End to End
Excellence
We are
Cornwall Planning Group
Cornwall Planning Group are a planning-lead architectural firm operating out of Hayle, Cornwall. We hold a clear focus, drive and passion for producing quality builds across the country – delivering ambitious yet practical designs of the highest standard.
Experience
Matters
Established in 2014 by experienced managing director Chris Menear, the company was instilled with core beliefs that inform all our work, at every stage. Focusing on sustainability, efficiency, value, effectiveness, drive and diligence has allowed us to successfully collaborate with clients across a variety of sectors, both in-county and across the greater South West. Over the past five years, we have established a range of executive clients such as Housing Developers, Private Builders Commercial Retailers and even the National Trust.
Process
Matters
Cornwall Planning Group’s process is informed by our history, our staff and our clients – excelling in providing a comprehensive service from initial planning, to appraisals, master planning, administration, applications, all the way to final delivery – resulting in the highly esteemed practice we run today.
We pride ourselves being a friendly bunch which are always here to explain the smallest of details or more complex planning matters. From our office in Hayle Cornwall we are very fortunate to have views over St Ives Bay Cornwall which inspires our imagination, creating a beautiful environment for our customers and team to support your every desire.
“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” – Frank Gehry
The
Team
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
I am the founder and owner of the business which was set up in 2014. Business growth and development is a specific responsibility. As the business expands so new processes need to be put into place to ensure the business is operating to its very best and fulfils client expectation.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
I have a creative background and my hobbies and interests seem to often relate to my work. However off dry land I am a keen sailor and sea lover! It’s cliché but every day is a school day and your palette of skills mature with experience, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
To see the existing team mature and expand and with that the business continue to grow.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
We recently completed a spectacular new build design in Portreath Cornwall. This project combined a mixture of traditional building techniques with a blend of modern architecture. The new family home measured at over 800m2 – A partner associate of Cornwall Planning Group ‘RHR Construction’ were the contractors on site who carried out both the engineering and building works. During the project the client introduced further budgets for renewable technologies and design enhancements, this was really refreshing! The view is spectacular and the people involved were great… this one will be hard to beat!
Since the above project we are extremely privileged to be working with some fantastic developers…. Check out our latest social media!
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
Sharpies black marker, I literally have one with me wherever I go.
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
My title here at Cornwall Planning group is Technical Planning Officer. This would involve the daily liaison with of our superb group of technicians, communication with clients, existing and new, to discuss what ideas they may have and the submission of your plans containing those wonderful ideas to assist bringing that dream to life. The role also includes arranging of surveys relevant to your proposal of which are required for planning submission, the preparing of CIL forms, Design & Access Statements and assisting with the marketing side of the business through social media and various other avenues.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
I would say that I am very personable, a bit of a chameleon.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
Having worked in estate agency over the last 7 years this is a new career for me however within a similar sector and one i am very much excited about. Once I have found my feet, I wish to be able to grow within CPG, enhance my knowledge and assist in growing the company.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
I am terribly fond of a mix of styles. Traditional homes with clean, modern extensions.
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
The mouse. Things would be rather difficult without it.
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
As both a CAD Technician and Building Surveyor, I enjoy a great mix of both getting out into the field and spending time behind my desk. On a site visit, I could be doing anything from finding the faults in a building to visualising a complete new build, but when I’m back in the office I’m using my computer to bring these to life!
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
Surveying and ultimately drawing buildings requires a lot of problem solving in a really creative way, I love that no two projects are the same! So, whenever I come up with a particularly innovative solution, I’m excited to share it with the team and make it happen.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
Registering with the CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists) would be an excellent reflection of my growth here at Cornwall Planning Group. Not only would it help our work to be seen by more people, it’s just an excellent stamp of approval to have on your plans, in the company of some amazing people!
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
A nice heritage conversion would do me just fine, it’s always a treat to visit such historic buildings and have the chance to work on them. I’m constantly amazed by the standard of architecture, and revel in the challenge of updating a property whilst retaining the character that made it so special in the first place!
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
Revit, the building modelling software we use, I literally couldn’t do my job without it! The programme allows us to create some extremely detailed models, which our clients really appreciate – it’s so rewarding to watch their faces light up when they see their plans for the first time!
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
I am an Architectural Technician, managing projects throughout both planning and technical design, as well as liaising with clients and consultants.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
My background has predominantly involved acting as lead consultant on large multi-million-pound retirement living developments, as well as in the retail sector for well-known convenience stores. As such I have developed skills in management and coordination of other consultants works in addition to also providing the architectural services and packages of works at each stage of construction to meet the requirements of the client.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
I am an Associate member of CIAT and would like to progress to become a fully accredited MCIAT to further my career and recognition as a skilled professional in the industry.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
To design and build my own home. Then again, wouldn’t we all!
