Housing
Our Building Control team is dedicated to enhancing residential living spaces.
Explore some of our featured projects below.
Evelyn Court Care Home
Client: Evelyn Court Care Ltd
Architect: Martin Ward & Keeling Ltd
Main Contractor: DC Construction LTD
Structural Engineer: CTS Design
Duration: 12 months
Completion: June 2025
OverView
Evelyn Court is a newly built, state-of-the-art care home in Derby, completed in June 2025. Specialising in dementia care, Evelyn Court has been thoughtfully designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for residents living with dementia.
Replacing the former Kidsley Grange Nursing Home, the new three-storey facility offers 36 en-suite bedrooms, spacious communal lounges, quiet rooms, and secure outdoor areas. Every aspect, from architecture to interior features, reflects best practices in dementia-friendly design, promoting dignity, independence, and quality of life.
Our Involvement
Cook Brown Building Control was appointed to deliver independent building control services throughout the development. From early design reviews through to final inspections, our team worked closely with the client and contractors to ensure compliance with current building regulations and sector-specific care home standards.
OutcomeThe project has delivered a much-needed specialist care facility in the area, supporting residents with complex needs in a safe and thoughtfully designed environment.
Llys Menevia, St Davids
Client: Life Property Group LTD
Main Contractor: W.B Griffiths & Son
Architect: Harries Planning Design Management
Structural Engineer: CB3 Consult
Photography: Behind The Lens Media
Overview:
Llys Menevia is a high-quality development of eleven exclusive homes just a short walk from the centre of St Davids, each featuring off-street parking, solar panels, and air source heat pumps for modern, low-maintenance living. Cook Brown Building Control was appointed to carry out independent building control inspections throughout the project.
Client Testimonial
“We have had the pleasure of working with Cook Brown Building Control on our Llys Menevia development, and I am delighted to share our positive experience. From the outset, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise, ensuring that all aspects of building control were meticulously managed.
Cook Brown’s proactive and collaborative approach throughout helped with smooth progression of our project. Their attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards were evident throughout the development process.
The team’s responsiveness and willingness to collaborate made a substantial difference. Their clear and concise communication ensured that we were always well-informed and able to make timely decisions.
In summary, Cook Brown Building Control has been an invaluable partner in the successful delivery of the Llys Menevia development. I highly recommend their services to any organisation seeking reliable and proficient building control support.”
Daniel Madge, Managing Director
Apartment Building, Stokes Croft, Bristol
Client: Redrow PLC
Main Contractor: Kennet Construction Limited
Architect: Roberts Limbrick LTD
Structural Engineer: PHG Consulting Engineers LTD
Overview
Situated in the vibrant heart of Bristol, 51°02 is a residential apartment building that recently underwent essential façade remediation works. The aim of the project was to ensure the building met updated fire safety requirements by replacing previously installed combustible materials with a fully compliant solution.
Cook Brown Building Control was appointed to carry out Building Control services throughout the duration of the works. Our role focused on assessing the project’s compliance with Building Regulations and carrying out regular site inspections at key stages of the remediation process.
The scope of works included the removal of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) cladding and insulation materials, which were replaced with a non-combustible Rockwool EWI system, providing enhanced fire performance and thermal efficiency.
Testimonial
“Working with Cook Brown Building Control on this exciting project in the centre of Bristol has been a joy! Dave Allen has been brilliant throughout, with a very proactive and professional approach from the start.
We asked Dave to attend design meetings regularly to gain full insight and understanding of the works. This led to another successfully certified project with Cook Brown.”
Ben Abraham, Contract Manager
Client: Your Apartment Architect: Oxford Architects Developer: Simon James New Homes
Overview Cook Brown Building Control provided Building Control services for this contemporary harbourside development near Bristol’s historic Wapping Wharf. Designed by Oxford Architects, the six-storey scheme delivers 13 high-quality serviced apartments, offering a home-away-from-home experience for professionals and tourists.
The development features a basement level incorporating car parking, storage, and a management office, while the ground floor includes cycle parking, accessible parking, and refuse storage. Vehicular and pedestrian access has been carefully planned from Cumberland Road to ensure seamless connectivity. Cook Brown Building Control’s expertise ensured that all structural, fire safety, and accessibility requirements were met, while Oxford Architects took a context-led approach, complementing the surrounding historic streetscape with a modern, functional design.
Client Perspective Your Apartment has secured a 10-year lease at Wapping Wharf, a newly built development designed to blend seamlessly with their signature home-away-from-home style. Each serviced apartment has been thoughtfully fitted out to a high standard, offering a perfect balance of comfort and contemporary design in one of Bristol’s most vibrant harbourside locations.
