Architects in Chelsea
Chelsea is nestled in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in West London. This prime central area of the city sits on the north bank of the River Thames; bordered by Fulham to the west, Knightsbridge and South Kensington to the north and Belgravia to the east.
Based three miles away in Westbourne Green, MATA Architects is a RIBA chartered architecture practice specialising in residential, commercial and interior design. We also undertake renovative work on sensitive sites, including conservation areas and listed properties.
Chelsea’s highly fashionable neighbourhood harbours many fine examples of Victorian and Georgian architecture. This multicultural hub holds streets of grand, stucco-fronted properties, glamorous boutiques/amenities along King’s Road, and stunning green communal spaces. All these combine the characteristics of an affluent town location with the buzz and convenience of city-centre living.
We have been designing innovative architecture since 2015. Our approach offers practical and creative flair that puts the client’s home design aspirations at the very heart of our business. Collaborating with you at every stage of the process, we bring a wealth of knowledge from every corner of the design profession to help turn your ideas into iconic and beautifully crafted spaces.
If you wish to speak to a Chelsea architect, book your initial no-obligation consultation with us to discuss your home extension project and we’ll help answer any of your questions.
Planning Applications in Chelsea
We can help you understand more about how planning permissions are processed and what to do after submitting your planning application. Further advice on planning permissions in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is available here.
How to get planning permission in a conservation area in Chelsea
Planning permission is formal permission from a local authority for the alteration or erection of buildings. It can be granted, based on certain conditions being met, or refused.
Conservation areas protect an area’s special architectural and historic interest. Planning applications are considered in regard to conservation policies as local authorities must take into account the need to preserve or enhance the area when deciding whether to grant planning permission.
Applying for planning permission in a Conservation Area (CA) requires more detailed supporting information than an equivalent application outside of a CA.
A robust and carefully considered proposal that demonstrates an awareness and response to local policy and design guidance will stand a much greater chance of success.
The Kensington & Chelsea Conservation Area audits and planning guides are available here. These guides are a material consideration at the planning stage and provide some direction on what is and isn’t possible in terms of design alterations.
There are 38 designated conservation areas in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea that cover roughly 70% of the area. These areas include Abingdon, Chelsea Riverside, Earl’s Court, Holland, Notting Dale, Pembridge, Queen’s Gate, Redcliffe, St. Helen’s & Royal Hospital, etc.
Check if your property is located within a conservation area on the CA search page.
How to make a planning application in Chelsea
It is your responsibility to decide whether or not planning permission is required and submitting an application where relevant.
Information on online planning applications, the documents you will need, validation checklists and fees for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea are available here.
Need expert advice on planning permission? With a proven track record and a 100% success rate at planning, let us navigate the planning process for you.
As experts in the field, we know how to manage risk and identify opportunities that pave the way to a successful planning application. Find out more.
Are there fees for submitting planning applications in Chelsea?
The local authority fee for a Householder planning application is £206.
Fees are determined by local authorities on the assessment of a planning application and the scale and nature of your proposed development.
You’ll also need to allow for the fees of an architect, other consultants and specialist surveys. Read more about the costs involved here.
A downloadable guide on fees for planning applications is available here. There is also a free-to-use planning fee calculator.
How long does a planning decision take?
Householder applications usually take between eight to nine weeks to be determined by the local authority.
Read our more in-depth guide on how long it takes to be granted planning permission.
What happens after a planning decision is made?
Provided that no complications arise while reviewing your application, your local authority will email/post a decision notice to you.
If applying online, you can check the status of your application through the council’s planning application search, or wait until you or your agent receive the decision by post.
How long does planning permission last?
By law, you usually have three years from the time of approval to implement planning permission and begin development. If you haven’t started any planned works within the set timeframe, your application will be considered ‘expired’. At this point, the planning permission is no longer valid and you will likely need to reapply.
Read our full guide on planning permission expiry here.
What can I do if my planning application is refused?
