TaC Architects

TaC Architects Full architectural services in Spalding and surrounding villages of South Holland.

A small change to Biodiversity Net Gain could make a real difference to smaller development sites.Since 6 August 2026, p...
31/08/2026

A small change to Biodiversity Net Gain could make a real difference to smaller development sites.

Since 6 August 2026, planning applications made on or after that date for development sites of 0.2 hectares or less are exempt from mandatory BNG, provided the development does not affect priority habitat on the site. The site area is assessed using the red-line boundary.

That matters because even quite modest residential schemes could previously require a biodiversity metric and a route to achieving the statutory 10% gain unless another exemption applied.

This does not mean biodiversity can simply be ignored. Existing habitats, trees, hedgerows, protected species and relevant planning policy can still be important. But for suitable smaller sites, the new exemption may remove a significant layer of assessment and administration.

It is another reason why the red-line boundary and existing site conditions should be considered carefully at the very start of a project rather than after a layout has been drawn.

Images are illustrative.

Frankfurt: rebuilding the pastFrankfurt is probably best known for its modern skyline, but the part of the city that int...
28/08/2026

Frankfurt: rebuilding the past

Frankfurt is probably best known for its modern skyline, but the part of the city that interested me most architecturally was much older — or, perhaps more accurately, looked much older.

Much of Frankfurt’s historic centre was destroyed during the Second World War. Today, the area between the cathedral and Römerberg is a fascinating mixture of reconstruction and contemporary architecture. The New Old Town, completed in 2018, comprises 35 buildings: 15 faithful historical reconstructions and 20 new buildings.

It raises an interesting architectural question: does the value of a historic townscape lie solely in the age and authenticity of individual buildings, or can recreating the streets, squares, proportions and relationships between them have architectural value in its own right?

Walking through it, what struck me was the sense of enclosure, human scale and the way the buildings work together to create a place rather than simply a collection of individual façades.

Above it all sits St Bartholomew’s Cathedral, its late-Gothic tower rising almost 95 metres above the old town — a reminder that landmark architecture was shaping Frankfurt’s skyline long before the modern towers arrived.

Reconstruction will always provoke debate about authenticity, but Frankfurt is a fascinating example of a city deliberately rebuilding part of its lost urban fabric.

As architects, we often focus on individual buildings. Frankfurt is a good reminder that successful places are just as much about the spaces between them.

The National Planning Policy Framework was updated on 17 August 2026.For landowners, developers and anyone considering a...
26/08/2026

The National Planning Policy Framework was updated on 17 August 2026.

For landowners, developers and anyone considering a planning application, the key question isn’t simply what changed — it’s whether those changes improve the prospects for your particular site.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be working through the new framework and looking at what it means in practice for sites across Lincolnshire and beyond.

If you own land or are considering a planning application, this is a good time to reassess its potential.

Get in touch if you’d like us to review a site or project.

A FAMILY HOLIDAY…WITH AN ARCHITECT’S EYEFrankfurt • Munich • BerlinA family holiday in Germany was never going to pass w...
13/08/2026

A FAMILY HOLIDAY…
WITH AN ARCHITECT’S EYE

Frankfurt • Munich • Berlin

A family holiday in Germany was never going to pass without me spending rather too much time looking at the architecture.

We visited Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin — three very different cities, each with its own architectural character, history and approach to old and new.

Along the way, I took far too many photographs.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of the architectural highlights from the trip: from reconstructed historic streets and grand civic buildings to modern landmarks and some very confident contemporary architecture.

What interested me most was how differently each city responds to its past — and how that continues to shape the places they are today.

We’ll start with Frankfurt.

Do all the drawings agree?It sounds like a simple question, but inconsistencies between plans, elevations, sections, con...
11/08/2026

Do all the drawings agree?

It sounds like a simple question, but inconsistencies between plans, elevations, sections, construction details and specifications can cause real problems once a project reaches site.

A window moved on one drawing but not another, a structural opening that does not match the architectural layout, drainage running through a foundation, or an energy specification that has not been reflected in the construction detail can all lead to queries, delays and potentially expensive changes.

Good technical design is therefore about more than producing individual drawings. It is about making sure the whole information set works together.

At TaC Architects, we coordinate the architectural design with Building Regulations information, structural requirements, drainage and energy performance so that everyone is working from the same joined-up design.

The clearer the information is before construction starts, the easier it is for builders to price accurately, Building Control to review the work and decisions to be made confidently on site.

