Spatial Coordination: From Concept to Planning
Develop detailed spatial arrangements, coordinate with engineers, and prepare comprehensive planning submissions. This stage transforms your concept into buildable, submittable proposals.
Coordination Tasks
4 key areas to complete
⏱️ Stage 3 typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete
Your Spatial Coordination Checklist
Four critical tasks to transform your concept into detailed, coordinated proposals ready for planning submission.
Develop Detailed Drawings
Create accurate, dimensioned drawings showing all spatial relationships
Action:
Work with your architect to produce detailed floor plans, elevations, and sections at 1:100 scale.
💡 Planning officers need to understand exactly what you're proposing - clarity prevents delays
Coordinate Structural Elements
Integrate structural engineering requirements into the design
Action:
Review structural calculations, beam sizes, and foundation requirements with your structural engineer.
💡 Structural changes at this stage are much cheaper than during construction
Prepare Planning Submission
Compile all required documents and drawings for planning application
Action:
Gather planning drawings, design & access statement, and all supporting documents.
💡 Complete applications process 30% faster than incomplete submissions
Secure Statutory Approvals
Obtain any required pre-application advice or consultation responses
Action:
Submit pre-application enquiry if complex. Coordinate with Thames Water, highways, etc.
💡 Pre-app advice costs £300-600 but prevents £8,000+ planning appeals
Key Coordination Priorities
Focus on these four critical areas to ensure your design works functionally, technically, and legally.
Room Relationships
How spaces connect and flow together
- Circulation routes between existing and new spaces
- Natural light distribution throughout
- Privacy and acoustic separation
- Views and outlook from each room
Technical Coordination
Integration of structure, services, and building fabric
- Structural beam locations and sizes
- Heating, plumbing, and electrical routes
- Window and door opening coordination
- Insulation and ventilation strategy
Planning Compliance
Ensuring design meets planning policy requirements
- Daylight/sunlight impact assessments
- Privacy and overlooking compliance
- Materials and design quality standards
- Sustainable design requirements
Construction Feasibility
Practical buildability and access considerations
- Construction sequence and phasing
- Material delivery and storage
- Scaffold and access requirements
- Temporary works and protection
Why Proper Coordination is Critical
Taking time to coordinate properly at this stage prevents expensive problems and delays later.
Prevents Construction Problems
Proper coordination identifies clashes before they become expensive site issues.
Cost of poor coordination: Poor coordination causes 60% of construction delays and adds £5,000-£15,000 in costs.
Maximizes Space Efficiency
Careful spatial planning gets the most usable space from your available area.
Cost of poor coordination: Good spatial design can add 15-20% more usable space without increasing footprint.
Improves Planning Success
Well-coordinated drawings show professionalism and reduce planning officer queries.
Cost of poor coordination: Complete, coordinated submissions have 40% fewer information requests.
Future-Proofs Your Investment
Proper coordination considers future adaptability and maintenance access.
Cost of poor coordination: Well-coordinated designs require 50% fewer modifications during construction.
The Coordination Investment
Spending an extra 2-3 weeks on thorough coordination at Stage 3 typically saves 6-12 weeks of delays and £8,000-£20,000 in construction problems. It's one of the best investments in your project.
Planning Submission Requirements
Complete checklist of everything you'll need for your London planning application.
Essential Drawings
Included in architect's fee- Location plan (1:1250 scale)
- Site plan showing proposal (1:500 or 1:200)
- Existing and proposed floor plans (1:100)
- Existing and proposed elevations (1:100)
- Existing and proposed sections (1:100)
Supporting Documents
£500-£2,000 depending on complexity- Design and Access Statement
- Planning Statement (if required)
- Heritage Statement (if conservation area/listed)
- Daylight/Sunlight Assessment (if required)
Specialist Reports
£800-£3,000 for specialist reports- Structural calculations summary
- Energy/Sustainability Statement
- Tree Survey (if trees affected)
- Transport Statement (if access changes)
Application Fees
Set by government/council- Householder application: £206
- Full planning application: £462
- Prior approval application: £96
- Pre-application advice: £180-£600
Total Planning Costs
Expect to budget £2,000-£6,000 total for planning submission costs including drawings, reports, and fees. Complex sites or conservation areas may require additional specialist reports.
London Planning Timeline
Understanding the planning process timeline helps you plan the next stages of your project.
Pre-Application
4-6 weeks
Optional but recommended for complex proposals
Key Activities:
Application Submission
1-2 weeks prep
Compile and submit all required documents
Key Activities:
Statutory Consultation
8 weeks
Public consultation and officer assessment
Key Activities:
Decision
1-2 weeks
Planning committee or delegated decision
Key Activities:
Planning Timeline Reality
While the statutory period is 8 weeks, most applications take 10-14 weeks due to information requests, consultation responses, and officer workload. Plan accordingly and submit early if you have a project deadline.
Common London Coordination Challenges
Specific issues you'll encounter in London's dense urban environment and how to address them.
Daylight and Rights to Light
Dense urban environment creates complex daylight challenges
💰 Typical cost: Daylight assessment: £1,500-£3,500
Solutions:
- BRE daylight/sunlight analysis may be required
- Consider neighbor impact early in design
- Use roof lights and light wells strategically
- Document existing light levels as baseline
Party Wall Coordination
Shared walls require careful structural coordination
💰 Typical cost: Party wall procedures: £2,000-£5,000
Solutions:
- Early party wall surveyor appointment
- Coordinate structural design with PW requirements
- Plan construction sequence around PW procedures
- Budget for potential neighbor upgrades
Access and Construction Logistics
Limited access complicates construction coordination
💰 Typical cost: Crane hire: £800-£1,500 per day
Solutions:
- Plan material deliveries and storage
- Consider crane and scaffold requirements
- Coordinate with neighbors for access
- Design for hand-portable materials where needed
Services and Utilities Coordination
Complex existing services require careful integration
💰 Typical cost: Utility surveys: £500-£1,500
Solutions:
- Full utility survey before detailed design
- Early coordination with utility companies
- Plan new service routes carefully
- Consider impact on neighbor services
Ready for Stage 4?
With planning submitted or approved, it's time to develop technical drawings for building regulations and construction.
Next: Stage 4 - Technical Design