What are Goodchild Design Partnership offering?

Feasibility Studies

These usually begin as a site capacity study, which can be developed into a full project examination and report, outlining the potential development opportunities of a particular site while identifying any inherent risks.

Architecture and Design

Each project is different, and therefore we will approach your project as unique and individual. We will listen carefully to who you are and what you require, offering our expert opinion and advice at all times. It is important to us that sustainable design strategies are demonstrated as early as possible within the design process, we want to ensure that good stewardship is shown of both your resources and to the natural environment. We are aware of the high performance materials and systems available in today’s construction market, and therefore do our best to incorporate sustainable design and construction methods within every project ensuring a high performance building that will ensure long-term benefits from in both a financial and economic view.

Advice and Survey

We will be happy to give you a free initial consultation at your property where we can advise you on potential design proposals, expert building advice and assist with any questions or queries you may have regarding your project. We can offer guidance on what the authorities require with certain projects and inform you of current planning laws and building regulation legislation. If the Party Wall Act permission needs to be obtained we can offer guidance as to how to get it. Once you are positive that you wish to go ahead with your project we would then undertake a measured survey in order for us to produce some architectural drawings that we can present to the authorities on your behalf.

Drawings

Once the drawings are complete, we will then send you a copy and ask for you check over them that you are satisfied with the design proposal. If you have any questions or changes that you wish to make before we submit them to the council, we are here to offer our expertise.

Depending on your project, the plans that you will receive will be 2-dimensional drawings of the existing and proposed buildings. Relevant details will be added depending on the project and approvals that you require from the local authority to carry out the building work. We are able to produce 3-dimension models of the project if you wish, in order for you to fully visualise the design proposals and demonstrate how the designs will affect and existing properties and the built environment.

Planning

Most new buildings or major changes to existing buildings or to the local environment need consent - known as planning permission. Planning control is the process of managing the development of land and buildings. The purposes of this process are to save what is best of our heritage and improve the infrastructure upon which we depend for a civilised existence.

The planning process takes approx. 6-8 weeks once the application has been submitted. However, depending on the size of development, this could take longer. The planning system is predominantly concerned with the external appearance of a development or change to a building. They concentrate on the visual and environmental impact to the area and surroundings. We will work in line with both current planning laws and your design requirements to produce an acceptable proposal.

Building Regulations

We can advise if you need Building Regulations approval and you must make a Building Regulations Application before you start any regulated work.

You usually need building regulations approval if you:

• put up a new building
• extend or alter an existing building
• install services or fittings in a building, eg washing and sanitary facilities, hot water cylinders, foul water and rainwater drainage, replacement windows and any fuel burning appliances

Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission - you may need to get both.

Before you start construction we advise all our clients to obtain Building Regulations Approval. Building Control is the authority that ensures that your proposals are built according to approved technical standards. 

We can prepare an application for you that will consist of detailed technical plans and sections, construction details, and specifications. If a structural engineer is required for more complex designs then we can engage one on your behalf. On larger schemes we can arrange for a bill of quantities, inspections and the issuing of completion certificates.