Tutorial 9 - How Planning and Building Regulations Affect your Design .

9.1 Working as a team

9.2 Beware the Regulations

In making a planning application the design of your new home should be conveyed with good presentation. I have listed below some tips:

• Use of the careful application of colour.
• Use of simple 3 dimensional models.
• Use of simple perspectives. A good colour perspective will help �sell' a proposal.
• There are a number of specialists that can come in and help with a particular aspect of an application in respect of a home.
  • If there is a strong garden design element then a landscape architect / garden designer should submit his scheme as part of the application.
  • If there is an access issue there should be a report and diagram from a qualified Highway Engineer.
  • If there are important planning issues then a Planning Consultant (see previous Chapter) should be involved in making a Statement about the planning issues and the proposals.
  • If the building is of historic interest, i.e. old and in an important location, listed etc. then there are often special local historical groups who should ideally support the proposals. In the case of a listed building it is often a requirement that there is an archaeological survey carried out to check the important historical aspects of the building are not being adversely affected.

Here is a step-by-step guide to follow with a planning application for a new home, extension or alteration.

1. Step One . The pre-planning enquiry. Talk to the Planning Officer before an application goes in.
2. Step Two . Review the proposed application content. Consider how to best present the design.
3. Step Three . Submission of application and monitoring.
4. Step Four . Consider �withdrawal' if an application is going to be refused. (It is better to avoid getting a refusal).
5. Step Five . The planning meeting. You, or your professional, can often speak at the meeting.

The building regulations . So how will your home design be affected by the regulations?

1. The regulations will control window and door openings (now also replacement glazing).
2. Floor constructions are controlled in terms of resisting moisture and insulation against heat loss and intermediate floors: sound resistance.
3. Drainage. Regulations cover both foul and surface water drains.
4. Heating systems. Recent regulations control boiler type and efficiency. The onus is put on you the homeowner to make sure you involve suitably qualified tradesmen.
5. Fire Means of Escape. These regulations can affect internal layout, window size and staircases. Can a fire engine get access to your new home? Check it out!
6. Access. The regulations have changed to try and make life easier for the disabled and the partially disabled. For example, there must now be a WC which can be accessed by someone in a wheelchair and an entry door with low thresholds. Power points and switches are also controlled in terms of their location.
7. Loft Conversions. Building regulations apply to loft conversions. The main issues are:
   • Means of escape in case of fire
   • Improving fire resistance of existing floors
   • The strength of floors
   • Access to loft rooms
   • Roof insulation and ventilation (where appropriate)

Time and space does not permit this subject to be fully covered and I can only suggest that you purchase a copy of my book How to Design Your New Home, Extension or Alteration . As a home owner getting involved with the home design process I can only suggest that once you are considering the building regulation issues it pays to work with a professional who could be a Building Surveyor, a Structural Engineer, a Chartered Architect or an appropriately qualified building designer.

Suggested Reader Tasks :

1. Your home design (new home or extension) is at a pre-planning application stage: arrange a meeting with your local Authority Planning Officer to discuss the general principles, make notes after your meeting and then write confirming the discussion.
2. Contact the Building Control Officer (also at the Local Authority) dealing with your area and ask his advice in respect of local ground conditions and builders he might recommend.

Contacts and References :

Go to www.homedesign-online.co.uk and www.homebuilding.co.uk .