Residential Planning Experts For Extensions & New Builds
Integrating Planning From The First Sketch
Securing planning permission is the most critical step in any residential project. Put simply: no planning, no project.
At Philip Wadge Architecture, we are architectural designers specialising in planning permission, combining design expertise with planning knowledge to give your project the strongest chance of success.
We integrate planning strategy from the very first sketch, aligning design, policy and supporting information to move your project forward with confidence.
We are continually gaining planning permission in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire, for a wide variety of projects across each of the local authorities.
Design-Led Planning Advisors
Getting the right advice early makes a significant difference. As planning application specialists, we understand what local authorities expect, and how to respond without compromising design quality.
By assessing your home or site from a planning perspective at the start, we develop design concepts that are both ambitious and achievable. This is important when seeking planning permission for extensions, new builds, and barn conversions.
Well-considered, context-led design can unlock far greater potential than a poorly judged proposal. We specialise in helping homeowners enlarge, and transform their properties as well as building new homes.
PWA as Your Planning Agents
We have managed hundreds of successful applications, including full planning permissions, certificates of lawful use, listed building consents, appeals and amendments to existing approvals.
Our service extends beyond drawings. We prepare many supporting documents in-house, including planning, design and heritage statements, as well as flood risk and tree protection reports. Where required, we collaborate with trusted specialists to ensure every aspect of the application is properly addressed.
This joined-up approach gives you a single point of contact and a clear, well-managed process from start to decision.
“The planning process was seamless with Philip, who gets you the result you want.”
Claire, Hampshire
PWA Planning Strategies
Every project begins by understanding your ambitions and measuring them against the true potential of your property or site. Effective planning strategy is about unlocking opportunity while managing risk.
In rural settings, this may involve National Landscapes, Conservation Areas, heritage sensitivities or the setting of listed buildings. In suburban areas, considerations often include precedent, neighbour impact, overlooking, overshadowing, parking, access, trees and ecology.
These factors require careful handling, but they do not have to limit what is possible. Good design, supported by clear planning reasoning, can often achieve more than expected.
Our experience across 24 local authorities means we understand how different councils interpret policy and what level of supporting information is required—helping to avoid delays and strengthen your application from the outset.
Planning With Confidence
Successful planning permission isn't just about the approval. It’s about moving forward, knowing your project has been carefully considered and positioned for success.
At PWA, we combine planning expertise with carefully considered design ambition to unlock the full potential of your home or site.
Rose Cottage
– Doubling size of a cottage while preserving its period character
This project more than doubled the size of a Victorian cottage within a National Landscape. The challenge was achieving a substantial increase in accommodation while maintaining the character and hierarchy of the original dwelling.
Planning report included:
“The existing dwelling would be enlarged considerably, but the extensions are considered to be subservient to the main dwelling. It is considered that the proposal is in keeping with the character and design of the dwelling and will have only limited impact on the character and appearance of the area generally within this National Landscape. The development therefore accords with relevant Development Plan policies which seek, amongst other matters, to ensure that development has a high-quality design which respects and enhances the character and appearance of the area.”
The Oaks
– Securing approval for a large contemporary zero-carbon home in a National Landscape
This project replaced a modest bungalow with a significantly larger contemporary home in a highly sensitive setting. The key challenge was gaining approval for a design-led scheme that departed from traditional forms while carefully managing scale and visual impact.
The planning officer commented
“The proposed dwelling is contemporary in design but has been sensitively designed in wings / sections so the visual mass does not appear too dominant. The use of high-quality materials is critical to the finished design.”
“Although the proposed form does not reflect traditional building forms in the area but officers do not consider it will be harmful to the character of the site or the surrounding area and using materials from the local vernacular will help assimilate the development into its surroundings.”
The Globe
– Winning an appeal for a sensitive heritage extension
This project involved a refused proposal to extend a period cottage with a contemporary addition in a sensitive heritage setting. We appealed, demonstrating that the design preserved the character of the original dwelling while allowing a confident modern extension.
The appeal inspector’s report included:
“The proposed two-storey extension would be set down slightly from the ridge. It would therefore allow the form of the original dwelling to be appreciated and complement its traditional appearance whilst remaining subservient in scale.
The proposed modern rear extension and glazed link would have a significant footprint, its height and position, would leave a reasonable amount of the dwelling visible. Charred timber cladding provides visual reference to the existing outbuilding.”
The inspector concluded
“As a result, the proposal would not have an adverse effect on the character or significance of the existing dwelling as a Heritage Asset or the landscape and scenic beauty of the NWD National Landscape.”
The appeal was granted.
Church Lane
– Gaining approval in a highly sensitive conservation setting
This project involved a locally listed cottage in a conservation area adjacent to a listed church, where a previous scheme had been refused. A revised approach, supported by clear visualisations, secured local support and addressed heritage concerns.
The Conservation Officer reported
“I appreciate that effort has been made to make the proposed extension subservient to the existing cottage (breaking the extension up into different elements to reduce it overall massing, and stepping the different elements down from the main cottage). I also appreciate that the extension has been designed to reflect the traditional form, scale and detailing of the cottage”
Case officer concluded
“Due to the design, position and scale of the works it is considered the proposed development with the amendments will not have a significant impact on the character of the conservation area and the NWD AONB area sufficient to recommend refusal.”
The application was approved.
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