Outcome Cook Brown Building Control contributed to ensuring the successful delivery of this development, upholding safety, accessibility, and sustainability while preserving Wapping Wharf’s historic character. This high-quality scheme enhances Bristol’s vibrant harbourside living.
Copperleaf, Cheltenham
Images by: Jenny Stewart
Architect: PYSTE Architects
Main Contractor: VJW Contractors
Superstructure: Glosford SIPs
Structural Engineer: Davidson Walsh
Planning Consultant: McLoughlin Planning
Duration: 9 months
Completion: June 2024
Overview:
Copperleaf is a contemporary residence in Cheltenham, designed by PSYTE Architects, which thoughtfully integrates sustainable practices with the rich historic character of the local area. Situated on a narrow infill site next to a Victorian-era building, the project required a careful balance between innovative construction techniques and respect for the surrounding architectural heritage. Cook Brown Building Control provided essential support in ensuring the project met building regulations while preserving its design integrity.
The success of the Copperleaf project is a testament to its carefully considered design, which incorporates Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), including the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs). These panels enhanced the building’s thermal performance and airtightness—key factors in optimising the Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system. The facade, which blends traditional brickwork with high-performance glazing, was meticulously chosen to ensure the design remained sensitive to its conservation area context while achieving thermal efficiency. Cook Brown Building Control played a supportive role, helping to navigate regulatory requirements and ensure that all elements of the design were fully realised.
Testimonial:
“It was a pleasure working with Cook Brown on the Copperleaf project. Their proactive approach and expertise were helpful in overcoming technical challenges and ensuring our sustainability
goals were met.”
Sahar Koohi, Design Leader, PSYTE Architects
Dorset House, Treetops, Chew Stoke
Client: Christin Peglow and David Archer
Architect: Christin Peglow @ pad Design Ltd
Structural Engineer: George Holland @ Element Structures
Project Value: £500,000
Duration: 13 months
Completion: May 2019
Project details:
Timber clad replacement dwelling within the Bristol and Bath Greenbelt and village of Chew Stoke providing a sustainable and contemporary family home that addresses its generous south facing garden and views with substantial glazing and patio doors on ground floor and a double cantilevered first floor, that relates in proportion to its local vernacular with rhythmical window pattern, low sills and an asymmetrical gable.
Sustainability
- Constructed to Passivhaus standards with respect to insulation, airtightness and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
- Isoquick insulated raft reducing thermal bridging and providing thermal mass
- Pre-fabricated timberframe in twin wall construction with Superglass 032 full fill and Beltermo woodfibre externally
- Triple glazing
- Solar PV tiles to south elevation with solar hot water heating, Tesla Powerwall and car charger
- Green roofs to single storey elements
Our focus was on creating a sustainable and modern family home that connects both inside and outside spaces, catering to the client’s needs while meeting Building Regulations. The house incurs zero yearly energy costs, with £300 spent on winter electricity balanced by feed-in tariffs and export payments in summer, even providing a bonus for charging the electric car.
This project was featured in Grand Designs magazine, read the feature here.
The Hideaway
Client: Jelf Developments
Project Description:
This award-winning home showcases the use of local natural materials and an excellently designed structure on a tricky, steep, and compact plot. Crafted to meet the latest thermal standards, the clever use of space was particularly impressive.
The bungalow benefits from an air source heat pump, underfloor heating, and triple-glazed aluminium windows to assist with SAP Calculations. Locally sourced stonework and timber cladding were specifically chosen to minimise the carbon footprint.
Beckford Gate
Client: MEO Projects
Project Description:
This project delivered 4 luxury apartments on the iconic approach to Bath city, adjacent to the historic Beckford monument. The building has been constructed in Bath Stone with an SFS frame. The creative design of the open plan living meant the use of a water mist system as a compensatory feature.
76 Grove Road, Bristol
Client: Benchmark Builders Ltd
Project Description:
We were appointed to provide Plan Assessment and Site Inspection Services on the construction of two new dwellings in the Coombe Dingle area of Bristol. Our client and contactors on the project, Benchmark Builders, have produced two fantastic new houses that offer spacious luxury living within a few miles of the city centre.
Old Flax Shop, Dorset
Client: Design Storey
Awards:
‘Best Conversion’ at the 2021 Daily Telegraph Homebuilding and Renovating Awards
Project Description:
We were introduced to the client by Design Storey Architects, who we have previously worked with, due to our extensive experience providing Building Control services for listed buildings.
Working closely with the client during the early stages of the construction we were able to ensure that the buildings history and key features were retained, creating a stylish yet compliant renovation of the property.
The most challenging aspect of the project was achieving a satisfactory means of escape from the first floor, and the fire protection to the exposed floor joists using the latest innovations in passive fire protection. As well as the fire strategy the challenge of meeting energy conservation requirements on this listed building needed a creative yet practical approach. The finished product is a stunning transformation which retains the charm and character of the Old Flax Shop.
