Are you on a mission to incorporate sustainable design principles into your next home renovation or extension project? You’ve come to the right place. At CODA Bespoke, we're passionate about ideas that not only enhance your living space but embrace sustainable design.
For us, eco-conscious design isn’t just a trend but a way to create a greener, more energy-efficient spaces that don’t compromise on style or luxury. Looking for inspiration? Read on as we explore over 20 creative ways to design sustainable home renovations and extensions.
As far as we’re concerned, harnessing the power of the sun is one of the most underutilised sustainable design principles. Put simply, passive solar design maximises natural sunlight and minimises energy consumption. The result? Your home is filled with natural light and your energy bills stay as low as possible.
What’s not to love? Consider adding large, south-facing windows to capture the sun's warmth during the winter. This not only reduces heating costs contributes to a bright and inviting living space.
Instead of buying new, consider reclaimed and recycled materials for your renovation or extension. Salvaged wood, bricks and even reclaimed metal can add character to your home while reducing the demand for new resources. It's a win-win for aesthetics and sustainability. Don’t be afraid to get creative with reclaimed materials and find an architect and builders who share your vision.
Green roofs and living walls have serious Instagram appeal but they’re more than just a trend. Covering your roof with vegetation not only looks striking but can improve insulation, reduce stormwater runoff and create a habitat for wildlife. Inside, living walls help to improve air quality and serve as a stunning visual feature that brings the outdoors in.
Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors is one of the easiest ways to improve the sustainability credentials of your renovation project. Look for options with high insulation values to keep your home comfortable year-round.
Ditch the traditional radiators and opt for underfloor heating. Luxurious and energy-efficient, modern underfloor heating systems keep your home cosy while reducing your carbon footprint.
Never underestimate the importance of proper insulation. As well as keeping you comfortable, insulating your home reduces the need for constant heating or cooling, which translates to lower energy bills. To really give your home a sustainable edge, consider eco-friendly insulation materials like cork, sheep's wool and hemp.
Solar panels allow you to harness energy from the sun – not just heat as we discussed above. They require an initial investment but will soon pay for themselves in the form of significant long-term savings on your energy bills. With the right planning and design, there’s no need for them to be an eyesore either.
Collecting and using rainwater for non-potable purposes is an easy way to improve the sustainability of your home. For example, H2O collected from your rainwater harvesting system can be used to water your garden or even flush toilets. Some homeowners go one step further and use rainwater collection as their sole source of water.
Integrate smart home technology into your renovation and embrace eco-friendly solutions like energy-efficient lighting, thermostats and home automation systems to control energy usage.
During your renovation, aim to minimise waste by recycling and reusing materials where possible. The best way to do this is to chat to your architect, builders and contractors about waste reduction solutions before starting your project.
Modular extensions are a smart and sustainable way to expand your living space. They’re prefabricated offsite, which reduces construction waste. Plus, they can be designed with sustainability in mind and packed with energy-efficient features.
Improve your indoor air quality by choosing low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes. This will help keep the air in your home fresh and toxin-free. Proper ventilation systems can also help improve indoor air quality.
If your home has historic or heritage value, taking measures to preserve its unique character is a thoughtful way to respect the past while updating your property.
Take cues from the Germans and adopt Passive House principles in your renovation or extension. Also known as Passivhaus, the voluntary standard focuses on creating airtight and super-insulated buildings that require minimal energy for heating and cooling. The movement is gaining momentum in the UK and is a great way to combat soaring energy costs.
All homes are unique which is why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work when it comes to renovations and extensions – especially when sustainability is a priority. Improve the quality and sustainability of your project by working with a professional design team that can help bring your vision to life.
Where possible, opt for locally sourced materials to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. From locally quarried stone to timber sourced from sustainably managed forests, there’s often no need to import from abroad. Supporting local suppliers also strengthens your local economy and lends homegrown appeal to your project.
Don't forget about your outdoor spaces when thinking about creative ways to incorporate sustainable into your home improvement project. From native plants and water-efficient irrigation to eco-friendly hardscape materials, your landscaping reflects your home's sustainability.
To truly lean into a sustainable home renovation or extension project, consulting the experts is crucial. At CODA Bespoke, we have a team of dedicated architects, planners and designers who can guide you through the process and help expand, elaborate on and improve your sustainability ideas.
Ready to jumpstart your sustainable home renovation or extension project? Whether your vision is to transform a centuries-old heritage building into an energy-efficient home or breathe new life into an existing property, we specialise in creating luxurious spaces that aren’t afraid to take a creative approach to sustainability.
