Well Lane Refurbishment started on site

Green Design Architects (GDA) have been working alongside Derwent and Solway Housing Association to renovate one of their existing housing properties in Maryport.

Well Lane is a prominent building on the harbour side, which was built in the 1970s. Derwent and Solway Housing Association came to us with a desire to refurbish the building, improve the existing facilities and prolong the life of the building overall. In order to do this GDA created a number of options for the our clients, looking at the various elements of the building that could be improved and ensuring that we accommodated their company ethos and long term desires for the building.

Following confirmation of the design, which includes extensive refurbishment to existing services, upgrades to kitchens and bathrooms, a new zinc roof and enclosure of the a number of balconies, GDA carried out a number of public consultations and achieved statutory permissions for the works, which have now started on site.

Thomas Armstrong Construction commenced the works in November, 2011 and hope to have them completed by late 2012.

Green Design Architects as commissioned by the Lake District National Park to produce a feasibility scheme for the refurbishment of the Old School building in Wasdale Head Cumbria.

GDA is working with a community group, the Diocese, The National Trust and LDNP to produce a design to refurbish the existing building and replace the temporary toilets which have been installed on site.

The expansion of the 3 peaks challenge has had both good and bad affects in this beautiful valley over the past few years. The challenge is good for local businesses but has left the valley with refuse and other human waste products. The temporary toilets has improved the situation greatly but the toilets are unsightly and have a detrimental affect on the gateway to Wasdale that is provided by the Old School.

GDA has had a number of meetings with the groups and hopes to provide an agreed vision for the site in the new year- watch this space.

Continued Technical Skill & development

G. Wallace by virtue of previous qualifications as a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers has been elected an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

Geoff is currently working towards chartered membership of the above along with Stephen Woods, Peter Mitchell and Paul Kitchin.

This continued improvement of the technical skills and services and development of experience is encouraged throughout the Practice to ensure the highest standards of professional design and technical advice is available to our clients.

G. Wallace FCSD ACIAT

Cockermouth Post - June 2011

Don't Move Improve - Improve Efficiency and Reduce Your Energy Bills

Every month we contribute an article to the Cockermouth Post on various subjects related to architecture and the services we provide at Green Design Group. The articles are available online at http://www.thecockermouthpost.co.uk/. In this month’s June edition we concluded our series of articles under the heading of Don’t Move Improve. This month we described some of the ways that home improvements can reduce your energy bills. As promised, the links below will enable you to access more information on the UK governments incentive schemes for sustainable home improvements.

Feed In Tariffs

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy/Feed-in-Tariff-scheme

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/feedin_tariff/feedin_tariff.aspx

Renewable Heat Incentive

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy/Renewable-Heat-Incentive

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/Renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx

The Green Deal

In 2012, the government is set to introduce ‘The Green Deal’ a loan for energy efficient home improvements. The exact details of the scheme including interest levels are yet to be confirmed but the following link contains information about the general concept.

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/tackling/green_deal/green_deal.aspx

Contact Green Design Group now for more information or independent advice on projects of all sizes and typology – Our initial consultation is free!

COCKERMOUTH SCHOOL SCIENCE LABS AND PLANETARIUM GETS PLANNING

Green Design Group is pleased to announce that the project for Cockermouth School - The Science Skills Labs and Planetarium, has received planning permission from Cumbria County Council.

This has been a very successful application working with the school steering group, Cumbria County Council planners and all stakeholders to accomplish this approval.

Permitted Development Rights

The following information has been supplied from the Government Legislation website listed below. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2362/schedule/made

DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CURTILAGE OF A DWELLINGHOUSE

Class A

Permitted development

A. The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse.

Development not permitted

A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if—

(a)as a result of the works, the total area of ground covered by buildings within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse (other than the original dwellinghouse) would exceed 50% of the total area of the curtilage (excluding the ground area of the original dwellinghouse);

(b)the height of the part of the dwellinghouse enlarged, improved or altered would exceed the height of the highest part of the roof of the existing dwellinghouse;

(c)the height of the eaves of the part of the dwellinghouse enlarged, improved or altered would exceed the height of the eaves of the existing dwellinghouse;

(d)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would extend beyond a wall which—

(i)fronts a highway, and

(ii)forms either the principal elevation or a side elevation of the original dwellinghouse;

(e)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would have a single storey and—

(i)extend beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse by more than 4 metres in the case of a detached dwellinghouse, or 3 metres in the case of any other dwellinghouse, or

(ii)exceed 4 metres in height;

(f)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would have more than one storey and—

(i)extend beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse by more than 3 metres, or

(ii)be within 7 metres of any boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse opposite the rear wall of the dwellinghouse;

(g)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would be within 2 metres of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse, and the height of the eaves of the enlarged part would exceed 3 metres;

(h)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would extend beyond a wall forming a side elevation of the original dwellinghouse, and would—

(i)exceed 4 metres in height,

(ii)have more than one storey, or

(iii)have a width greater than half the width of the original dwellinghouse; or

(i)it would consist of or include—

(i)the construction or provision of a veranda, balcony or raised platform,

(ii)the installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna,

(iii)the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe, or

(iv)an alteration to any part of the roof of the dwellinghouse.

