HSE to Investigate Dust Levels

KODA architects have learnt that the from the beginning of next week, October 7th 2019, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be visiting construction sites throughout the UK specifically looking for measures to control dust.

 

Across all of KODA architects projects the team carry out a Principal Designer role in Hereford, assisting and supervising the health and safety process throughout the design stages. Our appointment is furthered through the construction stages where we assist the Principal Contractor in operating in a safe and ordered way. We carry out these duties under the Construction Design Management Regulations (CDM) 2015.

Health and Safety is at the forefront of our design process and where possible we will always strive to design out risks during the construction process or at a maintenance level.

Among other serious risks, dust can be a major issue during any stage of a construction project whether it is during the demolition and take down or through applying plaster and finishing touches, each activity has their own risks.

During the demolition phase dust can be a serious issue not only to the wider environment but also to the people carrying out the activities. Added to this risk is Asbestos within the construction material itself.

The Health and Safety Executive have published many guidance notes on working with dangerous materials. Click on the links below for further information:

Asbestos Essentials

Dust Guidance

Respiratory Equipment Guidance

The additional measures are to target and reduce the longer-term affects of dust on construction works of occupational lung disease, which may not manifest itself straight away but many years later.

KODA architects principal designer in Hereford oversees the health and safety management of our project throughout the design phase. On all of our projects the team at KODA architects carryout a designers checklist which then is used for the basis of our pre construction health and safety plan.

For more information, take a look at the HSE news bulletin .

If you would like to discuss anything in post, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

 

Class Q Barn Conversions

KODA architects have a wealth of experience for planning and delivering Class Q Barn Conversions. We have recently been successful in a class Q Barn Conversion in Herefordshire as well as in neighbouring counties of Shropshire and Gloucestershire. 

Planning Permission

Formal Planning permission is not needed for the Class Q Barn Conversions under the General Permitted Development Order. Subject to a set list of requirements, some barns may be converted into offices and residential premises provided they meet the criteria set. The criteria list is quite long however the headline points are as follows:

  • The building is not listed;
  • The area is not in the a conservation area, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty;
  • The barn must have been in agricultural use on the 20th March 2013 or ten years prior to the conversion which ever is greater;
  • Once converted the finished building must not be greater than the original footprint;
  • The building must be able to be converted without any structural interventions i.e. no new footprints, floor slabs or load bearing walls;
  • No new significant openings i.e. windows and doors are permitted only ones to allow conversion.

Do I need an Architect?
In short – yes. As architects, it’s our job to ensure compliance with the legislation whilst maximising the design, getting the most out of the building. We can also assist with the additional information required including a structural appraisal of the existing building, landscape impact and submitting a certificate of Lawfulness to the local authority to ensure that your project complies with the order.

If you have a potential Class Q Barn Conversion and you would like to know more about our process and routes to convert the building, get in touch with us. 

Local Requirements:
Each local authority as an approach to Class Q Barn Conversion. As part of our process when approaching a Class Q application, we would seek out their requirements.

We have had a number of successful projects delivering Class Q Barn Conversion in Herefordshire and the neighbouring counties. For Herefordshire Local Requirements click here.

 

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…