Watercolour concept illustration of a proposed contemporary house extension, with a glazed link connecting the original house to a new garden room
Concept artwork — proposed rear extension

We solve complex planning and design problems.

We help homeowners, self-builders, landowners and developers navigate planning and design — from the first feasibility review through to planning, technical design and delivery.

Our approach

Good design starts with understanding the constraints.

Every project is different, but they all begin with the same objective: understanding the site, identifying constraints and finding the opportunities that move it forward.

Whether you're extending your home, building a new house or assessing a site's development potential, our role is to provide clear advice and guide the project from feasibility through planning and technical design.

A hand marking up a technical drawing on tracing paper at a drafting table, surrounded by a notebook, scale ruler, material samples and a massing model, with daylight from a studio window
FORMA studio — reviewing drawings

House extensions, new homes and residential developments

Planning, technical design and consultant coordination

Projects across Milton Keynes and wider England

How it works

What happens when you contact us.

From your first conversation to a finished building, each step is designed to remove uncertainty.

01

Initial Discussion

Is my project even possible?

We begin by understanding your objectives, the site and any known constraints before discussing the most appropriate route forward.

You understand what's possible.
02

Feasibility

Is this realistic?

We assess planning policy, site context and design opportunities before developing an approach that balances ambition with deliverability.

You understand the constraints.
03

Design Development

What could this become?

Initial ideas are refined into coordinated proposals that respond to the site, planning requirements and your brief.

You have a proposal ready to refine.
04

Planning

Can this obtain permission?

Drawings and supporting information are prepared before the application is submitted and managed through the planning process.

Your application is professionally managed.
05

Technical Design

Can this actually be built?

Construction information, Building Regulations drawings and consultant coordination ensure the project is ready for construction.

Your project is ready for construction.
06

Construction Support

What happens after approval?

Where required, we continue supporting the project during construction, helping resolve design queries as they arise.

You're supported through to completion.

Every project is different, but a clear process helps remove uncertainty from the very beginning.

Every project begins differently.

Every project comes with different opportunities, constraints and ambitions. Explore the project type closest to yours to see how we can help.

Your Home
Watercolour illustration of a house with a black-framed glazed rear extension

House Extensions

Create additional space through carefully considered extensions that respond to your home, planning context and the way you live.

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Watercolour illustration of a loft conversion with a dormer window on a pitched roof

Loft Conversions

Convert unused roof space into a bright, practical room — designed around your home's structure, natural light and how you'll actually use it.

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Photography pending — completed new-build exterior

New Homes

Design a new home from the ground up, balancing site constraints, planning policy and the way you want to live for years to come.

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Land & Development
Watercolour aerial illustration of a small residential scheme set within its landscape

Residential Development

Assess a site's potential for multiple homes — balancing planning policy, layout, viability and phasing before committing to a scheme.

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Watercolour illustration of houses set within open land and mature trees

Land Development

Understand what a piece of land can support, from access and infrastructure to planning strategy and phased delivery.

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Complex Projects
Photography pending — a listed or conservation-area building

Listed Buildings & Conservation

Extend or adapt a listed building or a home within a conservation area, balancing your needs with its history and setting.

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Explore all project types →

Not sure where to start?

Not every project fits neatly into one category. Many projects involve planning strategy, technical design and consultant coordination. If you're unsure where to begin, we'll help identify the right route forward.

Book a consultation

Selected projects.

Every project responds to a different site, client and set of planning constraints. These examples show how thoughtful design and careful coordination help move projects forward.

Photography pending — real project photograph required (Tier 1 only)
House ExtensionPlanning ApprovedWoburn Sands

Reimagining a Victorian Family Home

A contemporary rear extension designed to create open-plan living while respecting the proportions of the original house, resolving a tight rear boundary and securing planning permission within a sensitive streetscape.

View project →
Photography pending — real project photograph required (Tier 1 only)
Residential DevelopmentOutline ApprovedWavendon

A Small Residential Development in Wavendon

A small residential scheme for a private developer, balancing planning policy, layout and viability to deliver additional homes within a sensitive rural setting.

View project →
Photography pending — real project photograph required (Tier 1 only)
Listed BuildingPlanning ApprovedWarwick

Extending a Listed Building in Warwick

Extending a listed building within a conservation area, balancing modern living requirements with strict heritage constraints and a lengthy planning consultation process.

View project →
View our complete project archive →

Knowledge Centre.

Clear guidance on planning, design and residential development, written to help you make informed decisions before your project begins.

Home Extensions

Do you need planning permission for an extension?

Many single-storey rear and side extensions fall under Permitted Development, but conservation areas, listed buildings and certain roof or boundary conditions can remove that right — here's how to check before you start.

6 min read · Updated May 2026
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Planning

Planning Permission vs Permitted Development: what's the difference?

Permitted Development lets you build without a full application, provided you stay within set limits on height, depth and materials. Planning Permission is required once a project exceeds them.

5 min read · Updated May 2026
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Planning

How long does a planning application take?

Most householder applications are decided within eight weeks, but validation delays, neighbour consultations and committee referrals can extend that — here's a realistic timeline.

4 min read · Updated May 2026
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Browse the Knowledge Centre →

Let's discuss your project.

Whether you're exploring an extension, a new home or the potential of a development site, an initial conversation helps identify the most appropriate route forward.

Book a consultation Send an email →

Initial conversations are focused on understanding your project and identifying the most appropriate way forward.