Securing planning permission is the moment a project becomes real: the point where ambition turns into something you can build.
We are architectural designers specialising in planning permission, integrating planning strategy from the very first sketch so that design, policy and supporting information all move your project forward together. We secure planning permission continually across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire.
The right advice early makes all the difference. As planning application specialists, we understand what local authorities expect, and how to respond without compromising design quality.
By reading your home or site through a planning lens from the very beginning, we develop design concepts that are both ambitious and achievable: the considered starting point for planning permission for extensions, new builds and barn conversions.
We have managed hundreds of successful applications: full planning permissions, lawful development certificates, listed building consents, appeals and amendments to existing approvals.
Our service extends well beyond drawings. We prepare planning, design and heritage statements in-house, along with flood risk and tree protection reports, and where a specialist is needed we manage their input as part of our process. As a small, family-run studio, we give you a single point of contact from start to decision.
“The planning process was seamless with Philip, who gets you the result you want.”Claire, Hampshire
Every project begins with listening: understanding your ambitions and measuring them against the true potential of your home, garden and wider landscape.
Effective planning strategy is about unlocking opportunity while managing risk. Well-judged, context-led design can achieve far more than a cautious or generic proposal, and we help homeowners enlarge and transform their homes, and build new ones.
In rural settings, planning may involve National Landscapes, Conservation Areas, heritage sensitivities or the setting of listed buildings. In suburban areas, it more often means precedent, neighbour impact, overlooking, overshadowing, parking, access, trees and ecology.
These factors need careful handling, but they rarely limit what is possible. A design that responds to its garden and landscape as naturally as it does to the house itself is far easier to support at planning.
Our experience across 24 local authorities means we understand how different councils interpret policy and what supporting information each expects: knowledge that avoids delays and strengthens your application from the outset.
A successful planning application is about more than the approval itself. It is the confidence of moving forward, knowing your project has been positioned for success from day one.
At PWA, we combine planning expertise with design ambition to unlock the full potential of your home, garden and site.
Four recent applications show what design-led planning can achieve, even on the most sensitive sites.
Doubling the size of a period cottage while preserving its 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.
The 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.”
Approval for a contemporary zero-carbon home in a National Landscape.
This project replaced a modest bungalow with a significantly larger contemporary zero-carbon 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.”
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.
Approval in a conservation area beside a listed church.
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 3D 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.”
The 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.