Clear answers for your home project.

Not always. Many rear and side extensions can fall under permitted development, although this depends on the size of the proposal, your property type and whether there are any planning restrictions affecting the property. Downland Studio regularly advises homeowners across Worthing and West Sussex on whether planning permission is likely to be required before progressing with drawings.

Permitted development rights grant planning permission for certain works without a full planning application, subject to conditions and limits. Rights can be restricted, and some proposals need prior approval. The property and proposal should be checked before relying on this route.

Many householder applications have an eight-week decision target after validation. Requests for information, revisions or an agreed extension can make the process longer. We discuss the likely route and respond to relevant design queries within the agreed scope.

Most planning applications require existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, site plans and location plans. Depending on the project, additional supporting information may also be required.

Yes — although projects within conservation areas often require a more sensitive design approach and additional consideration during the planning process.

Planning drawings communicate the layout, scale and appearance of a proposal. Building Regulations drawings develop how it can be constructed, including relevant structure, insulation, ventilation, fire safety and drainage. The technical package supports Building Control review and gives the contractor more construction information.

Building Regulations drawings are typically required before construction begins and are used to demonstrate compliance with current Building Regulations standards.

Technical drawing packages often include construction details, sections, insulation information, structural coordination and other technical information required for Building Control approval and construction purposes.

In most cases, no. Planning drawings alone usually do not contain enough technical information for construction and Building Regulations approval.

A detailed digital measured survey captures the existing layout, wall thicknesses, openings and key dimensions of your home using specialist measuring technology. We check important dimensions and supplement the information with precision laser measurement where required, then use it to produce the existing Revit model and architectural drawings. The equipment captures measured information; we interpret it and develop the model. A PDF copy of your measured floor plan is added to your Client Portal as a useful record of your property.

Yes. Reliable existing information gives the design a clear starting point. Our digital measured-survey workflow helps us move efficiently from the initial site visit into the existing Revit model and proposed design, reducing unnecessary repeat visits. Measurements and building information are still checked where needed; digital capture does not replace professional judgement.

Absolutely. Many homeowners initially only have rough ideas or frustrations with how their home currently functions. Part of the design process is helping shape those ideas into practical and considered solutions.

Yes — internal reconfigurations can often dramatically improve how a home feels and functions without increasing the size of the property.

Many loft conversions fall under permitted development, although larger dormers, roof alterations and properties within conservation areas may still require planning permission.

Usable headroom is assessed alongside the roof shape, staircase, proposed floor structure and insulation. Existing height alone cannot confirm feasibility: new build-ups reduce the available space. Our digital measured survey, supplemented with precision laser checks where required, establishes the existing roof-space dimensions for us to assess within the Revit model.

Construction costs depend on the roof, structural work, access, size and specification. A simple conversion and a larger dormer with a bathroom can have very different budgets. Obtain project-specific contractor quotations and allow for consultant fees, approval charges and a contingency.

The cost of residential drawings varies depending on the size and complexity of the project. Guide pricing for typical residential work can be found within the Your Project Journey and Fees & Services sections of the website.

The build cost depends on floor area, structure, access, ground conditions, specification and the extent of alterations to the existing house. Contractor quotations based on a developed design give a more useful budget than a single cost per square metre.

In many cases, yes — particularly for smaller extensions or phased works — although this depends on the scale of the project and how disruptive the works are likely to become.

Yes, where separately agreed. Project Support offers flexible, lighter assistance. Optional Contract Administration is a formal appointment under an agreed building contract, dealing with payments, changes, instructions and contractual completion. The scope and fee are confirmed before appointment; it is distinct from continuous site supervision and Building Control inspections.

Read the homeowner’s guide to Contract Administration →

The Party Wall etc. Act can apply to work on shared structures, new walls at a boundary and certain excavations near neighbouring buildings. Whether notice is needed depends on the actual work and relationship to the adjoining property. Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval do not replace the party wall process.

Downland Studio can prepare and serve straightforward notices where included in the agreed scope. If a dispute arises or a Party Wall Award is required, a suitably appointed party wall surveyor will be needed.

Every Downland Studio project has its own Dedicated Project Space, where your current drawings and project documents are kept together. When drawings are revised, superseded versions are retained separately so there is a clear record of what has changed while making it easy to identify the latest information. Following the survey, your measured floor plan is also available as a PDF in the Client Portal, giving you a useful digital record of your existing home.

Your Dedicated Project Space gives you a live overview of where your project has reached, completed stages, current progress and what happens next. You can also access project updates, key dates, documents and other information relevant to your project from one place.

Yes. Your Dedicated Project Space provides a clear breakdown of your agreed Downland Studio fees together with invoices, payments, expenses and the remaining balance. This complements the transparent fee structure agreed at the beginning of your project.

No. You'll receive a private link to your Dedicated Project Space, so there's no separate account or password to remember. Simply keep your project link somewhere safe and use it whenever you want to check your project.

Downland Studio is based in Worthing and primarily works across Worthing, West Sussex and surrounding South Coast areas.

Absolutely. Informal initial conversations are always welcome for homeowners exploring ideas or unsure where to begin.

Yes. Downland Studio can coordinate architectural drawings with information from structural engineers and other consultants. Specialists are normally separately appointed by the client and remain responsible for their professional work. Construction support is agreed to suit the project.

Yes. Downland Studio provides architectural design services for house extensions across Worthing and West Sussex, including measured surveys, concept design, planning applications and Building Regulations drawings.

Yes. Downland Studio provides design, planning and Building Regulations drawings for loft conversions in Worthing and across West Sussex, with complete loft conversion packages available from £2,250.