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Five new houses in the countryside

We inherited this project after an Outline Consent had been granted for five houses that were all similar in size and projected appearance.

Our brief was to create a mix of individual, family homes that would fit with the local & historic vernacular of Helions Bumpstead and appeal to purchasers wanting an authentically detailed, traditional-style family home (but with layouts that suit modern living and without the drafts and uninsulated walls of something old).

We convinced officers to expand the scope of development that had been approved at Outline Planning stage, proposing slightly larger houses and a different visual theme. Two were purchased ‘off-plan’ and before construction started, allowing the purchasers to further individualise the materials and interiors.
The contract manager was highly professional and, through numerous meetings with our technical team, made sure that costs were carefully monitored, but that the design and detailing were not compromised. Each house was built to an exceptionally high build-quality and every detail proposed at the planning stage was retained.
Despite all the pressures of modern building legislation and ever-rising build costs nationally, this development shows what can be achieved with a tight design & contractor team.

A recent development project for us was 5 new build houses in Helions Bumpstead, all with their own detailed style and blending seamlessly alongside each other. A great advantage with JAP architects is their attention to detail, post planning. To have construction drawings where you can source block & beam floors, floor joists, roof structure, windows, doors etc before you dig the foundations, is game changing in running an efficient & cost-effective build. The days of Yes/No planning decisions are well in the past, with endless conditions to comply with once a permission is secured. These conditions all need detailed consideration and signing off with councils. Overlooking just one, and the buyer's solicitor could scupper the sale. That's not including heat loss designs, structural elements, discharge permits etc etc. We have engaged other architectural practices offering planning services, but have found no others who offer the whole package to deliver a complete and cost-effective project. Quality & economics grows from the bottom up, through attention to the detail.

Glenn Scotton, Director GCS Trading Ltd Steeple Bumpstead, Essex