The success of your project will not only depend on your choice of architect and builder, but will also depend on the supporting ‘team’ of consultants that may be needed to advise on very specialist issues during the permissions and technical design phases. Without the right support from the right people your project could experience delays, cost over-runs, compromises and sometimes a refusal to grant planning permission altogether. If your plot sits within a conservation area, a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty we often recommend that a planning consultant may be of benefit to advise and assist with your planning application. Planning consultants are trained to understand legal matters involving land use and have an in-depth knowledge of both national and local planning policies. Often they have experience working in Local Authority and understand the mindset of those deciding on applications - this can be a great advantage with challenging applications.
If the plot includes protected trees or wildlife habitats, an arboriculturalist and/or an ecologist would be an essential part of the team. Their specialism is either trees or endangered species and they have the skills to carry out surveys, compile reports and can combat objections from Council tree officers or ecologists. If there are problems accessing the plot from the nearest road, a highways consultant would be able to advise and assist. They will check access for construction or fire service vehicles, analyse road speeds and advise on swept curves and lines of sight. Having the right specialists on board will significantly improve the chances of a successful planning application and we can recommend consultants who we have worked with before and who have a proven track record of success. To assist with the technical design your team will need to include a structural engineer to design the building’s foundations and superstructure and a services engineer to design the home’s heating and hot water systems and the electrical requirements. You may also want to include a lighting designer and a control systems specialist if you have a high specification budget in mind. Finally, no team would be complete without a landscape designer to help tie your home to the garden and landscape beyond.
Having the right team in place will promote a smooth-running project and will ensure that the outcome matches your expectations. The right team will help you gain planning permission and will also ensure your dream home performs well and provides a comfortable and healthy environment for you and your family. At Koru we have long established relationships with a variety of specialists and can assist you in putting the ideal team together for your project.
If your project is ready to go and you’d like to discuss what specialists you might need, we’ll be happy to assist and discuss your project with you. Please contact us at: info@koruarchitects.co.uk or call us on: 01273 204065
You can find the seventh chapter of our guide here: 'High Performance Homes'
