Farm Diversification

Competitive farming the current economic climate is challenging with many key people stepping out of the industry for a more glamorous work is farm diversification the answer?

Farms throughout the country have many attributes which they can capitalise on whether it be offering new camping or glamping facilities’ through new activities or conversion of redundant buildings through farming permitted development and Class Q.

Adding additional revenue streams to existing farming businesses make sense. Taking the pressure off the main source of income the release of assets can be used to reinvest back into the main business. Diversification could be the answer:

More than half of UK farms have carried out a form of diversification according to new figures realised by DEFRA. A recent study found that over a twelve-month period the total revenue from these farm diversification activities was £580million in 2015/16. A study carried out by the UK Government found that on average farm diversification provided an extra £10,400.00 in additional revenue per farm.

Many activities include cheese making, pick your own fruit or participatory events such as One Man and his Dog or learning new country skills.

In some cases, offering bed and breakfast through holiday lets or converting redundant buildings have far exceeded traditional revenue streams offering a wealth of investment opportunities and development potentials.

What can I do on my farm?

Class Q allows conversion of certain types of barns into houses, even if they are isolated. Whilst these are subject to stringent conditions, this does offer a route of realising capital out of the land or a more passive conversion through holiday let portion.

If you have a project in mind and you would like to discuss it with the team at KODA architects, drop us a line or email us through out contact us page.

What this space for more helpful information in house secure planning permission for class Q barn conversions and more…

koda architects barn conversion

Barn conversion in Herefordshire

KODA architects have been appointed for a suite of barn conversion in Herefordshire this week.

The farm located in a very rural part of Herefordshire and has a range of barns including traditional rubble stone with pitched roof to a modern steel portal frame and concrete buildings. The farm has a great deal of potential for conversion and KODA architects are working closely with the wider design team to bring about a carefully considered intervention, maximising the sites potential.

The farm dates back to the early 1800s just prior to when farming activities intensified during the industrial revolution. As such, there are remnants of old agricultural practices such as a surviving stone cider press and press. It seems as though the inhabitance have just left, making this part of the building highly significant, attributing to its grade II listed status. KODA architects are planning to incorporate the original press by leaving it in situ, making it a feature to the room.

We are prepare a master plan for the whole farm site to bring about a new range of development, offering new houses in a rural part of the country. Past farm diversification projects include Barn conversion in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire where conversions and carefully planned interventions have been included to supplement farming income.

Recently the government have announced new class Q regulations further allowing the conversion of agricultural buildings. For more information see KODA architects guidance on getting planning permission on barn conversions and how to get planning permission under class Q.

We will be following the progress of our investigation works and the development of the site through our Instagram and News posts – stay tuned for more information. 

                                                                                                 

 

KODA architects Hereford

KODA architects in Hereford learn that £95 million announced for #HistoricStreets

KODA Architects Hereford has just learnt about a new suite of funding to revive historic High Streets.

This week, the government has announced £95 million to revitalise 69 High Streets in England, with Leominster, Herefordshire being the lucky recipient of some the cash injection.

Conservation Architect Fred Hamer said ” High Streets across the UK are struggling to challenge the might of internet selling agents. This new cash injection is part of the governments drive to help high street adapt to the changing environment.” 

Leominster will share part of £21 million investment allocated across the Midlands area and joins Plymouth, Bedford and Tottenham. The funding has been awarded by three main contributors including £52million from Ministry of housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Street Fund, £3million from National Lottery Heritage Fund and £40million from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

This week, Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan announced the boost as said “Our nation’s heritage is one of our great calling cards to the world, attracting millions of visitors to beautiful historic buildings that sit at the heart of our communities. It is right that we ensure these buildings are preserved for future generations but it is important that we make them work for the modern world.”

A large portion of KODA architects in Hereford historic and current work is working and careful adapting historic structures, meeting the needs of the current owners or users. KODA architects in Hereford currently have projects across the country including Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. For some examples of you previous work, please contact us or take a look at out PORTFOLIO OF WORK.

