Planning Applications
At Beacon Sustainable, we specialise in getting Planning Permission for our Clients.
Sustainability is as big a priority for the UK Government as having adequate housing supply is. So much so that the first section after the Introduction in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that informs all Local Plans for all Councils across England states:
"So that sustainable development is pursued in a positive way, at the heart of the Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development".
Even in the text in the NPPF those 6 words are in bold. The Government wants you to build your home.
The Government wants and needs houses to be built and not just bulk commercial developers delivering hundreds of 'units' a year - they want great quality, sustainable development even at the individual self-build level across the country. As long as it is sustainable. Housebuilding helps socially, there is a historic backlog of housebuilding in the UK and the process of construction a
Some try to add sustainability onto a design once the design is complete or near complete, but this rarely works well in practice.
From an architectural design perspective, sustainability starts with a landscape assessment. Landscape and location are the first vital elements in sustainable design as it is the landscape environment we have to work with. Size, impact, elevation, contour and culture through to whether it faces north or south materially affects the character of the proposal and the needs for sustainability are vital to assess what nature of development the site will accept without compromise.
Before any architect gets to work on realising your dreams, through putting sustainability first you:
1) Already know that the presumption in favour of sustainable development gives you a much better chance of success, and
2) Already know what opportunities there are for living better, for lower cost, with less impact
Does this constrain your dreams of your home?
Not at all. We know that we can incorporate full sustainability in detail into every style and size of home, from 1,600 sqm mansions through to more realistic family homes.
Whatever the style or character of your preference - we can do that. Traditional, contemporary, timeless - it makes no difference.
How do we work?
Our core capability is in getting planning through, and to do this we pull together a number of different disciplines.
As Sustainability designers, our focus is creating the meaningful design brief to satisfy our 24 point matrix and then using that to incorporate into the initial.
We do work broadly to the RIBA Standard Plan of Work, however we have adapted it to provide our Sustainability First methodology. For example, the spatial use, technical design and construction method are determined for their ability to meet the Sustainability requirements before any concept design occurs.
- 0 – Strategic Definition.
- 1 – Preparation and Briefing.
- 2 – Concept Design.
- 3 – Spatial Coordination.
- 4 – Technical Design.
- 5 – Manufacturing and Construction.
- 6 – Handover.
- 7 – Use.
We work with other professionals as required in order to get the right result. For example we co-ordinate with Planning Consultants to determine the art of the possible before the concept is documented.
We work with landscape architects to evaluate landscape and visual impacts in advance of concept.
We co-ordinate with structural engineers to confirm optimum construction method with the biggest sustainability benefits and use this to head off concept problems before they arise.
We work with specialist architects to draw out key features and design cues respecting the local vernacular and culture of the location.
Our role is to respect your desire for your dream home, and work with you in the most effective and efficient way possible, and we draw in the subject matter experts and key skills to make it a reality.