A.2 In the case of a dwellinghouse on article 1(5) land, development is not permitted by Class A if—

(a)it would consist of or include the cladding of any part of the exterior of the dwellinghouse with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles;

(b)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would extend beyond a wall forming a side elevation of the original dwellinghouse; or

(c)the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would have more than one storey and extend beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse.

Conditions

A.3 Development is permitted by Class A subject to the following conditions—

(a)the materials used in any exterior work (other than materials used in the construction of a conservatory) shall be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the existing dwellinghouse;

(b)any upper-floor window located in a wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse shall be—

(i)obscure-glazed, and

(ii)non-opening unless the parts of the window which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed; and

(c)where the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse has more than one storey, the roof pitch of the enlarged part shall, so far as practicable, be the same as the roof pitch of the original dwellinghouse.

Class B

Permitted development

B. The enlargement of a dwellinghouse consisting of an addition or alteration to its roof.

Development not permitted

B.1 Development is not permitted by Class B if—

(a)any part of the dwellinghouse would, as a result of the works, exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof;

(b)any part of the dwellinghouse would, as a result of the works, extend beyond the plane of any existing roof slope which forms the principal elevation of the dwellinghouse and fronts a highway;

(c)the cubic content of the resulting roof space would exceed the cubic content of the original roof space by more than—

(i)40 cubic metres in the case of a terrace house, or

(ii)50 cubic metres in any other case;

(d)it would consist of or include—

(i)the construction or provision of a veranda, balcony or raised platform, or

(ii)the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe; or

(e)the dwellinghouse is on article 1(5) land.

Conditions

B.2 Development is permitted by Class B subject to the following conditions—

(a)the materials used in any exterior work shall be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the existing dwellinghouse;

(b)other than in the case of a hip-to-gable enlargement, the edge of the enlargement closest to the eaves of the original roof shall, so far as practicable, be not less than 20 centimetres from the eaves of the original roof; and

(c)any window inserted on a wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse shall be—

(i)obscure-glazed, and

(ii)non-opening unless the parts of the window which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed.

Interpretation of Class B

B.3 For the purposes of Class B “resulting roof space” means the roof space as enlarged, taking into account any enlargement to the original roof space, whether permitted by this Class or not.

Class C

Permitted development

C. Any other alteration to the roof of a dwellinghouse.

Development not permitted

C.1 Development is not permitted by Class C if—

(a)the alteration would protrude more than 150 millimetres beyond the plane of the slope of the original roof when measured from the perpendicular with the external surface of the original roof;

(b)it would result in the highest part of the alteration being higher than the highest part of the original roof; or

(c)it would consist of or include—

(i)the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe, or

(ii)the installation, alteration or replacement of solar photovoltaics or solar thermal equipment.

Conditions

C.2 Development is permitted by Class C subject to the condition that any window located on a roof slope forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse shall be—

(a)obscure-glazed; and

(b)non-opening unless the parts of the window which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed.

Class D

Permitted development

D. The erection or construction of a porch outside any external door of a dwellinghouse.

Development not permitted

D.1 Development is not permitted by Class D if—

(a)the ground area (measured externally) of the structure would exceed 3 square metres;

(b)any part of the structure would be more than 3 metres above ground level; or

(c)any part of the structure would be within 2 metres of any boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse with a highway.

Class E

Permitted development

E. The provision within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse of—

(a)any building or enclosure, swimming or other pool required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse as such, or the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of such a building or enclosure; or

(b)a container used for domestic heating purposes for the storage of oil or liquid petroleum gas.