Our historic environment is a finite resource and once it is lost, we cannot recreate it honestly. This environment is critical in our association with a sense of place and homeliness. The £95million will allow these assets to be carefully repaired but also adapted to meet the changing nature of the high street in the 21st Century. 

KODA architects in Herefordshire are working with a number of community groups and retail projects, with regular updates to follow, stay tuned for more. http://www.instagram.com/kodaarchitects/

 

koda architects hereford

KODA architects Hereford launch website

KODA architects Hereford are proud to launched their brand new website.

We have been working hard over the past couple of months in generating content and revisiting past projects to take photographs. 

Conservation Architect Fred Hamer said ” Revisiting past clients has been a great and a very rewarding experience. It has allowed us to see how the projects that we spent a long time detailing and working on have changed how you clients lives. Revisiting our many happy clients has been great, reconnecting and catching up. 

KODA architects do not just cover Herefordshire, but have projects currently in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, London and in Shropshire. Geography isn’t a problem as our past projects include working in Exeter and Lincoln. We will consider projects throughout the country so if you have a project you would like to discuss with us, please get in touch with us. 

At KODA architects Hereford, we love seeing our clients dream come to a reality and this is realised by working through our process in close collaboration with you the client. For more information on our process working with our private clients: https://kodaarchitects.com/private-clients/

As RIBA Chartered Architects, we follow the RIBA Plan of Work but have adapted it to provide a bespoke process for our clients. Our new website outlines our services across the RIBA stages whether it be from initial inception right the way through the detailed design, construction and handover. We believe in adding value at each stage. From our initial inspection of the site, we will look for every opportunity available to maximise the development, whether it be a small house extension to a brand new house, business headquarters, retail outlet or sensitive repair project.

Our thanks goes to our website developer Do it UK who can be contacted through their website at https://doituk.com/

KODA Architects in Herefordshire are overseeing a number of projects across the country with regular updates to follow, stay tuned for more. http://www.instagram.com/kodaarchitects/

 

Architects Worcestershire

Extension in Worcestershire

KODA Architects in Worcestershire are delighted to announce that planning permission had been granted. The works include a full schedule of repairs and replacement of some previous extensions to a Grade II listed property in Worcestershire. 

The property was built in the 16th Century and once was a formed part of a wide country estate. With the country estate being demolished, little remains of the estate with the cottage being one of the surviving elements. The quintessential Cotswold property with Cotswold Stone walls and a black and white timber framed sits in a prominent location in the village. The property was a house for many years but spent some time as the village shop and then turn back into a house. The property has undergone significant alterations throughout its history with many replacement timbers, being reused from other timber frames buildings and a replacement roof. 

Prior to KODA architects involvement the property had a series of unsympathetic extensions including a UPVC conservatory. The proposals include removal of two phases of extensions and replacement with one, better considered, space. The new proposed extension is a striking a contrast to the existing medieval cottage. The large open glazed wall give views over the private garden whilst maximising the light into the newly formed kitchen. 

The new extension uses traditional green oak framing together with black bi folding doors, creating a close relationship with the garden.

KODA’s, Conservation Architect Fred Hamer said “working with historic structures is a pleasure. Before we propose any alterations or repairs, we first must investigate why and how the building was built. Then to find out what has caused the failure. Sometimes the cause can be obvious but other it takes a little opening up by removing plaster or brickwork to discover what the cause is.”

KODA Architects Worcestershire are overseeing the construction phase, with regular updates to follow, stay tuned for more. http://www.instagram.com/kodaarchitects/

 

Architects in ludlow

Planning Permission Granted for alterations and additions to cottage near Ludlow

KODA architects are delighted to have received planning permission for alterations and additions to a cottage near Ludlow which had been severely damaged by a fire. Although not habitable the new owners of the building could see the potential of the property which commands striking views of the Shropshire countryside. Our clients brief is to maximise additional floor space for them and their family to enjoy.

