Architectural Designers in Midhurst

In Midhurst, most design questions are really National Park questions.

What most people actually want is simpler: someone to design their home properly, and get planning permission for it. We have designed and gained planning for homes for 26 years. We are Architectural, Interior and Landscape Designers that can take your project the whole way: Measured survey, Design, Planning Application, Building Regulations Drawings, and Construction Management for when you want the build run as well as drawn.

​

Who decides planning applications in Midhurst?

The South Downs National Park Authority is the planning authority, but most applications are submitted to and handled by Chichester District Council on its behalf. The Authority’s own officers take the most significant schemes. We have been designing homes inside the National Park for over 10 years, so we can judge early what is likely to be approved. If you have looked at architect fees and found them expensive, you are not alone: we keep the design stage focused, without wasted rounds of redesign.

​

Which planning policies apply?

There are many to negotiate and understand, from the South Downs Local Plan, adopted on 2 July 2019 and running to 2033, with a review now under way to the National Planning Policy Framework and the General Permitted Development Order from 2019.

​

Do you need planning permission for an extension in Midhurst?

Often, yes. Permitted development rules are tighter in a National Park. Side extensions, rear extensions of more than one storey, dormers and other roof extensions, and new external cladding all may need planning permission, and the larger single-storey rear extension allowance does not apply. If your home is listed, most alterations also need listed building consent.

​

How do the dark skies rules affect your design?

The South Downs has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2016, and Local Plan policy SD8 protects its dark night skies, so glazing, rooflights and outside lighting are closely checked. When the policy was new, one of our applications faced refusal over light spill. We added automatic blackout blinds and it was approved. Alchemy House of Design proudly claims that we were the first Architectural Design Practice to navigate the policy successfully working with the SDNP.

​

What if your home is in the Midhurst Conservation Area?

The conservation area covers the medieval town centre, the River Rother corridor and the Cowdray ruins, and holds 108 listed entries, from one Grade I to 105 Grade II. Changes there, and to any listed home, are judged more strictly, and listed building consent is a separate application from planning permission.

Where we work

Haslemere · Hindhead · Midhurst · Fernhurst · Liphook · Godalming · Petersfield · Farnham · Petworth · Guildford · Chichester