Swain Architecture have moved office!
After a short delay, Swain Architecture is now settled into our new home, and we love it!
We’ve relocated from Long Eaton to a beautifully renovated office, The Grove in Bramcote, bringing us closer to Beeston, Chilwell, and Nottingham City Centre. The space has recently been refurbished with modern interiors and up-to-date tech, while still retaining plenty of period character and natural light of the original building.
We’ve no more moves planned any time soon, so if you’d like to come and see us, we’d love to have you. Just get in touch to arrange a visit…
Local Planning; What You Need to Know
Potential clients often ask us what’s involved in submitting a local planning application. Although applications can vary from project to project (and occasionally aren’t even required), typically they involve preparing drawings and documents showing your proposed development, completing an application form, and submitting it to the relevant planning authority. A planning officer will assess the impact on neighbouring properties, local character, heritage, and various local and national policies before making a decision.
Common misconceptions:
“It’s just paperwork” – poor-quality plans or missing documents can delay or invalidate your application.
“Neighbours can block my plans” – Objections are considered, but they don’t automatically mean refusal.
“Pre-application advice isn’t worth it” – Skipping a ‘pre-app’ can lead to costly time delays, extra fees and refusal.
“Planning = building reg’s” – Many people confuse planning permission with building regulations; the two are separate and required.
Why Choose Swain Architecture to Ensure Your Project is Granted Planning Permission?
At Swain Architecture we help our clients navigate the planning process (especially in conservation areas or rural locations that might be considered hard to build on).
- 1. Seamless Planning & Approval
- 2. High Quality Architectural Design
- 3. Expert knowledge of Construction and Sustainable Best Practice
If you live in a conservation area or have an ambitious project we’d be happy to discuss your options.
Get in touch for a complementary consultation
Heritage Projects by Swain Architecture
Swain Architecture to embrace flexible working to increase productivity and empower their team
We’re evolving to incorporate hybrid working
During our eight years working as a Midlands-based architectural agency we’ve seen many changes to the workplace. When Izzy (Swain) Rhodes set the business up in 2016, one of her guiding principles was to create a working environment that encouraged creativity and attracted the best talent so Swain can produce the best architecture. As Covid hit and the location and scheduling of work had to become more flexible we learned that working from home can sometimes increase productivity and give our team some variety. We still value our Nottingham studio, and we believe that architecture is a team sport, but we also recognise that some home working and time away from distractions can be good for business.
When will this begin?
From 2025 we will be shifting to a hybrid-work pattern. Every week our team will be working in the office for three days and at home for two days. Additionally, we will be instigating a staggered nine working day fortnight. In practice that means that half our team will have a Friday off every two weeks and the other half will have the following Friday off. We will make up for the loss of a working day per fortnight by working longer hours during the remaining nine days.
When are we making this change?
We began testing this change from November 2024 to make sure that it works before making it official.
Why are we changing the way we work?
We’ve made this change to ensure our team are happy and feel looked after and to enable us to attract the best talent in the future – all of which will help us deliver great architecture.
What will be the difference for our clients and work?
We don’t believe clients will notice any difference to our productivity and service, but we are our monitoring business metrics to ensure that there is no detrimental effect to our productivity or the service our clients experience.
More from Swain Architecture
Class Q Barn Conversions: Transforming Rural Buildings into Beautiful Homes
At Swain Architecture we specialise in Class Q barn conversions, helping landowners and developers unlock the potential of their property. With the right expertise, these structures can be converted into great places to live while conserving their rural environment and creating architecturally interesting buildings.
The permitted development right known as Class Q was introduced in 2014 and offers landowners with redundant buildings the opportunity to maximise their land, but the process can be complex. Below, we explore what you need to know about Class Q barn conversions, including eligibility, regulations, the pros and cons, as well as the design possibilities.
What is Class Q Permitted Development?
Class Q is a specific set of permitted development rights that allow agricultural buildings, such as barns, to be converted into residential dwellings without the need for full planning permission. Instead, landowners can apply for prior approval from the local planning authority, which is a simpler and faster process compared to a traditional planning application, particularly when applying for planning in the countryside or in a conservation area.
These regulations were introduced to encourage the re-use of redundant farm buildings, helping to address the UK’s housing shortage while preserving the rural landscape.
What Buildings Qualify for Class Q?
Not all agricultural buildings automatically qualify for Class Q permitted development. To be eligible, they must meet specific criteria set by Part 3, Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015.
Key eligibility criteria include:
The building must have been in agricultural use before 20th March 2013 (or part of an established agricultural unit).
Up to five dwellings can be created within a single barn, with a total floorspace limit of 865 square metres.
The barn must be capable of conversion without significant structural rebuilding. Class Q does allow for additional walls, windows, and roof.
Class Q is not allowed within National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or conservation areas.
The conversion must not result in highway safety issues, or excessive noise.
