What areas does Studio Harrison work in?

Derbyshire and the Peak District predominantly, with regular projects across the wider East and West Midlands, and a number of clients in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Do I need planning permission for my extension or new build?

Most extensions and all new-build homes need either planning permission or, in some cases, a Lawful Development Certificate confirming permission isn't needed — which applies depends on scale, location, and whether the property is listed or in a conservation area.

Do you offer snagging inspections for new-build homes?

Yes — a technologist-led inspection of a newly built home before or shortly after legal completion, checking construction quality and finish against the specification and building regulations.

What's a fabric-first approach to sustainable design?

Treating the building's fabric — insulation, airtightness, glazing, thermal bridging — as the foundation of energy performance, before adding renewable technology on top, in line with Passivhaus and AECB principles.

How long does a typical residential project take?

Usually several months from initial consultation to a full set of construction drawings, plus a further 8 weeks for planning determination on a standard application.

How much does it cost to work with an architectural designer on a home project?

The investment is usually structured either as a percentage of the construction cost or as a fixed fee for each design stage, agreed upfront once the scope is clear.

Tommy Harrison 9/4/26 Tommy Harrison 9/4/26

Peak District Local Plan 2026: Consultation Open Now — What to Know

The document that will shape what can be built across the Peak District for the next decade is open for comment right now. Here's what it is, in plain English, and why it's worth ten minutes of your time.

Tommy Harrison 9/2/26 Tommy Harrison 9/2/26

Are Permitted Development Rules Changing in 2026? What's Actually True

Search "permitted development 2026" and you'll find a dozen confident articles about rules that haven't actually changed. We sorted out what's true, what's proposed, and what's already different if you live in the Peak District.

Tommy Harrison 8/25/26 Tommy Harrison 8/25/26

New Build Snagging: Architect or Surveyor?

Snagging has quietly become an industry of its own — badges, certifications, marketing. Here's a more useful question: who actually knows your house well enough to check it properly?

Tommy Harrison 8/23/26 Tommy Harrison 8/23/26

RIBA Stages Explained: What Actually Happens When You Commission an Architect

From first doubt to finished home: a plain-English walk through the RIBA Plan of Work, and what each of its eight stages actually asks of you as a client.

Tommy Harrison 8/22/26 Tommy Harrison 8/22/26

House Extension Costs in Derbyshire 2026: A Realistic Guide

The question every client asks first, answered properly: what a high-end extension really costs in Derbyshire in 2026 — by specification, by type, and by everything the headline figure leaves out.