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 10/27/26 Tommy Harrison 10/27/26

What's Next for the Peak District Local Plan, Now the Consultation Has Closed

A consultation closing is rarely the end of a story in planning — more often, it's the hinge. Here's what the next stage of the Peak District's new Local Plan really means for anyone with a drawing board, a spade, or a piece of land in mind within the National Park boundary, and why the policy governing your project today may not be the policy that governs it tomorrow.

Tommy Harrison 10/25/26 Tommy Harrison 10/25/26

Will Your Planning Application Go to Committee — or Straight to an Officer?

From the end of October, most extensions and new homes in England will be settled by a planning officer, not a committee vote. Here's what's actually changing — and the one thing that could still send yours the other way.

Tommy Harrison 10/21/26 Tommy Harrison 10/21/26

Can I Build a Bigger Extension Without Planning Permission? The Rules Homeowners Are Still Waiting On

Two and a half years ago, the government promised a bigger rulebook for extensions built without planning permission. It still hasn't arrived — and designing a project around legislation that may never land is a quiet way to lose a year, not gain one. Here is exactly what you can build under today's rules, and how to plan sensibly while the rest stays unwritten.

Tommy Harrison 9/25/26 Tommy Harrison 9/25/26

The Hidden Cost of Extending in 2026/2027: What’s Happening to Planning Application Fees

Another rise in planning fees is on the table for December — though nothing is settled yet. Here's what's actually known, and why the fee itself was never really the point.