.  

(Image credit: Chris Snook )
Advice Center

Basements: why are they uncommon in the UK?

20th October 20220

Having a basement in your home may seem like a given if you are from most parts of the United States. However, if you are from England, you probably don’t know that much about having a basement. 

When were basements common?  

Although, you may have not seen many, basements/ cellars actually are pretty common in some places in the UK. The Victorians and Georgians loved them. So, any town with lots of Georgian and Victorian housing like Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh will have lots of basements. As for the places that don’t, you can break them down into a few reasons: 

Age of home. While the technology required to build underground spaces has existed for thousands of years. However, the requirement to do so has not. Before mass urbanisation began in the early 1800s, 60% of people lived in small, communities where land was pretty cheap. The cost of digging a basement for your house compared poorly to the cost of just buying a field out back and building a bigger house. 

Ground conditions. Unlike Scotland, Wales and the west of England, much of eastern and central England is quite low lying, and a lot of the east coast was reclaimed from salt marshes by the Georgians. This means that the ground was too wet and muddy to build a basement in, especially when it’s expensive and impractical to pump the water out every time it rains heavily and the water table rises. 

The weather. One of the main reasons that basements became very common in America is the weather. Both the intense cold in some parts and the risk of adverse weather in others. Foundations have to be built far below the ground to stop them being damaged by frost, so you might as well fill all that space with an extra room or two. Similarly, a basement doubles up as a tornado shelter in other places. The UK has little extreme weather, so basements weren’t as functional in the past as they are in North America. 

Why did the UK stop making basements? 

However, nowadays almost all new build homes have no cellar or basement. This is due to the extra cost of digging down further into the sub-soil and a requirement for much deeper foundations and waterproof tanking.  

How much would It cost to build a basement? 

If you are thinking of building an entirely new basement under your home, you should expect the starting costs to be around £2000 – £3,500 per square meter. On top of this you would need to pay for the contractors to complete the job. So, it’s not often a cheap project.  

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Advice Center, Architecture & Building

Stilt houses: reasons why you should raise your home 

18th October 20220

What is a stilt house?  

Stilt houses are houses built on elevated platforms. They can be built in a variety of locations. They are usually constructed over water, but they can also be built on dry land.  

Why are houses built on stilts?  

Many people have been building homes on stilts since the prehistoric times. Elevating homes can protect them against flooding and keep animals out. Which is why these types of homes are very popular in tropical and coastal regions.  

Are stilt houses safe?  

Even though they may seem unstable, houses built on stilts are normally secure. Builders traditionally use wood, bamboo, cane, or rattan for stilted houses. However, steel is now more commonly used as a construction material.  

Steel usually holds well in the ground and is less likely to break than other materials. Steel stilts will hold up adequately even if you want to build your house on an uneven surface. Although, like any house the structural integrity lies within the hands of the builders.  

Benefits of stilt houses –  

  • Maximise the view. By elevating your home your house will typically stand higher than other houses in the area. This will provide you with amazing views and far-reaching perspective of the surrounding environment.  
  • Extra space and ventilation beneath the house. With the house being raised you have a load of free space under the house, many people use this area as a car port. It also improves ventilation because the cool air can flow under the house. 
  • You can build on uneven ground. Because the house is off the ground you can build above uneven ground. This is good for the environment because the land is facing minimal damage. 
  • Can build over water. This not only makes for an unusual living space, but it also lessens the house’s mass and footprint on the fragile shore. 
Image: Shutterstock