Butterflies, Brickwork & Biodiversity: Why Building in Windsor Just Got More Interesting

Chris Dale • April 23, 2025

Butterflies, Brickwork & Biodiversity: Why Building in Windsor Just Got More Interesting

If you’ve ever tried to extend your kitchen in Windsor and been met with more red tape than a royal ribbon-cutting, you’ll know this area isn’t exactly straightforward when it comes to building projects. Listed buildings, conservation areas, green belt, flood plains—and now, just to keep us all on our toes—biodiversity net gain. Yes, that’s right. The butterflies are now part of the planning process.


And we’re absolutely here for it.


We’re a small, design-obsessed architectural practice in Windsor, and we love a challenge. If your project comes with layers of complexity, maybe a 300-year-old wall or a site that’s prone to the odd flood, then you’re speaking our language. We’ve spent years navigating the quirks of this patch of Berkshire, and we know how to make the tricky stuff feel like the exciting stuff.


So if you’re thinking of building, extending or reimagining your home (or even your business), let’s talk about why now is actually a brilliant time to get going—and how the new planning rules might just be the thing that pushes your project from good to gorgeous.



What on earth is Biodiversity Net Gain?


Let’s start with the buzzword: Biodiversity Net Gain, or BNG to those in the know. As of 2024, new developments in England (yes, even the small ones!) have to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before.


In simple terms, if you knock down a shed and build a garden office, you might also need to give something back to nature—think wildflower beds, hedgehog highways, green roofs, bird boxes, ponds… that kind of thing. And the aim is not just to replace what was lost, but to increase biodiversity by at least 10%.


The government has officially asked us all to get a little greener—and in a town as leafy and heritage-laden as Windsor, that’s actually a lovely thing.



What does that mean for your dream extension?


Well, don’t panic. You’re not going to have to turn your back garden into a nature reserve. But it does mean the design process now includes a bit more imagination and a lot more collaboration with nature.

For us, it’s like being handed a new palette of materials—only this time the materials are living, breathing, and occasionally fluttering.

We might be talking about:


  • Planting native species in your landscaping (the kind the bees actually like)
  • Installing green roofs that soak up rain and look brilliant from above
  • Creating little corridors for wildlife to move through (so the hedgehogs can get to their Friday night pub, presumably)
  • Using permeable surfaces to reduce flood risk while still looking sharp


It’s a challenge, yes. But it’s also an opportunity to make every project that bit more thoughtful—and beautiful.


Why this is actually good news for Windsor


Let’s be honest—this area is full of hoops to jump through when it comes to planning. But BNG actually fits in quite nicely with the way we already work.


Here’s why:


  1. We already love working with heritage – Listed buildings don’t scare us. We know how to celebrate old features while sneaking in modern comforts and wow-factor spaces.
  2. We’ve got the green stuff down – With years of experience building in the green belt and flood-prone zones, we’re no strangers to weaving nature into the design.
  3. We believe in better – Whether it’s your forever home or your first leap onto the property ladder, we think good design should improve everything it touches: the lives inside the building, the neighbourhood it sits in, and now—the environment too.


And let’s not forget—Windsor is special. We’ve got a town full of character, history, and people who genuinely care about where they live. So making things just a little bit wilder, greener, and more alive? It feels like exactly the right direction.



But isn’t this going to make things harder?


Well… maybe a little.


You will need to work with someone who understands the new rules and can guide you through them without the process feeling like an uphill battle with a clipboard-wielding bureaucrat.


But here’s the thing—we’re already doing this. We’re already weaving these ideas into our designs, already chatting to ecologists and planners, already sketching up ways to turn “requirements” into design features you’ll actually love.


Think: a living wall on your new garden room, or a hidden bin store that doubles as a bug hotel. (Yes, that’s a thing. And yes, it can look great.)



So… what kind of projects are we excited about?


If you’ve got a listed cottage in a conservation area that needs a contemporary extension—let’s talk.

If you’ve got a patch of green belt and a wild dream of a modern eco home—call us.

If you’re a local business owner looking to build something bold but sensitive to its surroundings—we’re in.

