RIBA Stage 1: Feasability Appraisal

This type of assesment is sometimes refered to as a Viability assesment or Feasability Assesment.

This type of appraisal would be carried out at the start of a new build project, or where an existing building is being repurposed.

This would be carried out with or without a site visit and site appraisal, and may be carried out as a desktop excercise, with an actual site visit set aside for a later date when viability is more determined .

We would consider, some are all of the following:-

• Ownerhsip identification
• Boundaries to the site
• Site designations - in local planning terms
• Site considerations
• Local Planning constraints
• Planning precedent
• Is the site in a sustainable location
• Any neighboring ownership to consider
• Previous planning history
• Planning history of adjacent sites
• Flood zones
• Radon Gas areas
• Mining History
• Other impact issues - canals, rivers, rail lines
• Noise
• Greenbelt, Open Space, Countryside
• Any SSI constraints
• Any trees or woodland
• Highways and Access
• Services available
• Conservation and Listed Buildings
• Topography
• Key Views
• Sustrainability

Any surveys needed :

• Topography
• Trees - type and root protection areas
• Any hedgerow
• Ecology PEA
• Bat Surveys
• Noise survey
• Any contamination
• Ground Investigation
• Other surveys ?

This service might also be in conjunction with other services:-

Arranging a topographical survey with one of the land survey companies we work with.

Arranging Tree Surveys and Other Surveys

Heritage Assessment - in house or external

Town Planning support

Local Authority Highway liaison

Local Authority Housing Officer liaision

Once the site is considered viable on paper: We might move on to :-

A Full Site Appraisal

Carrying out Feasiability studies

Where an existing building is to be repurposed, a Building survey.

Once we have a viable Feasability Study we would move onto Stage 2: Scheme Design