London Plan Space Standards Spreadsheet

Studio 425 are pleased to present the ‘London Housing Design Guide Spreadsheet by studio425’, a handy new tool for measuring designs for new homes against the London Plan space standards. 

Planning for Localism; a Community Workshop in Elmbridge

The Coalition’s flagship Localism Act 2011 aims to make planning decisions more democratic and more efficient by involving local communities in local planning policy.

Elmbridge Borough Council, in affluent North Surrey, recently hosted a community workshop event to ask residents of Molesey what sort of development they’d like and where the council should be investing money from the Community Infrastructure Levy, or CIL.

Flood Risk Planning Policy Explained in Plain English

‘Flood Risk’ sounds dangerous. Two words suggesting disaster and uncertainty might be enough to put off all but the most seasoned designers and developers. 

In fact, much of what you need to know about developments in areas at risk of flooding can be found in a simple table within the Technical Guidance to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Outbuildings and Permitted Development Rights

Most houses in England and Wales benefit from permitted development rights that allow homes to be extended without applying for planning permission. Whilst loft conversions and conservatories are the most popular forms of extension under permitted development rights, the General Permitted Development Order 2008 or GDPO is actually most generous where outbuildings are concerned. This article looks at how to get the most out of permitted development rights for outbuildings, garden rooms, summerhouses, garden sheds and home offices.

The Colour Green – Jargon-busting the NPPF

The Coalition Government's proposed* changes to national planning policy have received a lot of attention recently. In particular the National Planning Policy Framework's 'presumption in favour of sustainable development' has been criticised as a builder's charter that will allow greedy developers to concrete over the English Countryside. 

Public perception of the NPPF and planning policy in general is not helped by the often bewildering interpretation of apparently straightforward language. In particular I am thinking of the word 'green' which is key to our understanding both policies and places.


This article looks at the policy-specific meaning of the word 'green' and how this tallies (or otherwise) with what you might expect it to mean.

Green Belt Planning Policy – PPG2 Explained in Plain English

Architects, landowners and developers are often wary of Green Belt sites as they think it cannot be built on. In fact, keys parts of local and national planning policies actually encourage development of Green Belt sites, so long as it is the right kind of building, supporting the right kind of use. 

This article looks at how the key planning policies promote Green Belt development and how you can use them to guide your scheme towards gaining planning permission.

Extensions and House Hunting, Things to Know Before You Buy

When looking for a new home, you may want to find somewhere you can extend, either as an investment or to accommodate a growing family. But how do you know what permissions you will need or how big you can build and where?

Click and Print - House Hunting for Extendable Homes

Click and Print Guide - House Hunting for Extendable Homes

Click and print the image opposite for a handy pocket guide to house hunting for homes you can extend.