Development not permitted

E.1 Development is not permitted by Class E if—

(a)the total area of ground covered by buildings, enclosures and containers within the curtilage (other than the original dwellinghouse) would exceed 50% of the total area of the curtilage (excluding the ground area of the original dwellinghouse);

(b)any part of the building, enclosure, pool or container would be situated on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original dwellinghouse;

(c)the building would have more than one storey;

(d)the height of the building, enclosure or container would exceed—

(i)4 metres in the case of a building with a dual-pitched roof,

(ii)2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within 2 metres of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse, or

(iii)3 metres in any other case;

(e)the height of the eaves of the building would exceed 2.5 metres;

(f)the building, enclosure, pool or container would be situated within the curtilage of a listed building;

(g)it would include the construction or provision of a veranda, balcony or raised platform;

(h)it relates to a dwelling or a microwave antenna; or

(i)the capacity of the container would exceed 3,500 litres.

E.2 In the case of any land within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse which is within—

(a)a World Heritage Site,

(b)a National Park,

(c)an area of outstanding natural beauty, or

(d)the Broads,

development is not permitted by Class E if the total area of ground covered by buildings, enclosures, pools and containers situated more than 20 metres from any wall of the dwellinghouse would exceed 10 square metres.

E.3 In the case of any land within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse which is article 1(5) land, development is not permitted by Class E if any part of the building, enclosure, pool or container would be situated on land between a wall forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse and the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.

Interpretation of Class E

E.4 For the purposes of Class E, “purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse as such” includes the keeping of poultry, bees, pet animals, birds or other livestock for the domestic needs or personal enjoyment of the occupants of the dwellinghouse.

Class F

Permitted development

F. Development consisting of—

(a)the provision within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse of a hard surface for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse as such; or

(b)the replacement in whole or in part of such a surface.

Conditions

F.1 Development is permitted by Class F subject to the condition that where—

(a)the hard surface would be situated on land between a wall forming the principal elevation of the dwellinghouse and a highway, and

(b)the area of ground covered by the hard surface, or the area of hard surface replaced, would exceed 5 square metres,

either the hard surface shall be made of porous materials, or provision shall be made to direct run-off water from the hard surface to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.

Class G

Permitted development

G. The installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe on a dwellinghouse.

Development not permitted

G.1 Development is not permitted by Class G if—

(a)the height of the chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe would exceed the highest part of the roof by 1 metre or more; or

(b)in the case of a dwellinghouse on article 1(5) land, the chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe would be installed on a wall or roof slope which—

(i)fronts a highway, and

(ii)forms either the principal elevation or a side elevation of the dwellinghouse.

Class H

Permitted development

H. The installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna on a dwellinghouse or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.

Development not permitted

H.1 Development is not permitted by Class H if—

(a)it would result in the presence on the dwellinghouse or within its curtilage of—

(i)more than two antennas;

(ii)a single antenna exceeding 100 centimetres in length;

(iii)two antennas which do not meet the relevant size criteria;

(iv)an antenna installed on a chimney, where the length of the antenna would exceed 60 centimetres;

(v)an antenna installed on a chimney, where the antenna would protrude above the chimney; or

(vi)an antenna with a cubic capacity in excess of 35 litres;

(b)in the case of an antenna to be installed on a roof without a chimney, the highest part of the antenna would be higher than the highest part of the roof;

(c)in the case of an antenna to be installed on a roof with a chimney, the highest part of the antenna would be higher than the highest part of the chimney, or 60 centimetres measured from the highest part of the ridge tiles of the roof, whichever is the lower; or

(d)in the case of article 1(5) land, it would consist of the installation of an antenna—

(i)on a chimney, wall or roof slope which faces onto, and is visible from, a highway;

(ii)in the Broads, on a chimney, wall or roof slope which faces onto, and is visible from, a waterway; or

(iii)on a building which exceeds 15 metres in height.

Conditions

H.2 Development is permitted by Class H subject to the following conditions—

(a)an antenna installed on a building shall, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building; and

(b)an antenna no longer needed for reception or transmission purposes shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

Interpretation of Class H

H.3 The relevant size criteria for the purposes of paragraph H.1(a)(iii) are that:

(a)only one of the antennas may exceed 60 centimetres in length; and

(b)any antenna which exceeds 60 centimetres in length must not exceed 100 centimetres in length.

H.4 The length of the antenna is to be measured in any linear direction, and shall exclude any projecting feed element, reinforcing rim, mounting or brackets.

Interpretation of Part 1

I. For the purposes of Part 1—

“raised” in relation to a platform means a platform with a height greater than 300 millimetres; and

“terrace house” means a dwellinghouse situated in a row of three or more dwellinghouses used or designed for use as single dwellings, where—

(a)

it shares a party wall with, or has a main wall adjoining the main wall of, the dwellinghouse on either side; or

(b)

if it is at the end of a row, it shares a party wall with or has a main wall adjoining the main wall of a dwellinghouse which fulfils the requirements of sub-paragraph (a).”