If your planning application is rejected or you are not satisfied with the conditions of your planning permission, you have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
The appeal will be considered by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. While most appeals are handled in writing, some are decided by a hearing and some after a public inquiry.
You can search for appeals in the RBKC appeal search.
What are the most common reasons for invalid planning applications?
1) No Ordnance Survey Map (OS Map)
2) Incorrect or no fee
3) Failure to send an appropriate flood risk assessment
4) Failure to send an appropriate design and access statement
5) Failure to send a construction method statement for basement and/or light well excavation
Do I need planning permission for an extension?
It is important to distinguish between an extension that necessitates a detailed planning application and one that falls under Permitted Development (PD).
If your planned works fall under the former category you do not need explicit permission from the local authority and a planning application will not be necessary.
In this case, though, we would recommend that a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development (CLOPUD) is sought from the local authority in order to create a formal record of the works and their legitimacy.
Read our guide on further planning & regulations and Article 4 directions.
How to get listed building consent in Chelsea
A listed building is a building that has been placed on the Statutory List of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
Buildings on this list may not be demolished, extended or altered without listed building consent.
Applying for listed building consent requires yet more detailed supporting information than an equivalent application for a non-listed building.
To increase the chances of a successful application, rigorous research and documentation of the property’s historical significance are required from the outset and this would form a Heritage Statement in support of the application.
In developing our design proposals for a listed building, we will identify and catalogue every aspect of the scheme that impacts the building. Some aspects will have a positive impact on the historic nature of the property (such as reinstating lost or damaged historic features) whilst others will be deemed to have a negative impact (such as erosion of the original cellular plan form by opening up spaces).
This catalogue of positive and negative impacts forms the backbone of a Heritage Impact Assessment that will also support the application for planning & listed building consent.
Ultimately, this is a fine-tuned balancing act and the aim of the game is to demonstrate that, whilst there may be some negative impacts, these are outweighed by more positive ones so that on balance the scheme can be viewed as positive.
We will often work with specialist heritage consultants to identify opportunities and constraints and develop proposals that balance and respond to these.
There are over 4,000 listed buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, of which 70% are in a conservation area. Search the Historic England listed register to find listed buildings near you.
Learn more about our listed building consent services here.
Where can I see examples of similar planning applications in Chelsea?
To search for planning applications submitted in your area, visit the RBKC application search here.
We begin every project with a ‘Project Discovery’ stage – an architectural feasibility service. We research planning history and precedent in the local area, coupled with relevant local planning policy and design guides to identify constraints and opportunities.
We also provide you with the tools you need to plan and embark on a successful project, offering informed opinions on your ideas and guidance on project scope, priorities and budget.
Our Architectural Services in Chelsea
Planning Permission
With a proven track record and a 100% success rate at planning, let MATA Architects navigate the planning process for you.
Home Extensions
We are experienced in designing home extensions in all forms and sizes including single storey, two storey, roof and basement.
Interior Design
Let us take you on a visual journey through your future home. We offer an optional full interior design service or bespoke kitchen/joinery.
Home Improvement and Renovation
Sometimes the way to improve our home isn’t creating more space, just better space.
Feasibility Studies
Get an informed opinion on your ideas and gain clarity on design direction and budget.
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Book a free consultation
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We’ll listen to your ideas and give you our informed opinion
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We’ll tailor a strategy and scope of service to suit your needs
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You’ll receive an initial project brief and a clear mapping out of the next steps, together with our fee proposal
Frequently Asked Questions
To get started, here are some of the more frequent questions clients’ have at the initial exploratory stages
Can I meet with you initially at no cost?
You can book a free 45-minute consultation in our studio or via zoom. We’ll discuss your project and answer your questions face to face. Make a booking here.
Following this conversation, if you like the idea of working with us and feel we’d be a good fit for your project, we are happy to offer a follow up meeting at your home at no cost.
I don’t exactly know what I want to build yet? How or where do we begin?
It begins with a conversation. During our initial phone consultation, we’ll ask probing questions of your brief to help assess it’s viability.
