Latest articles on self build and planning permission

Rural Land for Sale England: The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Buying Self-Build Plots in the Countryside

Rural Land for Sale England – A Complete Guide to Finding and Buying Self-Build Plots in the Countryside Estimated reading time: 10 minutes Key Takeaways Rural England offers increasing opportunities for self-build projects in picturesque settings. Understanding the self-build movement is crucial for aspiring builders. Finding suitable land involves multiple strategies, including registering with local…
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Planning Permission Countryside Home: A Comprehensive Guide to Building in Open Countryside England

Planning Permission Countryside Home: What You Need to Know Before Building in Open Countryside (England) Estimated reading time: 12 minutes Key Takeaways Building a home in the English countryside requires careful navigation of stricter planning permissions compared to urban areas. Understanding settlement boundaries and the legal framework is crucial for successful planning applications. Paragraph 84e…
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How to Get Planning Permission on Land: Your Step-by-Step Guide for England and Wales

How to Get Planning Permission on Land: Your Step-by-Step Guide for England and Wales Estimated reading time: 10 minutes Key Takeaways Understanding planning permission is crucial for land development in England and Wales. Approximately 75% of planning permissions are approved with proper application. Knowing when you need planning permission and preparing a solid application boosts…
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How to write a brief for your architect

We believe great buildings can only come from a great brief! If you are planning a self-build project and you are considering hiring an architect to help you realise your dream home, it is going to be important to getting the briefing process right. At Thomas Studio we have prepared a FREE guide to help…
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How to build a Paragraph-84(e) home in the open countryside

An in-depth guide to Paragraph-84(e) Are you thinking about building a Paragraph-84(e) home in the open countryside? If you are thinking about how to build a paragraph-84(e) home in the open countryside, or you are struggling to get through the planning system or appeal, we have set out below an in-depth guide. We focus on…
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Self build house in open countryside

About the project This dream self build house in open countryside is a triumph, as planning laws make it all but impossible to gain approval. However, the ‘all-but impossible’ – is at the cutting edge of the self build opportunity, and this self build project is a result of exemption clauses in planning law, which…
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Can I get planning permission in my garden?

10 Tips How to Get Planning Permission in Your Garden – Expert Guide 2025 Architect Garry Thomas sets out his 10 top tips for how to get planning permission in your garden, based on over 15 years of successful garden development projects across the UK. Before applying for planning consent for a house in your…
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Planning Permission for Rural Building Conversion: The Complete UK Guide

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Everything You Need to Know About Rural Building Conversion

Everything You Need to Know About Rural Building Conversion Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key Takeaways Rural building conversion is vital for repurposing redundant agricultural structures. Key types of buildings suitable for conversion include barns, stables, and granaries. Understanding planning regulations, especially Class Q rights, is essential. Adaptive reuse is a sustainable approach that preserves…
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Rural Building Conversion: The Complete Guide

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes Key Takeaways Rural building conversion can unlock the hidden value of redundant barns, Dutch barns and agricultural buildings. Conversion is often inherently sustainable because much of the structure, access, setting and embodied carbon already exists. Planning strategy is critical, particularly where Class Q, full planning permission, heritage, Hibbett and local…
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SME Builder Urban Infill: Profitable, Repeatable Strategies for Small City Plots

SME Builder Urban Infill: Profitable, Repeatable Strategies for Small City Plots Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key Takeaways Lower Infrastructure Costs: SME builders can save by using pre-existing utilities. Higher Rent and Sales Prices: Urban infill locations offer increased value. High Demand for Compact Homes: Affordable housing is a growing market. Local Knowledge and Flexibility:…
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Garry Thomas Architect

Garry Thomas’s passion for architecture has been lifelong and has led him and his clients on the most extraordinary and award-winning journeys, including becoming a Top 25 Grand Designs Architect.

Now he delivers his unique skills and expertise with a national reach through his own independent practice, right back where it all started, in Fownhope, Herefordshire. Read more