Design & Planning · East London & Essex
Get the start right, and the rest gets easier.
Design and planning services across East London and Essex — surveys, drawings, planning submissions and Building Control — handled properly before a single brick gets laid.
- Over 40 years' experience
- One contractor, design to build
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- A limited number of projects at a time
Who this is for
The stage everyone underestimates.
A weak survey, a planning application submitted without proper local knowledge, or a design that looks fine on paper but doesn't account for your actual site — any of these can cost far more to fix later than they would have cost to get right at the start.
Design & Planning suits anyone at the very beginning of a project, whether that's a homeowner with a rough idea or a building consultant who needs the groundwork done properly before construction begins.
What's included
Everything before the build starts.
- Free initial consultation
- Site surveys
- Design plans and drawings
- Planning submissions to the local authority
- Building Control preparation and liaison
- Feasibility advice, including an honest view on what won't work
How we work
From idea to approval — and ready to build.
We start with a free, no-obligation consultation to understand what you're trying to achieve, followed by a proper site survey — not a desk-based guess. From there we produce design plans suited to your actual property, prepare and submit the planning application, and manage the Building Control process.
Because we also build, our designs are shaped by what's realistic to construct — not just what looks good on a drawing.
Design-led projects
Where the planning stage shaped everything.
Why Metro
A design grounded in what's buildable.
Most design and planning work is done by an architect with no responsibility for what happens once building starts. That can mean a design that's beautiful on paper and expensive or impractical to actually build.
Because the team that designs your project at Metro is the same team that builds it, the design is grounded in what's genuinely achievable from day one.
Common questions
Design & planning questions, answered.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes — free and no-obligation, with no pressure to continue if it's not the right fit.
Do you handle the planning submission, or just the design?
We handle both — design, submission, and the Building Control process that follows.
Can I use your design and planning service without committing to Metro for the build?
Most clients carry through to the build with us, since that's where the continuity pays off — but talk to us about your situation.
How long does planning permission typically take?
It varies by local authority and project type — we'll give you a realistic estimate once we know your specifics.
What if my project doesn't need full planning permission?
We'll tell you honestly if it falls under permitted development, rather than running you through a process you don't need.
Can you advise on feasibility before we commit to anything?
Yes — that's part of this stage. We'd rather tell you early if something isn't workable than let you find out later.
Start with a proper plan
Start with a proper plan.
Book a free consultation and site survey. We'll tell you honestly what's possible before anything else happens.