As with most plots in Conservation Areas, Councils discourage Outline Planning applications and therefore our clients bought this site with full permission. However the approved design did not match their pattern of living and so our Company Architect, Tom Somerville took a new brief and we set about preparing a design that reflected the way the clients wanted to live.

Tom says, "In Conservation Areas the planners are usually keen on new buildings harmonising with existing architecture (although in certain circumstances modern/contemporary designs are acceptable). The brief for the internal layout was large well-proportioned rooms, plenty of storage and wardrobe space, four big bedrooms, guest suite over the garage, a sunroom and attic rooms. Because the design was so traditional we knew it would blend seamlessly with the other houses in the village and although the planning process in Conservation Areas is often difficult and protracted our persistence eventually paid off".

Many of our clients are busy business people who simply do not have the time to 'self-build' in its purest form. However a good proportion are happy to manage the internal trades, not so much for the cost saving (which is not as much as you may imagine) but more for the direct involvement with the finishing trades. Often clients say that the experience is more fulfilling and satisfying using this build route.

"Most of you will have at some time had an extension built, a new heating/plumbing system or kitchen or bathroom installed, had the garden re-landscaped or simply had your home redecorated. Once the structural shell is built and the drains are connected, finishing the house off using our service is a relatively straightforward process providing you are well organised, have some spare time and take care to recruit the right trades people".

No great story here with the build itself. Tom obtained a selection of builders' tenders for the structural shell and following interviews and references the clients made their final choice. Aside from the odd hiccup the shell was completed in good time and the clients proved themselves to be very capable when it came to finishing the house off.

Programmes like Grand Designs would not be remotely interested in this story because sadly it wouldn't make for 'good' television. There were no dramas, disasters or crises, the clients didn't run over budget, there were no significant delays and they still had their full sanity at the end of the process. A routine, some might say boring self-build story, but the plans and photograph speak for themselves - most importantly though our clients are thrilled with their new home.

We pride ourselves on bespoke considerate design, quality materials, value, choice and a high level of customer service built up over four decades in the business. If you are thinking of building a new home, talk to us.