Where should you start?
Do you need planning permission for your building or renovation project?
Planning
Some home improvements may be completed under permitted development rights, subject to specific limitations and conditions. Properties in conservation areas, listed buildings, flats and homes affected by an Article 4 direction may be subject to additional restrictions. We recommend confirming the position with your architect or local planning authority before work begins.
To discover how national and local planning rules apply to your project, we recommend starting here for guidance direct from Canterbury City Council.
Who will create the drawings that communicate your vision to builders and planners?
Technical Drawings
If your project requires planning permission or structural changes, you will need to have drawings created to reflect your vision in structural and design terms.
We have worked with many local architects and structural engineers and are happy to recommend a number of local professionals:
Architects
Ian Barber & Associates Ltd, 01227 770511
BlackRock Architecture Ltd 01227 281743
SEAS (South East Architectural Services Ltd 012287 283100
Structural Engineers
Thomason PJ & Associates, 01227 281882
TKelsham Ltd, 01227 276503
Work with Building Control to stay safe and avoid the need for indemnity policies when the time comes to sell.
Photo: Our projects are always undertaken in compliance with Building Regulations.
Building Control
Building Regulations set the standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people in or about those buildings.
The Local Authority Building Control is operated by the South Thames Gateway Building Control, a partnership that delivers Local Authority Building Control throughout Kent for Canterbury City Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Medway Council and Swale Borough Council.
You can also instruct a a private Registered Building Control Approver registered with the Building Safety Regulator.
We always offer to project manage Building Control inspections on behalf of our clients so that we can best co-ordinate site visits and maintain an effective workflow on your project.
Prepare for Party Wall Agreements and keep your project running to schedule.
Photo: Loft extensions that adjoin other properties will require Party Wall Agreements to ensure works can be undertaken on shared walls.
Party Wall Agreements
Before work begins, you must tell your neighbours if you want to carry out any building work near or on your shared property boundary, or 'party wall', in England and Wales.
In a town of terraced homes, many of our projects require Party Wall Agreements. At Browne & Sons, we have an experienced Party Wall Surveyor on our team who will be able to handle all aspects of the Party Wall Survey and Agreement.
We recommend J Browne Surveys for Party Wall Survey services.