The Benefits of a Class Q Barn Conversion
1. A Simplified Planning Process
Class Q removes the need for full planning permission, significantly reducing the time and complexity involved in securing approval.
2. Adding Value to Your Land
Converting an agricultural building into a residential property can substantially increase its market value, a smart investment for landowners.
3. Preserving Rural Character
Barn conversions can retain the architectural heritage while creating contemporary living spaces, creating unique and desirable homes.
4. Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Living
Repurposing existing structures reduces the environmental impact of construction.
The Class Q Process
1. Feasibility Assessment
We conduct a thorough assessment.
2. Preparing the Prior Approval Application
A prior approval application must be submitted to the local planning authority.
3. Securing Prior Approval
Decisions are usually made within 56 days.
4. Designing the Conversion
Upon approval we work with you to create the perfect design.
5. Construction & Completion
With designs finalised, construction begins.
Key Design Considerations for Class Q Barn Conversions
1. Retaining Original Features
Maintain the barn’s character by include original features such as exposed timber beams and brickwork.
2. Maximising Light & Sight Lines
Barns often have large doors and high ceilings which provide opportunities for feature glazing, adding natural light and countryside views.
3. Layout
Many barn conversions embrace open-plan layouts, creating spacious and contemporary interiors that enhance the sense of internal flow and connection.
4. Sustainability
Where possible we recommend high-performance insulation, and sustainable heating and power installation. We aim to ensure the best possible energy efficiency, comfort, self-sufficiency and running cost.
Why Choose Swain Architecture for Your Class Q Barn Development?
At Swain Architecture we are experts in Class Q barn conversions, and have helped many clients transform diseased rural buildings into great places to live. Our expertise ensures:
- 1. Seamless Planning & Approval
- 2. High Quality Architectural Design
- 3. Expert knowledge of Construction and Sustainable Best Practice
If you’re considering a Class Q barn conversion in the East Midlands, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Your first step is to drop us a line.
Get in touch
Class Q and Rural Projects by Swain Architecture
The Benefits of Working with an Architect
The Benefits of Working with an Architect
Whether it is your first time considering employing an architectural practice or whether you are a seasoned developer it is always good to question the value you get from the professionals you employ to realise your dreams. In this thought piece we discuss the benefits of employing an architect and the value that can deliver.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
When designing a new home or re-imagining a building there are sometimes some misunderstandings about the role an architectural practice can play within the design and build process. Some think that architects are there to employ and project manage a builder, some think they are only there to draw plans and elevations, and some think that an architect isn’t required at all.
At Swain Architecture we believe there are some very compelling reasons to work with qualified architects and technologists. Through permitted development or just using a draftsman to produce working drawings you could have enough to employ a builder. What you might be left with though, is not necessarily the ideal space for the building’s end use. We often come across new clients who have a building that isn’t fit for purpose and this, we believe, is where good architecture can pay dividends.
Qualified Architects
When arriving at a new project, qualified Architects and technologists have many years of education. They then also have many years’ experience working with clients and solving problems in the real world to call back on. Our Founding Director, Izzy Rhodes, qualified in 2008 and has been working within architectural practices ever since, finally setting up Swain Architecture in 2016.
A Holistic Approach
The experience an Architectural practice has is utilised to analyse a client’s needs, we often hear our clients tell us that “we’ve never been asked that before” or “we haven’t thought about that before”, at the consultation phase of our work. Sometimes a solution may be a very simple or small architectural intervention but the effect it has on the whole building, and more importantly the people who are going to use it, can be dramatic. Employing architectural professionals will, without question, mean that the end use of your building is fit for purpose.
Architecture within a Conservation Area
Conservation Areas are notoriously difficult to be granted planning approval in. At Swain Architecture we have a wealth of experience of working within planning regulations and we understand the intricacies of period architecture. Through considerate architecture, appropriate massing and materiality we can guide you through the process of bringing your building in-line with your expectations of how you’d like to use it, at the same time as respecting the architectural heritage of your locality.
Real Value
At Swain Architecture, as well as sensible pricing, we work closely with our clients to create the best value for their new space. By asking the right questions and combining that knowledge with our experience of construction and materials we can ensure that your project is right first time. If a development is on budget and on time that’s one thing, but if it’s fit for purpose from day one and can easily adapt to the needs of anyone who inhabits it then we believe it offers the best value for money.
Find out more about working with an Architect…
To learn more about how we work, the services we provide and our approach to architectural design please get in touch with us to arrange a free consultation.
Swain Architecture Studio Relocate to Nottingham
Swain Architecture Studio Relocate to Nottingham
Swain Architecture Founding Director Elizabeth Swain has been featured in Broxtowe Business News. Izzy, along with her husband and two young daughters were interviewed at their home about why moving Swain Architecture to the Nottingham suburb having previously been based in Derby City Centre had been the right move for both the family and the business.