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without? Revit. I have been using the software all of my professional career and it has proved an invaluable tool for successful schemes. 3D models are not only useful to portray the project visually to the client, but buildings a virtual version of a project ensures all the technical detailing and coordination is done before being built for real.
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
My role at Cornwall Planning Group is an Architectural Technician. I’m responsible for producing drawings for planning & building regulations. I adapt designs for changing proposals for existing and future projects, from conception through to completion. In addition to this, I liaise with clients, implementing their ideas and comments to produce the perfect representation of both their vision and ours.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
My skill set is predominantly design based and having come from an Interior Architecture background, I take great pride in my design capabilities. Being able to produce inspiring designs that provide the client with a happier and more enjoyable space to live/work within, this is something I aim to achieve with every project. I have also worked in the surveying sector for several years, so I hope to bring an element of accuracy and attention to detail to the practice.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
I would like to create a range of creative designs that push the boundaries of planning control, to increase the aesthetic quality and life experience of generic residential design. The ambition throughout my career is to always challenge the normal. To create something different and unique, whilst retaining its connection to the local surroundings.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
I would love to work on a heritage renovation project of a castle or similar historic building. Being able to produce a design that renews a historic building back to its former glory, while also introducing modern design techniques and ideas in the context of an older structure.
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
My headphones. I live and breathe music. There’s nothing that gets me more focused than listening to my favourite tracks while working on an engaging project. However, I have been known to get too carried away with the occasional air guitar or drum solo.
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
As an architectural technologist my primary role at CPG is to produce the drawings for planning and building regulations that our client’s require to realise their project goals. This typically involves site surveys, design work and detailed technical drawing as well as working with other consultants.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
Coming from a building surveying background, it’s perhaps my ability to apply myself to a wide range of tasks throughout the industry, from defects analysis and cost estimating to running projects and design work.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
Having recently joined the team, I’m looking forward to building on my experience and developing my architectural skill set.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
My own tiny house by the sea!
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
Not really office furniture, but it would be hard to imagine life without a decent ‘Disto’!
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
I run the administration side of things here at Cornwall Planning Group. As well as managing our technicians diaries, I visit our clients at new projects across Cornwall and take notes whilst our talented technicians measure up the site. I also process client applications and relevant paperwork including CIL forms and Design & Access Statements and I liase with third parties with regards to essential reports. I keep in touch with Planning Officers at Cornwall Council on a daily basis to keep our clients informed of any updates relating to their planning applications.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
I’m very resilient. Which is a very useful skill to have when working on projects.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
I’m quite new to the Cornwall Planning Group. I’ve found that no two days are the same in the world of planning and that every day is a school day. My aim is to learn everything I possibly can about this industry in order to support our lovely clients.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
I’m a big fan of mid-century design and architecture that blends seemlessley into its natural surroundings.
The absolute dream would be to find a 1960’s fixer-upper by a lake, somewhere in Canada.
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
A notepad. I write EVERYTHING down.
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
At Cornwall Planning Group, my role is to be an Architectural Technician, measuring up existing sites or using site data to create proposal drawings for planning and building regulations. Operating CAD software to create a range of drawings ranging from site outlines to creating detailed planning drawings. To assist with the work of creating planning drawings, I get out in the field to do site visits, of which I really enjoy!
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
My ability to adapt to new surroundings and challenges. This can really help with working on projects as no two projects are the same! It can also really help when meeting with clients in real life to quickly understand the client’s plans.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
In the next year I would like to keep growing my understanding of CAD and planning regulations. Whilst in doing this, I want to build a large portfolio of planning drawing. Every drawing I complete, I learn a great deal about CAD. I hope that in a years time, I have worked on many designs that have tested my ability and have shaped me to become even more adaptable.
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
If I could work on any project, it would have to be a modernist style house, similar to the designs seen in Palm Springs, where desert modernism thrived during the 1960s.
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
My new Logi MX Master 3S mouse!
What is it you do at Cornwall Planning Group?
I am responsible for supporting architecturals project from concept to completion, helping to provide technical building models through the design and planning stages.
Which skill of yours are you most proud of?
I would probably say my communication skills are pretty good, allowing me to build good rapors and professional relationships with my clients.
What do you want to achieve at Cornwall Planning Group within the next year?
Progress my knowledge across architecture and the construction industry
If you could work on any project, what would it be?
I have always wanted to work on the renovation or conversion of a Cornish tin mine pump house
Which piece of office equipment will you never be seen without?
A pen and paper! An essential requirement for any situation.