Shorplans Developments

Your house needs to suit your lifestyle, which can often change, whether it is an addition to the family requiring an additional bedroom, or maybe one of you now works from home and is in need of a study, or transforming the small kitchen to create the social kitchen/dining room that you see in all the magazines today. There are countless reasons to make change your house and we can help guide you through the process, being a constant support from start to finish.

Most house extensions, though not all involve getting Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval from your local council. We shall discuss this with you and make the necessary enquiries before providing you with a quotation. It is worth noting though that councils may have different views on planning applications depending on where you live. We deal with Local Planning Authorities in London on a day to day basis and maintain a good working relationship, understanding the planning policies that your project plans, when submitted, will be judged against.
Building Regulations approval is required for most extensions. Building Regulations in the UK are a set of minimum requirements designed to secure the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings and to conserve fuel and energy. We will submit the necessary detailed plans and sufficient specification to achieve Building Regulations approval. We may also need to liaise with a Structural Engineer and/or Heat Loss Assessor but this will depend on the extent of the proposals. Once this phase is complete, builders should be able to give you quotations for the proposed building work.

When extending our homes, most of us would think of building outwards or into the loft, without giving a second thought to what lies beneath our feet.
However, by digging down into the cellar or basement, you can create an additional floor running the entire length of your house, and that opens up a wealth of opportunities for a bigger and better home. Here’s how to go about it.

Once instructed we carry out a full measured survey of the client’s home producing architectural plans and elevations of the original property.
Following client approval of the conceptual design layouts, detailed architectural plans and elevations will be produced for final approval by the client prior to submission to the Local Authority for grant of Planning Consent.

Your basement will be designed by a fully qualified Chartered Structural Engineers to a safety standard that exceeds current Building Design Code.
A detailed structural survey of your home will be carried out by a Chartered Structural Engineer following which, the technical design for the works will be finalised.
Complex structural calculations for the proposed design will be carried out resulting in details of reinforcement, concrete and structural steelwork being finalised.
When determining the final structural engineering design solution, full consideration is given to the proximity of adjoining buildings and the need to avoid any type of structural damage to your home and the homes of your neighbours.

Structural engineering calculations are an essential service offered by Shorplans Developments. This service involves the use of mathematical principles and engineering expertise to design and analyze structures, ensuring that they are safe, durable, and capable of withstanding expected loads and forces.
Shorplans Developments Ltd employs qualified and experienced structural engineers who are proficient in the use of industry-standard software and techniques to perform complex structural analyses. These calculations take into account various factors such as building codes, safety regulations, environmental conditions, and materials used.
The structural engineers at Shorplans Developments work closely with our in-house architects, contractors, and clients to develop designs that are functional, cost-effective, and meet all necessary requirements. They may also provide recommendations for modifications or improvements to existing structures to enhance their safety and performance.
In summary, the structural engineering calculations service provided by Shorplans Developments helps to ensure that structures are safe, stable, and durable, providing peace of mind for clients and ensuring that buildings are constructed to the highest standards.

The Party Wall Act covers three distinct types of work, alterations to a shared (party) wall, the construction of new walls on the boundary and excavation work close to neighbouring properties. The third category is often overlooked by owners planning to extend their property.
Where work falls within the scope of the Act it is necessary for a Building Owner to serve notice and obtain the affected Adjoining Owner’s consent; if that consent is not forthcoming the parties are deemed to be ‘in dispute’ under the Act and surveyors must be appointed so that the dispute can be resolved by way of a Party Wall Agreement (technically called an ‘Award’).


Often an Adjoining Owner only becomes aware of their neighbour’s plans to extend when a Party Wall Notice lands on their door mat.
An Adjoining Owner has the option to either consent or dissent to a notice – if no response is made within 14 days the parties are deemed to be in dispute under the act. Where a dispute arises each Owner must appoint a surveyor so that a Party Wall Award can be agreed.
Although not stated in the Act the surveyors will Award that their reasonable fees must be paid by the Owner undertaking the works.