Viewpoint House, Staines
Client: The Shaviram Group
Project Description:
Our client appointed us to provide Building Control services on the conversion of this 1984 office building, which is now home to 82 contemporary apartments, each of which is a showcase for modern urban life.
Stripped back to its bare bones, the building saw the installation of partition walls and sleek new doors, delineating each apartment with precision.
Outside, the facade received a modern facelift with the addition of sleek
aluminium windows, while a comprehensive overhaul of the drainage system ensured functionality across the basement levels.
Inside, no expense was spared in crafting each apartment to the highest standards. From the chic, high-specification kitchens to the deluxe bathrooms, every element was curated with the discerning resident in mind. Performance flooring throughout adds the finishing touch, marrying style with functionality seamlessly.
Hales Road, Cheltenham
Client: Property Owner
Main Contractor: Prime DCM
Architect: DMA Architects
Project Description:
A substantial semi-detached period property formerly used as a residential care home. In all, the floor area totals approximately 5,785 sq. ft. The accommodation started with 15 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 12 shower rooms and 10 reception rooms, and has been converted in to 12 apartments.
Sustainability:
Low energy efficient lighting and appliances.
Client Focus:
It was vital that the project did not disrupt the residents’ daily lives where possible as well as the children’s nursery whose facility is adjacent to the project. This is a key element in all projects and is achieved by phasing and detailed planning as well as ensuring delivery of materials were not scheduled during peak times.
Surveyor Focus:
Working as a team to meet the key areas of compliance, which included getting the fire strategy right first time.
Our Approach:
Collaborative approach with the site manager, having a good meaningful pre-start meeting, set out the requirements and areas for inspection and keep good communications throughout.
Key Challenges:
Mix construction materials, steel/traditional & timber frame along with access issues to rear made for a tricky but exciting project.
The Water Tower, Bristol
Client: Cameron Building Services
Project Description:
We were appointed by Cameron Building Services as the Registered Building Control Approver for the unique conversion of a former 1930’s water tower into four new duplex apartments. The Frenchay Water Tower is situated in North East Bristol amongst a new housing development, although it is the last original building from the former Frenchay Hospital that historically resided on this site.
Birch Grove, London
Client: SMC Investcorp Limited
Project Description:
SMC Investcorp Ltd appointed us to provide Registered Building Control Approver services on the extensions and alterations of an existing dwelling to create five luxury flats in Ealing, London.
Land Off Trallwn Road
Client: Caredig
Project Description:
Cook Brown Building Control provided building control services for Trallwn Farm Close, a project by Castell Group in Llansamlet, Swansea. This development involved demolishing an old garage to construct 12 EPC A energy-rated affordable housing units for Caredig, including both one and two-bedroom units, with four specifically designed for disabled users.
The project consists of two semi-detached blocks built
to lifetime home standards and has achieved a Secure by Design Gold Standard Certificate. Notably, the development includes a Rain Garden cultivating wildflowers for drainage, hedgehog openings in the fence panels, and a bat box. The site was sourced through a letter to the vendor and is entirely funded by private investment.
Testimonial:
‘‘As the Technical Manager at Castell Group, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Cook Brown, and I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism, expertise, and dedication. Their team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our projects meet all regulatory standards.
Their attention to detail has helped us maintain high
standards and built a strong foundation of trust and
collaboration. I highly recommend Cook Brown Building Control Services to any organisation seeking a knowledgeable and dependable partner in building control.’’
Matthew Evans
Technical Manager
Former Bussage House
Client: Martin Bond
Main Contractor: Bond Brothers LTD
Architect: Peter Marshall Architects
Structural Engineer: DHP
Project Description:
SECTOR: HOUSING
Situated in the beautiful village of Bussage in Gloucestershire, we were appointed to provide Building Control services for an exciting project involving a ground floor extension and the conversion of an existing structure to create four new apartments. The split-level nature of the site posed significant engineering challenges, particularly concerning the structural integrity and stability of the new extension.
Safety was a top priority, particularly with the height differences on the site, leading to the implementation of comprehensive fall protection measures to safeguard all personnel.
Achieving compliance with fire safety regulations was critical, and our detailed attention to fire protection measures ensured that all standards were met, enhancing the overall safety of the structure. Clear and consistent communication was pivotal throughout the project, facilitating smooth progress and enabling prompt resolution of challenges. Our collaborative approach helped maintain alignment with project goals from inception to completion.
Through strategic planning, expert execution, and unwavering commitment to safety and communication, we successfully navigated the complexities of this project, delivering exceptional results.