The next step involves a diagnostic stage we call ‘Project Discovery’ (RIBA Work Stages 0-1 / Feasibility). We'll address your brief through the exploration of a number of alternative sketch proposals and assess the implications of each (time / cost / risk etc).
Beyond this we can tailor our scope of architectural services to suit your specific requirements and budget.
Whether you engage us for a full service from feasibility to completion or, at first, just for the ‘Project Discovery’ (more on that soon), you are only ever committed to the current work stage. So, you can (and we’d encourage you to) start small with a discrete piece of work to help figure out the extent of the project and then add to the scope of service as suits your needs and budget.
This initial piece of work can also be a good way to dip your toe into the architectural process and gauge what it’s like to work with us before committing to a longer-term working relationship.
How will you ensure we stick to my budget?
Sticking to budget is critical. One of the common pitfalls of a construction project is losing control of the budget (or not having one in the first place).
To keep a handle on costs from the outset, our process involves a cycle of designing, communicating and costing. We do this by:
- We will talk about costs early and often. ‘Cost’ is not a dirty word.
- We’ll be upfront with you and make you aware of choices that are likely to increase the budget, and provide cost effective alternatives to these.
- Early involvement of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) to assist with cost control. This involvement could range from a full service to a discrete piece of work in the form of an Initial Cost Model (at the end of Concept Design Stage) to help forecast cost and interrogate in detail where the money is being spent, which in turn helps identify opportunities for savings.
- Strict vetting of contractors to ensure quality, reliability and value for money.
How long does a typical residential project take?
A range of factors impact timeframes. This includes project complexity, speed of client feedback and decisions and local authority approvals. To give you a broad idea allow for a:-
- Simple project: 4-6 months for design and 4-6 months on site.
- Complex renovation or build: 6-9 months for design and 9-12 months on site.
- Planning approval: if your project requires planning approval add 2 months to the above timescales.
Can you tell me how you structure your fees and what they are?
Like all professional services, architectural fees are not cheap (but neither is getting the design wrong, by the way). However, it might help to view them as an investment.
That said, we are cost conscious at every step of the way. Once the project scope is defined at the start of the journey, we’ll fix our fees and prepare a schedule of invoicing so that you know exactly what you are paying and when. Everything is transparent and clear.
In addition to our design process, working with us also provides access to our years of accumulated knowledge and experience. You will benefit from our network of specialist consultants, industry suppliers and our team’s ability to guide you through the process, avoiding the common pitfalls of construction to deliver life-enhancing architecture.
We offer multiple service tiers to accommodate different budgets and goals:
‘Project Discovery’ / (RIBA Stages 0-1) (from £1,500 +VAT)
Get an informed opinion on your ideas and gain clarity on design direction and budget.
We approach this early-stage work as a ‘diagnostic’ stage. We’ll ask probing questions of your brief and budget and of your underlying assumptions. We’ll analyse your property and/ or site in detail to reveal constraints and opportunities. Once these have been identified we can begin to prescribe solutions. This includes:
- Review relevant local design guides, planning policy and comparable planning applications in order to build up a picture of precedent.
- Carry out detailed analysis of the site and immediate environment to assess opportunities and constraints.
- Floor plans and sketches illustrating options.
- A 1 hour meeting in your home to discuss the project.
- A 2 hour workshop in our studio or via zoom (you choose).
- A written brief outlining the opportunities, risk, budget and project timeframe.
- Guidance on next steps, additional consultants and approvals required.
‘Project Planning’ / (RIBA Stages 0-3) (from £7,500 +VAT)
We’ll take you up to and including submission of a detailed planning application, including liaising with the local authority during the running of the application and up to it’s determination.
Building on the work and our conclusions from the Project Discovery we’ll develop proposals with you, communicating the evolving design clearly through 3D visuals and 2D drawings so that you’re empowered to make the best decisions. In working toward the application for planning approval, we’ll hold a series of fortnightly workshops with you (via zoom or in our studio) to review the design collaboratively and make decisions together, taking into account key aspects such as cost, program and risk in addition to functionality and aesthetic considerations.
