Skylarks is located in a scenic village in East Sussex, named one of the UK’s top five coastal housing hotspots in 2021. The development comprises 19 one-, two-, and three-bedroom dwellings. These include two fully adapted wheelchair-accessible homes, all built to a high specification with enhanced insulation, Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), and individual EV charging points The homes achieved EPC ratings of A and B, and were designed to be completely tenure-neutral, ensuring identical internal and external finishes across both affordable and private units.

We provided multidisciplinary services, supporting the client throughout the project lifecycle. We oversaw the delivery of estate roads, footways, pedestrian linkages, public open space, and strategic landscaping, alongside the reconfiguration of existing paddocks and junction improvements from Ovingdean Road. A unique challenge arose during groundworks when a prehistoric mammoth tusk was uncovered. We coordinated with archaeologists to assess the site, ensuring preservation without significant delay to the programme. This unexpected discovery highlighted the importance of agile project management and stakeholder coordination.

The project delivered high-quality, energy-efficient homes with low running costs, contributing to local housing needs and environmental goals. It also supported job creation and regional supply chains. Our proactive approach added value through risk mitigation, quality assurance, and a seamless client experience.

The existing housing estate is comprised of 1960s buildings in very poor condition that have come to the end of their lifespan. Our design protects and enhances the character of the site while revitalising it with modern homes that will give residents a sense of ownership and pride to live on Spon End Estate. More than half of the new homes will be affordable, with a third allocated for social housing and the remainder for private sale.

Our client, Citizen Housing Group (Citizen), sought a design that was sensitive to the heritage of the surrounding site – which includes a conservation area and the River Sherbourne. For the homes, Citizen asked us to prioritise safety, quality, comfort, and sustainability, ensuring they reflect modern standards and deliver lasting benefits. It was also essential that the regeneration process reflected the needs of the local community, achieved through an exemplary

To ensure our design was community-led, we convened a workshop with key local stakeholders – residents, council members, educational authorities, police representatives, and special interest groups such as the local river enhancement collective. The outcomes were substantial, leading to design elements that enable easier access to the river for pedestrians and cyclists, and incorporate essential local amenities such as a shop and café.

The majority of the site lies within a flood zone due to the River Sherbourne running through the centre, which presented a challenge as we could not include residential accommodation at ground floor level. To overcome this, we designed most of the ground floor areas of the apartments for commercial use, with the remainder allocated to parking, plant, and storage (bins, bikes, etc.).

Area Three sits within the Spon End Conservation Area, with listed buildings and monuments nearby. To respect these historic features, we opted for a lower-scale, lower-density design, locating approximately 27 new family homes within this part of the site. We worked closely with the local planning and conservation officers to reach an agreeable position for all parties. Our design for the homes was developed collaboratively with Citizen and uses eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient features, representing a high build quality and meeting the Future Homes Standard. The homes will also be affordable for a wide range of residents, from families to young professionals and older adults. The planning application was submitted in April 2025, and the existing estate is currently undergoing demolition while we await approval.

The site previously received planning consent in 2017, but the development did not proceed, and the consent lapsed in 2021. Our updated proposals respond to current statutory requirements and environmental standards, while retaining the core vision of the original scheme. The design enhances the character of the area and introduces a new green spine that connects the community through shared spaces and sustainable homes.

Thurrock Council, sought a refreshed design that built on the previously approved scheme while addressing new planning, environmental and accessibility standards. The brief was to retain the mix of homes – from one-bedroom flats to larger family houses and bungalows – while promoting wellbeing, sustainability, and community interaction.

We led a comprehensive review of the original scheme and identified areas we needed to address to ensure compliance with current statutory standards. These included changes to access and energy efficiency requirements for properties, as set out in Approved Document M and Part L of the Building Regulations respectively. Our RIBA Stage 2 proposal kept the original number of homes but reduced their original footprint and increased layout efficiency to allow for an additional communal landscaped area.

Of the 80 mixed-tenure homes, 20 are for social rent, with 8 for Shared Ownership and the remaining 52 for private sale. There are 8 wheelchair accessible dwellings – representing 10% of the total units – designed to meet the standards for Category 3 M4(3) dwellings as set out in approve Document M of the Building Regulations.

Our proposal also increased the thickness of external walls to ensure each property complies with the updated Part L requirements, which mandate that new buildings produce 30% less CO₂ than under the previous regulations. The buildings are arranged so that the single or two storey terraced houses on the southern part of the site complement the existing neighbours in Belmont, Castle and Rosebery Roads. The taller three storey houses and flats are located adjacent to the site’s western and northern boundary to minimise impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Car parking is provided with 124 in-curtilage spaces, including one space per bungalow and 8 wheelchair-accessible spaces. An additional 42 visitor spaces bring the total to 188.

The project is currently on hold while Thurrock Council evaluates its options.

Court Collaboration set out to deliver a landmark residential development in Birmingham city centre — One East Side — comprising two towers, including one that rises to 51 storeys. When complete, it will be one of the tallest habitable buildings in the city. The development will deliver 667 high-quality homes and a wide range of resident amenities, including co-working spaces, gyms, a cinema, and Birmingham’s highest sky lounge and terrace. Landscaped gardens and courtyard spaces have also been designed to support wellbeing and community.

Baily Garner was appointed to provide Quality Control Inspections (QCI) and Building Services Engineering for this ambitious project. Our remit includes supporting site inspections throughout the build, reviewing programme progress, monitoring quality, and undertaking key benchmarking stages — including dry and wet benchmarks and final snagging inspections. We also take an active role in checking the golden thread of information, ensuring documentation and compliance are properly tracked and managed.

Our experience in complex, high-rise urban projects has allowed us to offer practical, proactive advice to both the client and delivery teams. Our presence has helped foster strong collaboration across the project, maintain high standards of construction, and keep the development on track for successful delivery.

Rushmoor Borough Council appointed Baily Garner to support the regeneration of Aldershot town centre through the delivery of Union Yard — a vibrant mixed-use development comprising 100 residential units, 128 student accommodation units for the University for the Creative Arts, and 2,237m² of flexible commercial space. The scheme, delivered across five blocks, was designed to high standards in line with the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) and Homes England funding requirements. With some blocks over 18m in height, the development also required full compliance with the Building Safety Act.

Baily Garner provided multidisciplinary services throughout the project lifecycle. Our team led weekly operational catch-ups and fortnightly progress meetings with the Council, managing decision logs and advancing the Golden Thread of information. We also chaired fortnightly design team meetings and weekly M&E workshops to ensure compliance with NDSS and Homes England standards.

To meet obligations under the Building Safety Act, Baily Garner coordinated documentation and submissions to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), including the Regulation 38 pack and Gateway 3 application. This supported the client in meeting their duties while navigating an evolving regulatory environment.

Early delays caused by party wall issues posed a serious risk to programme delivery, with an initial 21-week impact forecast. Baily Garner conducted a robust analysis and led negotiations with stakeholders, securing a commercial agreement that reduced the delay to just five weeks — ensuring student accommodation would complete in time for the 2024 autumn term.

We also oversaw the negotiation and planning of s278 works, including stakeholder consultation and a traffic management strategy to mitigate community impact.

On site, Baily Garner set early quality benchmarks and deployed the Field View digital reporting app to track unit progress, identify remediation needs, and ensure issues were resolved to a documented and auditable standard. This transparent approach to quality control supported contractor performance and client confidence throughout.