Architecture Feasibility Study

Flood zone https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/ – Building in a flood zone can still be allowed, however, further research and a flood risk assessment may need to be completed. This will advise you on how high above the risk zone you can go will need to construct the ground floor and what type of accommodation is allowed on the ground floor.

Area designated for increased development – These sites will usually form part of a wider masterplan by the local authority, allowing for the densification of a site.

Brownfield site / Industrial site – This could mean possible contamination on site or that further research and soil investigations may need to be undertaken.

Listed buildings / Locally listed buildings / scheduled monuments on or near the site https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/map-search

Protected views  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_view

Article 2(3) land – areas such as a Conservation area, area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), an area specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 41(3) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (enhancement and protection of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside), the Broads, a National Park and World Heritage Sites.

Article 4 Directions – These are specific restrictions on areas designated by the local authority that may restrict permitted development rights, requiring planning permission instead.

Green Belt land – These areas can also be protected under Article 4 Directions or other local policy.

Other area designations – Areas in or near open green areas such as parks, green belt, areas of outstanding natural beauty or agricultural and rural land may have development restrictions as well as industrial and commercial areas that may restrict the conversion to residential or other uses.

Noise map – It can sometimes be useful to look at any neighbouring sound which may restrict the design. Extrium [http://www.extrium.co.uk/noiseviewer.html] provide a map of England showing nuisance sound from roads and rail. For airplane noise, specific neighbouring airport noise maps will have to be consulted, such as the Heathrow flight path noise tracker [https://webtrak.emsbk.com/lhr4]

Other mapping – There can be a huge list of other relevant maps to consult when conducting a feasibility. This can include anything from future tunnel transport locations such as Crossrail 2 [https://cr2.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=21a7f72dfd0c443db5733bd81a707a67], historic bomb droppings [http://bombsight.org/#15/51.5050/-0.0900] or how well connected a site is to public transport [https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/urban-planning-and-construction/planning-with-webcat/webcat].

Are there any significant neighbouring approved applications?

Right to Light – This is an easement in British Law protecting the right of light to existing neighbouring windows. Below are some rules of thumb that are sometimes used in designing massing’s although the only way of knowing if a window is affected by right of light is for a specialist input where they use Waldram Diagrams and apply the accepted ‘50:50 rule’.

[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Rights_to_light]

Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing – Here is it worth bearing in mind if any proposed massing will reduce the daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties. Below are some rules of thumb used by designers and planners in ascertaining if further expert advice and studies are required.

25^o rule

A building massing should be no higher that 25^o from the centre of the ground floor window.

45^o rule

If building adjacent to an existing window, you do not want to project the new massing more than 45^o from the centre of adjacent windows.

Further information on both of these rules can be found here.

Many of the above rules can be broken with a BRE daylight and sunlight report showing that the interior daylighting is only minimally affected by the development.

Outlook – Many local authorities will also restrict new development within 12m of existing front or rear facades. This is mainly for second floor outlook and not ground floor. This is a rule of thumb, using daylight and sunlight studies or surrounding context can justify reducing this distance. A surveyor that conducts daylight and sunlight reports can be found on an online search engine [https://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/daylight-reports-sunlight].

Party wall – Whilst it may not be very relevant at this stage of a project, a site with many boundaries and possible party wall issues may take longer to develop and should be flagged to the client as soon as possible. A party wall surveyor can be found using an online search engine [https://www.localbuildingsurveyor.co.uk/party-wall.html] or on the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyor’s register.

Existing Garden – When building within an existing garden, either as an extension, self-contained garden room or an independent unit, the local authority will normally limit development to 50% of the existing garden area. This does not mean that a new unit can be the full 50% of the garden, as the new unit will also require access, outlook and amenity space. For extensions and garden rooms, it is usually acceptable to build over up to 50% of the garden as long as all other permitted development / planning rules are being met.

By hand – Some people prefer to sketch over a site plan. This is especially great at the beginning and for a small project. However, if areas of buildings or spaces are key, it can sometimes be difficult to calculate these accurately whilst sketching.

2D CAD – This is a good method when areas are required and the proposal does not have a lot of storeys.

3D CAD – Many designers prefer to work in three-dimensions from the start. This is especially good if a project requires various building heights. Both Sketchup and other more detailed BIM software can be used for block massing.

Combination of the above – Another option is to use a mix of the above.

Some feasibilities will go into great detail, showing internal layouts whilst others may be a simple massing study.