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 10/16/26 Tommy Harrison 10/16/26

Why Getting Permission to Retrofit a Listed Building Still Takes So Long

Nine out of ten applications to retrofit a listed home are approved in the end — so why does the answer take months to arrive? We look at the quiet strain inside the planning system behind every slow "yes," and the national reform now being proposed to close the gap between approval and action.