Spring forward into 2025!

Gavin Watts / 26.03.2025
As we step into spring and leave the dark winter days behind, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on the first three months of 2025—an eventful period filled with both exciting milestones in the studio and notable challenges. These experiences have strengthened our practice, sharpened our focus, and driven our continued growth across multiple industry sectors.
New Commissions & Completed Projects:
 
We welcomed new appointments on a number of new one-off houses following the completion of our large Farmstead property in Berkshire. All projects have come with their unique quirks and are situated on either beautiful Green Belt, AONB or potentially “Grey Belt’ reclassified land which is a new interesting element to contend with. Areas include Shropshire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. 
 
We are also in the early stages of discussions on a number of sports & recreation projects, which includes grass roots football and of course, the ever popular Padel! 
 
Our Farmstead House, a circa 11,000sqf residential property situated outside of Reading, UK was completed at the beginning of the year after an enjoyable few years on site. This concludes our longest but most prestigious residential project to date!
Construction Progress - Appletree:
 
Progressing well on site with the building now water tight, the internal fit-out will start in the next few weeks. As a client request, we have developed the renewable energy strategy further with the scheme now featuring solar PV and air source (ASHP), complimenting our fabric first approach to sustainability!
PBSA - Oxford Road, Manchester
 
Progressing into Stage 4/5 novation appointment on our PBSA scheme. A unique adaptive re-use of the facade and internal reconfiguration of a former bank has transformed the building into student accommodation and additional retail spaces.
Paragraph 84e - Design Yorkshire
 
Our first Yorkshire design panel for the practice, we presented our Paragraph 84e project which is situated in Bielby. We received positive and constructive feedback and we are looking forward to developing the scheme and landscaping further before proceeding to a Full Planning application in early Summer.
Appletree, Mellor
PBSA, Oxford Road
Paragraph 84(e), Bielby
Define moving towards Liverpool!
 
With Ashley & Gavin’s connections to the city, our progress into Liverpool is a natural move for the practice. 
 
Oakfield, is a multi-residential and retail scheme situated on the fringe of Liverpool City Council’s Anfield Regeneration Scheme. Planning to be submitted Spring 2025!
Women in Property - Liverpool
 
Ashley is a committee member for Women In Property North West and specifically their Liverpool Branch. She organises and chairs several events including a speed networking and panel discussions as a way to bring new people together across the region and develop a strong property focused community.
Oakfield Road, Liverpool
Nearing completion for Corrboard!
 
We have been working with our industrial client over the past few months to reconfigure a major factory site, optimising it for new and future production. Although a smaller part of our portfolio, we currently have a number of industrial/ infrastructure projects within the North West & North East. This has allowed us to continue our working relationship with some close colleagues and implement our BRPD assessment procedures and consultancy.
Corrboard, Scunthorpe
Finally, the Grey Belt matter!
 
A topic I’m sure most of you have been following and one we’ve felt the impact of in recent weeks. With sites waiting to be assessed and determined as ‘Grey Belt,’ we have seen a number of brief pauses on several projects. As stated in the NPPF:
 
For the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, ‘grey belt’ is defined as land in the Green Belt comprising previously developed land and/or any other land that, in either case, does not strongly contribute to any of purposes (a), (b), or (d) in paragraph 143. ‘Grey belt’ excludes land where the application of the policies relating to the areas or assets in footnote 7 (other than Green Belt) would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting development.
 
Whilst the industry get to grips with the new planning policies and although frustrating to see these projects pause, by determining the land as Grey Belt, we hope this will allow ourarchitectural response to be exemplified once sites are determined as acceptable for development.

A few words from Gavin.

I want to personally thank everyone who has made the start to the year both busy and interesting to say the least! Working in this industry is about people and relationships, so  we are incredibly lucky with not only our studio team, but also the consultants we work with day-to-day and across different projects.
 
Our design approach is constantly evolving to keep us aligned with current trends and market demands. Facing key challenges from planning legislation changes to construction delivery, we constantly strive to keep up our high standards we set ourselves everyday. 
 
Delivering conceptually driven yet technically executed projects is what we focus on, and it is fantastic to see the progress we are making year on year!

Gavin Watts, Founding Director