Architecture Design | Solihull, Birmingham, Warwickshire
Planning Approval, Building Regulations & Builder-Ready Drawings
Recent Projects in Solihull, Birmingham & Warwickshire
Don’t imagine — Walk through your Architectural Drawings
Feasibility
View quick hand sketches alongside 2D and 3D options
Test ideas early before finalising detailed design
Spot planning or layout risks beforehand
Decide on go/no-go with confidence before incurring major costs.
Provides confidence that the project can succeed before you proceed with further investment.
Planning
Planning drawings explain clearly what is going to be built
Clear, council-ready drawings and visuals
Design & Access Statements and other paperwork prepared in-house
3D visuals help neighbours and planning officers understand the design
Higher approval rates, fewer council queries, smoother process
Building Regulations
Building Regs drawings show how the project will be built — structure, drainage, insulation, safety
Full coordinated pack covering structure, drainage, insulation, and fire safety
Drawings that builders trust and can cost accurately
Lowers the risk of alterations during construction.
Provides confidence to secure builder quotes and begin on site smoothly.
Build Support (Optional)
We can work with your chosen builder or connect you to trusted local partners
Site visits, inspections, and project management available as add-ons
Builder queries answered early, avoiding costly rework mid-build
Keeps your budget, quality, and timeline on track from approval through to completion
Optional support: ranging from simple check-ins to full project management
Walk Through a Recent Project
From day one, every project is designed in both 2D CAD and 3D. You’ll see how the rooms connect, how the light falls during the day, and how your home will feel before work starts. For existing homes, we take precise site measurements; for new builds, we use topographic surveys.
Neighbour Assurance: 3D visuals reduce objections and smooth approvals.
Drawings that answer planning officers’ questions before they ask them
Builders can quote more accurately because everything’s clear from the start
Prefer starting with plans? We can begin with 2D sketches and CAD drawings and then present key views and videos in 3D.
Additionally, we offer immersive Virtual Reality walkthroughs
More than a Architectural Drawing Service
With VR and the McTernan Design YouTube channel, you can step into your future home, walk from room to room, and see how it will feel before building begins. Clients gain confidence, avoid costly mid-build changes, and ease discussions with neighbours and builders.
Architectural services we offer
Feasibility Concepts
Explore your options with clarity
Early sketches and models help you visualise what’s possible, compare layouts, and progress confidently knowing the right direction for your home.
More space for living
From kitchen-diners to loft bedrooms, we design extensions that create family space and pass smoothly through local planning.
New Build Homes
A New Home, Built Around You
From initial concept to final drawings, we design homes that suit your lifestyle, complement your site, and gain planning approval.
Conversions & Redevelopments
Rework Your Property
From loft conversions to full barn renovations, we craft projects that reconfigure the potential of existing properties, taking into account approval processes and buildability.
Planning & Regulations
Planning & Building Made Simple
We prepare all the paperwork in-house - from planning statements to full Building Regulations drawings - so you don’t need to hire extra consultants.
Trusted Locally. Designs That Add Value.
Builder trust: We are trusted by builders such as Use Your Space in Knowle, who recommend our clear, build-ready drawings. Builders know our plans reduce questions on site, speed up pricing, and keep projects moving.
Extension value: For extensions, good design delivers more than just extra square metres. It creates spaces that suit daily life, light-filled kitchens, connected family rooms, and practical lofts. Nationwide data indicates well-designed extensions and loft conversions can increase property value by up to 25%, while also enhancing the everyday living experience in a home.
New-build certainty: For bespoke new homes, 2D floor plans alone never show how a house will feel. Our 3D models and virtual reality walkthroughs let you step inside the design before it’s approved, seeing how rooms flow, how light moves through the spaces, and how views open onto the garden. This gives you certainty and control before a single brick is laid.
“Excellent, responsive service which helped us not just narrow down our options but helped us think about things we hadn’t ever even considered. Mark was also extremely helpful whenever we had any related questions which gave us confidence to choose the right builder and that their quotes were also fair and reasonable. We also loved the interactive, VR simulation. This really brought our plans to life and helped involve the kids in the final choices.”
Thomas Dillon, Knowle, Solihull
Recent Projects in Solihull, Birmingham & Warwickshire
What Our Clients Say
"We needed more space but didn’t want to leave our neighbourhood. We got the perfect family home without moving in by the rear extension designed by McTernan. We were able to see exactly how the spaces would work before we committed to them with their 3D visualization." — Sarah & James, Solihull (Rear Extension)
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning and Building in Solihull, Birmingham & Warwickshire
We’ve got a plot of land in Solihull or Warwickshire – how can you tell us if it’s feasible to build?
A: We carry out a site-specific feasibility assessment. This involves evaluating access, utilities, ground conditions, and local planning policies. In Solihull, many sites fall within green belt restrictions; in Warwickshire, heritage and conservation considerations are often important. Our appraisal highlights opportunities and risks so landowners and self-builders understand what is practically achievable before investing further.
Do you prepare all the planning documents for the applications?
A: Absolutely. We prepare everything in-house: planning drawings, Design & Access Statements, heritage reports, and Building Regulations packs. This is especially valuable in Solihull and Birmingham, where councils often request detailed statements. Managing it all under one roof keeps the process quicker and avoids additional consultant costs.
We’re considering a replacement dwelling - demolishing and rebuilding. What is the process?
A: Replacement homes are common in Solihull villages such as Knowle and Dorridge, as well as in Warwickshire countryside plots. The process generally involves: securing planning permission for demolition and rebuilding, designing in line with local size and height policies, and producing Building Regulations drawings that detail how the construction will be carried out. We work closely with structural engineers and building control to ensure confidence before work begins.
What about barn conversions – how do they work locally?
A: Barn conversions may fall under Class Q permitted development or require full planning consent, depending on the structure and location. In rural Warwickshire and Coventry, many barns need heritage or conservation approval. We evaluate feasibility, prepare conversion designs, and manage all permissions, offering a pathway to a modern home that retains the building’s character.
Can we see and experience the design before it is built?
A: Yes. We use 3D modelling and virtual-reality walkthroughs so you can explore the design before planning approval or construction. Families often use VR to check kitchen layouts, window placements, and garden views, while developers test capacity and flow. This prevents costly mid-build changes and provides you with certainty.
How long does the planning process take in Solihull, Birmingham, and Warwickshire?
A: Timelines vary by council. Solihull decisions usually take around 8 weeks from validation. Birmingham often takes longer at 10–12 weeks due to backlogs. Warwickshire and nearby districts typically range between 8-10 weeks. We monitor current council performance so you know what to expect before submitting.
Start with a free desktop appraisal and quote
Share your address details and project type. I’ll find your home or plot on screen, review recent local planning decisions, and check Google Earth and Street View. When we speak, we’ll talk through your specific site, not guesswork. The consultation and quote are free.
Prefer to send photos or a quick video of your house or plot? WhatsApp me on 07955 572811. Pictures of the rear garden, access, and any tricky corners really help the appraisal.