Take a look at some of our renovation and extension projects or call us on 0114 279 4931 to discuss your dream home.
Photo credit: Rayner Builders
Designed to control urban sprawl and protect the natural environment, green belts are found across the UK. They’re beloved public spaces but when it comes to development, restrictions can be tight.
Looking for information on how to secure planning permission on green belt land? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to navigate the red tape, and explore some different strategies to help your green belt development application get the green light.
Before we get started, let’s take a moment to explore the history of green belts in the UK. The term was coined by English social activist Octavia Hill in 1875, as part of her petition to save the Swiss Cottage Fields in Hampstead from development. While her campaign was unsuccessful, her philosophy of "open spaces for all” inspired the foundation of The National Trust in 1895.
Today, green belts continue to play an important role in preventing urban sprawl and preserving the picturesque British countryside. They represent one of the highest levels of protection within the national urban planning system and while this does make development challenging, it’s not impossible.
If you have a vision for green belt land, these pathways will help you navigate the process. Our goal? To create a solution that matches your development goals while respecting the green belt philosophy to protect the "life-enhancing virtues of pure earth, clean air and blue sky" that Miss Hill valued so much.
One of the most straightforward ways to develop green belt land is to remove it from the protected zone. Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), local planning authorities have the discretion to remove land from the green belt where "exceptional circumstances” exist.
For example, an “exceptional circumstance” may include a shortage of land for new homes. While promising, this pathway can be highly competitive. Success hinges on promoting your site as a smart and sustainable choice for development.
From centuries-old barns to abandoned grain silos, converting agricultural buildings can be a clever way to overcome green belt development restrictions. The demolition of agricultural buildings on green belt land is often prohibited. However, under Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order, residential conversions may be approved. With the right architectural insight on your side, even the most rundown pastoral structures can be reimagined as beautiful, functional homes.
Applying for planning permission from infill development angle is another option. Also known as backland development, the process describes the development of vacant or under-utilised land close to developed urban areas. The logic is to release land to developers without compromising the integrity of the green belt.
Infill development applications can be a great way to secure planning permission within designated green belts. However, the approval process can be highly subjective and is often at the discretion of local planning authorities.
For the best chance of success, your application should be thoughtful and sensitive to the unique needs of the community. It should protect the integrity of the green belt and respect the existing pattern of development in the area.
This approach calls on local authorities to consider “very special circumstances” when approving or denying green belt development applications. You’ll need to prove your project is unique and can only be realised on the specific site in question.
A shortage of housing land in the local area is one angle. But it’s not always enough to constitute "very special circumstances." Success is typically higher when the "very special circumstance" is something like the restoration of a heritage-listed building within a green belt area.
Paragraph 80 (formerly known as Paragraph 79) projects take advantage of an exemption clause in the NPPF. Also called the country house exemption clause, it helps push through proposals that would otherwise be refused and is especially useful when developing green belt land.
To qualify for approval, a project must be “of exceptional quality” and “truly outstanding or innovative”. The NPPF states it must reflect “the highest standards in architecture” and “help to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas”. The property must also “significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area.”
These types of builds are generally architect-designed with a luxurious feel. They champion living spaces that exist in harmony with the natural landscape and are often featured in publications like Grand Designs. For example, the conversion of Underhill House, a 300-year-old stone structure located in The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, into an eco-friendly Passivhaus was approved under the Paragraph 80 exemption.
In most cases, securing planning permission on green belt land is a complex process laced with hurdles. Approval often depends not only on building a strong case to convince local planning authorities, but also a deep understanding of local planning systems, politics and community dynamics. This is where it pays to enlist the help of an expert architectural practice.
At CODA Bespoke, we underpin every planning permission application with a commitment to protecting the British green belt network. We understand the delicate balance that exists between safeguarding green spaces, addressing the need for housing and helping clients create their dream homes.
Many of our projects are approved under the Paragraph 80 exemption. This requires an in-depth understanding of local planning systems, as well as a commitment to the highest standards of design and innovation.
Our in-house team of planning consultants work tirelessly to create convincing applications that showcase the exceptional qualities of every project. We also have a wealth of experience working closely with local councils and planning authorities, including a proactive approach to negotiations. It’s this commitment to both our clients and the British green belt network that helps us achieve a high level of success for green belt applications.
Ready to build? Contact us today to explore how we can help you secure planning permission for your green belt land project and create your dream home.