And if you’re just not sure where to begin, but you know you want a team who cares about getting it right—not just for the planners, but for the people and the planet—we’d love to help.


Final thoughts (and an open invitation)


Building in Windsor isn’t always straightforward, but that’s what makes it brilliant. There’s a richness to the fabric here—a layered history, a complex geography, a deep connection to landscape and place. And now, there’s a renewed call to design in harmony with the natural world.

If that sounds like your cup of tea (preferably sipped in a light-filled extension overlooking a wildflower garden), then let’s chat.


We’re here to help you navigate the quirks, embrace the challenges, and create something truly special.

And who knows? You might even make a hedgehog happy in the process.



Get in touch



We're a friendly bunch, and we’d love to hear what you’re planning. Whether it’s a single-storey extension, a new home, or something totally unexpected—we’re all ears. And sketchbooks. And strong tea.

Manor Farm Regeneration: Planning Application Finally Submitted

By Chris Dale • December 1, 2025
This marks a huge milestone in what has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding projects our practice has ever worked on. An Opportunity and a Privilege When we were first approached by Step Property almost five years ago, it was immediately clear that Manor Farm was a once-in-a-career project — a historic farmstead with five Grade II listed buildings, a sensitive Conservation Area setting, Green Belt & flood plain constraints, a struggling commercial yard and collapsing historic buildings that all urgently needed a coherent long-term vision and a strategy to achieve that. To be entrusted with leading the design and coordination of such a significant site has been a genuine privilege, one which we have not taken lightly.

Why Our Kickstarter Package Could Be The Smartest Investment You Make

By Chris Dale • November 3, 2025
Across the UK, many homeowners and small developers are pausing their plans. Construction costs are at record highs, planning requirements have become more complex, and professional fees are also increasing, so even a seemingly simple home extension or redevelopment is much more of a risk. Possibly the greatest concern we hear is – “What if we spend thousands of pounds only to find out it’s not even possible?” That’s exactly why we created the Kickstarter Package — our fixed-fee feasibility study that helps you to make informed decisions at a nominal cost in comparison to house purchases and developments. What is the Kickstarter Package? The Kickstarter Package is a design-led feasibility consultation that explores the planning, budget and design potential of your property. For a modest, fixed fee (from £750 excl. VAT), our experienced architects help you understand whether your ideas are likely to be achievable, affordable, and aligned with current planning policy — saving time, stress and money later on. You’ll receive clear answers to the key questions every homeowner faces: Is planning permission likely to be granted? What might the project cost? How long could it take? What could it look like? What’s Included — and Why It Matters Each element of the Kickstarter Package offers exceptional value compared with typical early-stage architectural or consultant fees. 1. Initial Consultation and Site Visit We start with a detailed discussion about your goals & requirements — from extending your home to redeveloping a site or purchasing a property. Then we visit the site to review opportunities and constraints in person. This early visit often uncovers crucial planning, drainage or design issues before you spend thousands on detailed drawings.

Is It Still Worth Extending Your Home?

By Chris Dale • September 30, 2025
For many families, extending or renovating their home has long been the dream solution — more space, a better layout, and a home that works for modern life. But in today’s climate, with projects in the £100,000–£300,000 range, things feel a lot more challenging. So what’s changed, why is it harder, and how can you still make your project work? The Main Challenges • Planning is getting pricier – application fees are higher, and councils are demanding more specialist reports (heritage, ecology, flood risk, transport, sustainability). • Build costs keep rising – materials and labour are much more expensive than even a few years ago. • Tougher regulations – stricter building rules on energy efficiency, fire safety and accessibility add extra costs. • Financing is harder – borrowing is still more expensive than it was pre-2022. • Trades are stretched – good builders and subcontractors are in high demand, pushing prices and timescales up. • Delays and uncertainty – planning decisions are taking longer, especially in sensitive areas like the Green Belt, Conservation Areas or with listed buildings. • Budgets are squeezed – with the cost of living rising, homeowners are weighing up whether extending or simply moving makes more sense.