Initially the Planning Officers were not in favour of the contemporary design or increase in footprint proposed by our scheme. However after providing justification KODA Architects successfully negotiation with the Local Authority and the proposal was recommended for approval.

KODA Architects design seeks to restore the existing building to its previous status by replacing the PVCu windows with sliding sash timber windows similar to that original to the building. The extensions take the form of a two storey rear addition integrated with a single storey side extension which incorporates an open plan sitting roof glazed floor to ceiling to take advantage of the stunning views.

The design successfully doubles the original buildings footprint whilst also respecting the original buildings prominence. The new walls are in stone to reflect that of the existing building coupled with floor to ceiling glass maximising both natural light into the building and views out. The internal layout was also re-ordered to complement the layout of the building creating a larger open plan feel to the property. The key element of the proposal has to be the new opening planning living room extension which incorporates a rooftop terrace taking full advantage of the views.

Working with our private clients, we seek to realise their brief and maximise the potential of each dwelling, needless to say out clients are thrilled with the result. KODA Architects services will be retained though to the next phase of the detailed design.

architects hereford

New Apartments in Hereford City Centre

KODA architects have submitted an application for nine new apartments in Hereford City Centre. The proposal is to convert a former 1960s office building into new self contained units complete with communal areas.

The building was constructed in the 1960s as a fruit and vegetable distribution warehouse, with associated offices and replaced a terrace of Victorian properties. In contrast to the terrace, the new façade boasted large windows which throws light into the upper floors. The design of the new apartments takes full advantage of the large windows, maximising light through the building.

The massing and front elevation is a testament to 1960s architecture. Formed of a concrete frame, tile bands feature below the large format windows adding colour to the once white frame. KODA architects proposed to retain the 1960s façade and through a series of repairs bring it back to its former glory.

Working with our developer clients, we seek to maximise the potential of each site. The advantages of this development were easy to see at the outset of the project. The new apartments are a stones throw away from Hereford City Centre, making the site highly sustainable, allowing the new owners to take advantage of Herefords amenities.

Our submission has been reported by the Hereford Times and locals have fond memories of the building and the people who used to work there. The applications gaining positive feedback, view a summary on:

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/17758526.planning-weekly-round-up-applications-herefordshire/

Seven New Houses

KODA architects has submitted a planning application for seven new houses to Herefordshire Council.  Located in the north of the county, the seven new units add to the established settlement. The team at KODA architects have worked closely with our clients to maximise a sites potential. As a result it is our aim to add value at each stage of your project.

As architects in Hereford, our process of working closely with our clients define the project outcomes at the earliest stage. KODA architects like to challenge the brief to investigate different options to achieve a maximum output and return.

Director, Alex Whibley said “helping shape new communities and adding to existing settlements is a great opportunity. Our process at KODA architects looks at creating sustainable additions to settlements whether that be through renewable technologies, low impact housing and recycling where possible.”

As an architects practice in Hereford, we relish the challenge to maximise the site. Every site we work with is unique which we can take advantage of, through developing views, orientation or creating mixed use sites among others.

Our method creates a cost effective design solution which architecturally striking interventions. In addition an attention to detail and high standards both in design and delivery maximises developments. This then commands a premium when the units come to sale on the open market.

Maximising the site

The seven new houses takes full advantage of the sloping site as well as excellent views over the Herefordshire Countryside. The seven new units are positioned to to maximise solar gain and light in the winter months but offers shading during the warmer weather. 

Building in sustainability in to all of our proposals is a key design consideration at the start of every project. Legislation and our impact on the environment is always increasing and we must do our part to combat this. Building low impact housing can help achieve this goal. KODA architects can advise you on adaptation of your existing property or new build to reduce bills and maximise the potential of your site. 

To find out more about KODA architects process of working with our developer clients, please see 

https://kodaarchitects.com/developer-clients/

 

Seven New Houses in Herefordshire