Creating new homes in urban areas can be very difficult. The lack of space can cause problems and, in many cases, large pieces of open land have protection to prevent development. In some cases the only option is to build on small plots. This can be tricky, but with the right support and a good design it is possible. We would love to help with this kind of project. In fact, we are one of the most skilful architects London has when it comes to these small developments.

What to think about

There are a few things to think about here to make the project a success. Firstly, you need to choose a design that will maximise the space. This is the best way to create a new home that people will love living in. You may need to be very creative, including looking at options for basement development to create more space.

One of the challenges with some small plots is overlooking and density. This is especially true if the plot is in the garden of an existing property. Here you will need to think about how you can design the building so it does not overlook the neighbours or allow them to see into the new home. You also need to think about natural light; you don’t want to block it.

Access is another key issue with small plots. You need to ensure that your new development does not prevent people from accessing neighbouring properties. It is also vital to ensure that the new residents will be able to come and go easily.

You will need to think about planning permission too. It can be trickier to get this because there are so many more factors to consider, including the wellbeing of neighbours, the character of the area, and things like drainage. Planning policies also tend to favour the creation of larger family homes. That can make it harder to get permission for a project where the home will be smaller.

Talking to architects in London

Coffey Architects is a company with a unique insight into developments on small plots. We have experience on a number of these projects. In fact, we are currently working on one for sites in Croydon. While the plots can be challenging to work on, we always believe that the right designs and quality work can create wonderful homes for people.

You can find out more about our work on small plots by browsing projects on our main website. Then, if you have your own project in mind or need advice, you can contact us. We love hearing about ideas for sites and can contribute our own to help you.