This tier of service will suit those who want help in achieving the best possible outcome at planning but are happy to go it alone from there.
You always have the option of retaining us for the later stages of your project.
Full Service / (RIBA Stages 0-6)
Typically, our clients choose this service tier when they want our support from inception to the day they move in. We provide a full design service, alongside project management and an optional interior design service.
Good design takes time to mature. It doesn’t happen in a single eureka moment! Rather a series of steps, much like evolution, each one refining and improving on the last.
You’ll benefit from us on board as project managers throughout, contract administrators on site and maximum design time and thinking from our team.
This service is best suited to renovations, extensions or new builds where you want to invest time in the design to get it just right and create the perfect outcome borne out of obsessive attention given to every little detail. Just how we like it. Chat to us to discuss costs.
For all of our tiered services, take advantage of the complimentary free consultation to get a clear and simple fee guide for your project.
Do you have a minimum construction budget you will work with for a full service?
Due to the bespoke nature of our process, we typically work with homeowners with a minimum Project Budget of £250,00 at their disposal.
Have another question you'd like to ask?
Feel free to get in touch via our contact form or give us a call on 02037948128
Project Planning
(RIBA Stages 0-3)Everything in the Project Discovery and:
+ Developed proposals through 3D visuals and 2D drawings.
+ Fornightly design development workshops in our studio or via Zoom (you choose).
+ Drawing pack and information for a planning application.
+ Submit and manage the planning application including liasing with the planners up to determination of the application.
Full Service
(RIBA Stages 0-6)- Typically, our clients choose this service tier when they want our support from inception to the day they move in.
- This service is best suited to homeowners that want to invest time in the design, retain full control over all of the details and get it just right. A life enhancing home you’ll never want to leave.
- We provide a full design service, alongside project management and an optional interior design service.
- Get in touch.
Why We Love Architecture In Chelsea
This part of the Royal Borough is often described as a Victorian-era Citadel. Chelsea is home to some outstanding examples of Victorian and Georgian properties, including a “fashionista-scene” that has attracted many artists and British influencers throughout its history.
Some of Chelsea’s architecturally significant buildings include:
Royal Hospital Chelsea
The retirement and nursing home was founded by King Charles II in 1682 as a place of refuge for army veterans. It is one of Chelsea’s architectural gems and a Grade I listed heritage site. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The architectural style is classified as Palladian, Renaissance and Baroque. Its layout with gravel walk, lawns and statues is English. It was constructed to have a similar appearance to Les Invalides in Paris, a hospital built by King Louis XIV in 1670. Whilst the buildings were in construction, it was originally intended to house 412 veterans and their officers around Figure Court. It was realised that the space would be insufficient and Wren added two further quadrangles to his design – now called Light Horse Court and College Court.
The Tower House
The Tower House is a late-Victorian, privately-owned townhouse in the Holland Park district of Kensington and Chelsea. Designated a Grade I listed building in 1949, it was built and designed by the architect William Burges between 1875 and 1881. The townhouse was inspired by the French Gothic Revival domestic architecture of the thirteenth century. The house is built of red brick, with Bath stone dressings and green roof slates from Cumbria, and has a distinctive cylindrical tower and conical roof.
Chelsea Bridge
Chelsea Bridge is a suspension bridge over the River Thames, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank. Designed by the architect Thomas Page, this Grade II listed heritage structure is considered architecturally significant due to being an extremely rare example of a self-anchored suspension bridge. Initially called the Victoria Bridge, the bridge officially opened in 1858. The bridge was narrow and structurally unsound, leading the authorities to rename it Chelsea Bridge to avoid the Royal Family’s association with a potential collapse. In 1926, it was proposed that the old bridge be renovated due to the increased volume of traffic from population growth, and the introduction of the automobile. It was demolished during 1934–37 and replaced by the current structure, which opened in 1937.
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