Planning a project? Make sure the drawings tell the same story before they reach the builder.

Planning permission granted?That does not always mean work can start straight away.Many planning permissions include con...
30/07/2026

Planning permission granted?

That does not always mean work can start straight away.

Many planning permissions include conditions that must be dealt with before construction begins. These may relate to drainage, ecology, contamination, materials, access, landscaping, construction details or other project-specific matters.

Some conditions are marked as pre-commencement conditions. Where that applies, the required information must be submitted and formally approved before the relevant work starts.

Starting too early can create avoidable problems, including delays, enforcement risk and difficulty proving that the development has commenced lawfully.

The important point is to read the decision notice carefully, identify which conditions apply at each stage and allow enough time for the necessary submissions to be prepared and determined.

At TaC Architects, we can review planning conditions, prepare the required drawings and supporting information, and coordinate discharge applications before work begins.

Permission granted? The next step is making sure the conditions are properly dealt with.

Thinking about buying land for development?The size of the site is only part of the story.Access, neighbouring propertie...
28/07/2026

Thinking about buying land for development?

The size of the site is only part of the story.

Access, neighbouring properties, flood risk, drainage, trees, ecology, services and planning policy can all affect how much of the land is genuinely developable—and what type of scheme is likely to succeed.

A site that looks generous on paper may have a much smaller workable area once visibility splays, drainage routes, habitat buffers, privacy distances and other constraints are properly considered.

That is why early feasibility work matters. A clear review before making an offer can help you understand the risks, test a realistic layout and avoid pricing the opportunity on assumptions that may not hold up.

At TaC Architects, we assess the site as a whole before exploring what it could accommodate. Good development starts with understanding the constraints, not ignoring them.

Considering buying land or assessing a potential development site? An early site review can help you make a more informed decision.

lanning permission and Building Regulations are often confused, but they deal with different parts of a project.Planning...
23/07/2026

lanning permission and Building Regulations are often confused, but they deal with different parts of a project.

Planning permission considers the bigger picture: what you are building, how it will look, how it relates to neighbouring properties and whether it is appropriate for the site and its surroundings.

Building Regulations focus on how the work is designed and constructed. They cover matters such as structure, fire safety, ventilation, energy efficiency and construction standards.

Many extensions, alterations and new homes require both approvals, but the exact route depends on the property and the work proposed. Some projects may also involve permitted development, listed building consent, conservation area controls, drainage approvals, Party Wall procedures or other specialist requirements.

Understanding the approval route early can prevent delays, redesign and unnecessary cost later.

At TaC Architects, we can help identify which approvals are likely to be required and guide your project through the planning and technical design stages.

Planning changes to your home? Start by making sure you are following the right approval route.

Thinking about extending your home?Before adding more floor area, it is worth asking whether the space you already have ...
21/07/2026

Thinking about extending your home?

Before adding more floor area, it is worth asking whether the space you already have could work harder.

Awkward circulation, poorly positioned doors, unused corners and rooms that no longer suit everyday life can make a home feel smaller than it really is. Sometimes, reorganising the existing layout can improve the sense of space, create better connections and provide the storage or flexibility that is currently missing.

An extension may still be the right solution, but it should respond to a clearly identified need rather than simply adding another room.

At TaC Architects, we look at how the whole home works before deciding where, and how much, to extend. Good design is not always about making a house bigger. It is about making every part of it more useful.

Planning changes to your home? A considered layout is the best place to start.

Here is the plain text for the **“Best Technology”** post:The best technology in a home is often the one you don’t notic...
09/07/2026

Here is the plain text for the **“Best Technology”** post:

The best technology in a home is often the one you don’t notice.

Smart design is not about filling a home with gadgets. It is about making the house work better, more comfortably and more efficiently — without everything feeling obvious or intrusive.

Some of the best features are almost invisible.

Discreet ventilation that keeps the air fresh.
Underfloor heating that frees up wall space.
Carefully planned lighting that changes the mood of a room.
Integrated storage that keeps daily life calmer.
Charging points positioned where they are actually useful.
Smart controls that quietly make the home easier to manage.

Good technology should support the way you live, not dominate the space.

When it is planned early, it can be built into the design properly — hidden in the right places, coordinated with the layout and made to feel seamless.

At TaC Architects, we think about the practical details as well as the big design ideas, helping create homes that are comfortable, efficient and easy to live in.

Smart design. Seamless living.

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Spalding
Spalding
PE113JA

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