Tag / Grand Designs
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Design Trends We’re Seeing in 2026: Insights from Peregrine Mears Architects Ltd
As we move through 2026, we’ve noticed a clear shift in what clients value in their homes. While aesthetics remain important, conversations are increasingly centred around performance, longevity and how homes support evolving lifestyles. The following themes have emerged consistently across our recent projects and reflect a broader movement towards more thoughtful, adaptable and enduring…
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Class Q, Farm Diversification and Inheritance Planning: Opportunities for Agricultural Landowners
For UK farmers and agricultural landowners, the pressure on traditional farming income has never been greater. Rising costs, changing subsidy regimes and uncertainty around inheritance tax are forcing many families to rethink how their land and buildings are used. The good news is that planning policy offers real opportunities — particularly through Class Q permitted…
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A Self‑Builder’s Guide to the Galaxy
Don’t panic. If you’ve picked up The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you’ll know that those two words are excellent advice when faced with something vast, complex and slightly overwhelming. Self‑building your own home can feel exactly the same. This blog is our self‑builder’s guide to the galaxy: a practical, down‑to‑earth overview of the self‑build…
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How to Get Planning Permission for a New House in the Country
Securing planning permission for a new house in a rural location can feel like a daunting process, but with careful design and a considered approach, success is achievable. We are delighted to share that we recently secured approval for a new dwelling in the countryside, with a strong fallback option enhancing the project’s resilience. Within…
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A Context-Led Design Response: Two Contemporary Homes on a Sloping Site in Goodleigh
We are pleased to share the completion of two new detached contemporary dwellings in Goodleigh, a project shaped strongly by its challenging yet rewarding site conditions. Set on a sloping plot, the design response was driven by the need to work with the topography while maximising views across the surrounding countryside. Rather than imposing a…
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PMA receives planning approval for a new headquarters for Turnstyle Designs
PMA are excited to share that we have been granted planning approval for the construction of a new headquarters for Turnstyle Designs in the heart of North Devon. Turnstyle Designs: fabricators of luxury, artisanal door hardware, have been in operation for over thirty years. Shipping to over forty countries, they are a true North Devon…
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Glass – working with this exciting material
As part of PMA’s continual CPD programme, we welcomed of IQ Glass, respected as leading UK specialists in high specification architectural glazing, supplying and installing the most pioneering architectural glass technology. “We are currently working on various exciting commercial and residential projects using glass as a key feature” commented Dan Huxtable. He continued “Knowledge of…
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Class Q is changing. Opportunities for larger, individual dwellings are limited. Act now!
What do you think of when someone refers to a barn conversion? Nowadays these can range from traditional stone barns through to modern, steel framed buildings and more. The opportunities are huge. An awareness of the principle of Class Q permitted development rights, allowing the conversion of former agricultural buildings to residential dwellings, is generally…
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Development & diversification opportunities for farms & rural enterprises
Discerning and astute landowners and owners of farms are taking a step back to reappraise land and building use. The current economic climate is challenging for all and a different approach doesn’t mean an end to farming or abandoning the work, perhaps of previous generations. Farming methods change and it’s prudent, in indeed essential, to…
