PUUC Architecture

Sometimes a project will not require planning permission, meaning a reduction in the overall project cost and timescales. A permitted development means a client can make certain minor changes to a property without planning permission. We can provide the necessary planned drawings, visuals and detailed information required to create a full permitted development package. With this, a contractor may be chosen, or we can tender the client’s proposal to several contractors to gain the best quote. The detailed information will be sufficient for a contractor to complete to permitted development and will more than likely be concluded under a “Building Notice” requiring no additional building regulations approval.

For concept designs we will engage with the client fully and take on board their plans for their project. We will then use our expertise to create sketches, visuals and concept plans as closely in line with the client’s vision as we can, offering solutions to problems and tailoring our work to comply with the relevant local authority’s guidance to ensure the deliverance of a comprehensive and achievable project.

Following the completion of the feasibility study, the next step of any project is to gain approval for the development via a formalised proposal to the local authority. No matter what the project may be, almost all proposals will require planning permission (except for permitted developments). We will develop all the necessary requirements for a planning proposal tailored to the client’s brief. This includes all existing plans and elevations, site plans, proposed floor plans and elevations and more. We will provide our expertise and input to create the best chance of the proposal getting approved.

We create all our CGIs and animations in house to guarantee that no aspect of the projects vision is lost. The visuals we create at PUUC offer a more comprehensive look at a project as opposed to 2D drawings and static 3D models.

This stage requires the consultation and coordination with several other professionals including a structural engineer. Once all the relevant information has been gathered and coordinated into a complete drawing package, this can be used to obtain several quotes. This information consists of technical, detailed design drawings, written documents, application forms, calculations, and other written documents. Work cannot begin on site until the approval has been gained, this process can take up to 8 weeks.

A Contract Administrator is a key figure responsible for managing the building contract between the client and contractor, typically under the JCT suite or RIBA contracts. Acting as an impartial party, the Contract Administrator oversees the contract’s execution, ensuring that works are delivered in accordance with the agreed terms, specifications, and timelines. Their duties include issuing instructions, certifying payments, assessing variations, and facilitating communication among all parties to ensure a fair and efficient delivery of the project.

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), the Principal Designer is appointed by the client to plan, manage, and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase of a project. This role is essential in identifying and mitigating risks early in the design process. The Principal Designer collaborates with the design team and other duty holders to ensure that health and safety considerations are fully embedded into the planning and design stages of a project.

A Principal Designer must be appointed on any project involving more than one contractor (including subcontractors), which applies to the majority of construction projects, both domestic and commercial. The appointment must be made as soon as possible during the design process to allow for effective planning and coordination of health and safety risks.

We provide both As Built and Record Drawings as part of our architectural services. These drawings accurately reflect the final constructed state of a building or project, incorporating all changes made during the construction phase that may differ from the original design.

As Built Drawings are typically prepared by the contractor or design team during construction and document the project as it was actually constructed, including modifications or deviations from the original plans.

Record Drawings are a compiled and finalised set of these changes, often issued at project completion, and serve as a vital reference for future maintenance, alterations, or compliance. They are essential for building owners, facilities managers, and contractors, ensuring accurate information is available throughout the building’s life cycle.

We provide detailed Measured Surveys and produce accurate Existing Plans as part of our architectural services. A Measured Survey involves a comprehensive on-site assessment of a building or site, capturing precise dimensions and spatial data. This information is then used to create scaled drawings of the existing condition of the property, including floor plans, elevations, and sections where required.
These Existing Plans form the essential foundation for any design, planning, or construction project, ensuring all subsequent work is based on reliable and accurate information. Whether for refurbishment, extension, planning applications, or legal purposes, our measured surveys are carried out using professional equipment and methodologies to meet the highest industry standards.

We offer professionally prepared Title Split Drawings suitable for submission by solicitors as part of the legal process for land or property subdivision. These drawings are produced in accordance with Land Registry requirements and clearly define individual plots, boundaries, access routes, and shared areas where applicable.

Title Split Drawings are typically required when dividing a single property into multiple legal titles—for example, when converting a building into separate flats or selling off parts of a site. Our drawings provide the necessary clarity and accuracy to support a smooth legal transfer, ensuring they meet the standards expected by conveyancing solicitors and the Land Registry.