Landscaping & Design
Do I need a garden or landscape designer, and if so what are the benefits?
Creating a well designed garden or landscape requires a huge breadth of technical knowledge and experience that goes beyond horticulture and hard landscaping. Bringing all of these elements together in a creative and cohesive manner to deliver enduring end-results, that’s also within your budget, requires meticulous planning and managing. Durkin Premier Landscapes Ltd will make this process as simple as possible for you. We will take time to work closely with you, discovering what makes you tick, offering a variety of solutions and recommending the best way of meeting your individual requirements.
Whilst primary concerns for creating your dream garden may be a tranquil place to enjoy with your kids, grow your own food or increase the local biodiversity, it’s worth noting that a well designed garden can increase the value of your property by up to 17%. This means bringing a garden landscaper in is a better investment than a kitchen or bathroom..
How does the whole process work?
Have a look at the Services section for a more detailed understanding of our work, but essentially you can use the contact form on this website or you can call us on 01282 451532 or 01254 970043.
We will be more than happy to supply a quotation via email or discuss a site visit over the phone.
How long will it take?
That completely depends on the size of the project and other factors such as access & ground conditions. If you contact us or give us a ring on 01282 451532 or 01254 970043, we will be more than happy to discuss your project’s requirements.
How much will it cost?
The total cost naturally depends on the size of the project, the equipment needed, materials used and the timescale of the job.
Building Work
Will my building project need building regulation approval?
Most building projects – even small walls, knock-throughs or improvements – need to comply with the building regulations – even if they do not require planning permission. So it’s always best to ask for advice from your local council building control team.
Some types of minor building or improvement works like putting up sheds, car ports or porches do not need to be signed off by a local council building inspector. The general rule is that if they are small (less than 30m2), or are built of non-combustible material, or are separated from nearby buildings or land and do not contain sleeping accommodation they are exempt – although it is best to check with your local building control team before starting work.
Patio and Driveway Building Permission
Specific rules apply for householders wanting to pave over their front gardens.
You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing which allows water to drain through, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.
If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.
Elsewhere around your house there are no restrictions on the area of land which you can cover with hard surfaces at, or near, ground level.
However, significant works of embanking or terracing to support a hard surface might need a planning application.
If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant works whether internal or external.
Please note: the permitted development allowances described here apply to houses not flats, maisonettes or other buildings.
Building Regulations
Generally a new driveway or patio area does not require building regulations approval.
However, you will need to make sure that any alterations do not make access to the dwelling any less satisfactory than it was before. So, for example, changing levels to introduce steps where none existed before would be a contravention of the regulations.
Click Here to read the full guide
What is the difference between planning permission and building regulations?
Planning permission is about deciding whether you can go ahead with a building project looking at its effect on neighbouring properties and the wider environment. In contrast Building Regulations set standards for design and construction and building control checks the work of builders and architects to make sure that projects are built properly and that when complete they are safe and comfortable for people to use.
How do I apply for building regulation approval?
Talk to your local council building control team who will be able to help you decide the most appropriate way to apply. There are generally two types of applications for building regulation approval: Full plans (usually for larger work) and Building Notices (usually for more minor works). For both of these you will have to pay a fee to your local council.
What are the Building Regulations?
• A Structure
• B Fire safety
• C Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
• D Toxic substances
• E Resistance to the passage of sound
• F Ventilation
• G Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency
• H Drainage and waste disposal
• J Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
• K Protection from falling, collision and impact
• L Conservation of fuel and power
• M Access to and use of buildings
• N Glazing – safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning
• P Electrical safety
The documents can be downloaded at the Planning Portal guidance in the documents is not statutory and do not have to be followed. If you wish to design and construct your building work in some other way, you may do so providing you can show that it still complies with the relevant requirements of the regulations. The guidance in the Approved Documents will be taken into account when considering whether your plans of proposed work, or work in progress, comply with particular requirements. In addition, there is a legal presumption that if you have followed the guidance in the documents, this is evidence that your work has complied with the Building Regulations.
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