A Guest Blog with Mark Taylor Design

By Chris Dale • September 3, 2025
1. Tell us a little about Mark Taylor Design — how did it start, and what defines your approach to bespoke interiors and kitchens? Mark Taylor Design was set up 29 years ago. I was trained in both furniture production and management and was also a keen designer. I had completed an MBA and wanted to apply all these skills to build a business, doing something I loved. I have always believed that you can design beautiful furniture and rooms without imposing a specific ‘look’. The company has built its reputation on listening to the ideas and desires of clients. We then help to steer their vision through space design, interior expertise and craft skills. What people have at the end of their design and build journey is their vision made beautiful – rather than ours. 2. What makes a truly successful kitchen or interior design in your view — and how do you balance aesthetics with day-to-day functionality? There is nothing quite like the beauty of bespoke. Having something created to your specifications is arguably the epitome of modern luxury. Bespoke is most commonly used to refer to hand-made suits and shoes. Now the concept has become much more sought after within the world of interiors and design – with bespoke kitchens leading the way. And it’s not too hard to understand why. Bespoke means not having to compromise - getting exactly what you want and how you want it. It also allows you to unleash your imagination and embrace your creativity. The end result is a room that is crafted, in every way, to embrace your lifestyle and personal taste. Importantly, by incorporating some elements of bespoke furniture into a custom made kitchen it’s possible to give people a unique room without breaking the bank. This could be a bespoke island or dresser for instance. By combining bespoke and custom made you can optimise the space so that the end result flows smoothly and looks amazing too. 3. How do you typically collaborate with architects on a project? What makes those relationships work well? Collaboration early on always helps. We ask architects not only about style and budget but also about the client’s favoured ways of working. Ideally, we like to meet the clients with the architect from the outset. Where this isn’t possible, we at least aim for a walk round the space or a chat through all the plans – even for the areas we might not be designing for, as this gives us a more comprehensive understanding of the clients’ vision.

The Architecture of Relaxation: Designing Spaces That Feel Like a Holiday

By Chris Dale • August 19, 2025
It’s summer holiday season — and as clients return from coastal cottages, mountain cabins, or sun-drenched villas, one theme keeps coming up: “How can I bring this feeling home?” That sense of ease, simplicity, and quiet joy isn’t just about being away—it’s about how those spaces are designed. At Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy, we help clients capture that same serenity in their everyday environments, with thoughtful design that’s tailored to how they live. Restful spaces aren’t created by chance. They’re the result of purposeful decisions—about layout, light, flow, and function. And often, it’s the small, well-considered changes that make the biggest difference. With decades of experience navigating UK planning, building regulations, and complex design briefs, we know how to deliver spaces that feel effortless, yet are deeply intentional. A calming home doesn’t need to be minimalist or expensive—it needs to be clear. That might mean reconfiguring a hallway to reduce visual clutter, introducing built-in storage to keep surfaces free, or designing a garden connection that invites you to step outside. These aren’t grand gestures—they’re subtle shifts that support a more peaceful way of living. Previously, on projects such as Halfacre (pictured below) we have found that storage, in particular, plays a quiet but very powerful role. When clutter is tucked away with care, rooms feel lighter, more spacious, and more welcoming. We design storage that’s integrated, intuitive, and tailored to your lifestyle — so your home supports simplicity without sacrificing function.

Should we save or borrow for our extension?

By Chris Dale • July 16, 2025
Like many, I am generally a saver rather than a borrower by default. A client recently told us that they planned to delay their project, so that they could save the additional money they needed to be able to do the extension that they really wanted, rather than compromising. Wisely they had asked us to carry out a costing exercise, so they knew this and could assess the situation and plan for it. In that instance they had £75,000 and needed save roughly another £25,000 to do what they wanted to do, which they thought they might be able to do over the course of 3-4 years. Their question was actually when they should resume the process, which we answered and I suggested that they give themselves a year to be comfortable to get planning, building regulations and find themselves a builder (it’s always better to allow more time than less!). However, it occurred to me that whilst saving rather than borrowing (in my mind at least) is an admirable and patient approach, it made me wonder what other factors should be considered.