Swann Edwards Architecture Ltd

02/11/2026

Fenland Call for Sites has reopened – is your land an opportunity?

Fenland District Council has reopened its Call for Sites as part of the preparation of Fenland 50, the new Local Plan that will help shape how the district grows and develops through to 2050.

Whether you are a landowner, developer or community group, this is an opportunity to put forward land for consideration – from potential housing, employment and other development opportunities to local green spaces of community value.

Thinking of submitting a site? Getting the right advice at this early stage can make a real difference.

As architectural and planning specialists, with an in-house Chartered Town Planner, we can help you understand your site's potential, assess planning considerations and navigate the Call for Sites process.

A few important points to note:

▫️Sites submitted during the previous Call for Sites exercise do not need to be resubmitted, unless they were sent by email after the previous exercise closed.

▫️Updated information or additional details about previously submitted sites are welcome.

▫️The Call for Sites will remain open until further notice.

Submitting a site does not guarantee allocation or planning permission, but it ensures that potential opportunities can be considered as part of the Local Plan process.

Have land in Fenland that could have potential? Now is a good time to explore your options.

For further information on how we can support you, please get in touch with our team.

23/10/2026

Supporting our communities, one good cause at a time.

At BE Collective, we’re proud to support the communities we’re part of, and we love finding ways to give back to causes making a real difference.

Following our recent team away day at the races, our combined winnings were unanimously voted to go to charity. This time, we chose to support Haven Domestic Abuse Service , a Lincolnshire-based charity doing vital work in the Boston community.

Angela and Gemma welcomed Chloe from Haven to our Boston office to present the cheque for £252.90 and hear more about the incredible work the charity does. Formerly Boston Women’s Aid, Haven has expanded its services to support women, men and children affected by domestic abuse, with a focus on making support more inclusive and accessible.

Chloe also shared some of the funding challenges facing local rural services like Haven. With increasing pressure on resources, community support and charitable donations are more important than ever in helping vital services continue to reach the people who need them.

We’re delighted that our team’s winnings can make a small contribution to such an important cause, and we’d encourage anyone who can to find out more about Haven’s work and consider supporting them too.

A big thank you to Chloe for visiting us and sharing more about the difference Haven makes to individuals and families across our local community.

Find out more about Haven and how you can support them: https://havendas.org.uk/

13/10/2026

A fantastic achievement for George!

We’re delighted to share that George has officially completed — and passed — his Architectural Assistant (Integrated Degree) Level 6 Apprenticeship!

This is a significant milestone, marking the successful completion of a challenging programme that combines academic study with hands-on experience in architectural practice. The Level 6 apprenticeship typically spans around four years and develops skills across the breadth of architectural work — from design development, drawings and 3D modelling through to technical information and supporting projects through construction.

For George, it’s been a fantastic opportunity to learn, develop and contribute to projects along the way, and we’re incredibly proud to see him reach this point in his career.

Congratulations, George!

It’s great to see the next generation of architectural talent developing within our team, and we’re looking forward to supporting George as he continues to develop his skills, experience and career with us.
Well done!

11/10/2026

‼️A CHANGE TO PLANNING DECISION-MAKING‼️

From 31 October 2026, the new National Scheme of Delegation will change how planning applications are dealt with across England.

For applicants, this means understanding how your application is likely to be determined — and planning accordingly — will become increasingly important.

Click in and swipe through for a quick overview of what’s changing, including officer delegation, Planning Committee referrals and ward member call-ins.

If you’re considering a planning application, talk to us early.

08/10/2026

PLANNING COMMITTEE HATTRICK | 3 OF 3

And finally, number three of our recent planning committee approvals — bringing our hattrick to a close with a proposal for up to four new homes.

The scheme has been designed to respond to the established residential character of its surroundings in a Cambridgeshire village, taking cues from the existing pattern of development to create a natural extension of the built form.

At Committee, Members noted that there are houses all around the site, as well as other examples of ‘backland’ development within the wider area. They recognised that the proposal was therefore not out of keeping with the character of its surroundings.

And that brings our three approvals together.

What stood out most across the meeting was the level of support Members showed for the design of the proposals before them. In each case, the quality of the design was given significant weight in the decision-making process, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful, considered design in achieving successful planning outcomes.

Three approvals. Three different projects. One very satisfying Planning Committee hattrick.

07/10/2026

Take a look inside this previous Swann Edwards project ...

Light-filled spaces, beautiful views for miles and plenty of thoughtful details make this home a lovely example of considered design that really connects with its surroundings.

Now ready for its next chapter… could this be the place where yours begins?

4 bedroom detached house for sale in Frenchs Road, Walpole St. Andrew, PE14 for £700,000. Marketed by Hockeys, Wisbech

06/10/2026

PLANNING COMMITTEE HATTRICK | 2 OF 3

Number two of our three recent planning committee approvals — and this one is a great example of how sometimes a fresh approach can deliver a much better result than simply working with what is already there.

The proposal is for two new homes in March, Fenland, replacing existing agricultural buildings following an earlier Class Q approval for their conversion to residential use.

Rather than pursuing a conversion, the approved scheme takes a comprehensive approach: removing the existing structures and creating a more cohesive, farmstead-style development that responds to the rural setting. The design has been reduced in scale and carefully reconfigured to create a more natural and subordinate form of development.

The design also draws directly from its agricultural context, with barn-style forms, brickwork reflecting the existing structures and cladding elements referencing the character of the buildings already on site.

At Planning Committee, Members recognised that conversion of the existing buildings would have resulted in a substandard property, and that demolition and rebuilding would provide a much better outcome in terms of both the quality of the buildings and their appearance. They also noted that the principle of development was already established through the Class Q approval, with this scheme representing a much better alternative to the extant approval.

05/10/2026

🏅 Team Achievement Spotlight! 🏅

We’ve got two fantastic fitness achievements to celebrate!

Ian – Ironman Italy
Taking on the challenge in Cervia on the Italian Adriatic coast, Ian battled 28°C sunshine to complete:
🏊 1.2-mile swim – 40 mins
🚴 56-mile bike – 3 hrs 9 mins
🏃 Half marathon – in some seriously warm conditions!
⏱️ Total time: 6 hrs 49 mins

We bow down to you Ian! A brilliant result — especially with that heat!

🏃 Matt – Sandringham Half Marathon
Matt also took on the half marathon challenge at Sandringham, completing the 13.1 miles in an impressive 2 hrs 9 mins. 👏

Two very different challenges, but both showing the same thing: commitment, determination and a willingness to push yourself.

A huge congratulations to Ian and Matt — fantastic achievements and a great example of the team spirit we love to see!

04/10/2026

PLANNING COMMITTEE HATTRICK | 1 OF 3

We’re celebrating three recent planning approvals — three projects, three different stories, and a very satisfying hattrick at Planning Committee.

First up: a new home in March, Fenland, designed alongside the continued growth of an established local horticultural business.

The proposal provides a substantial five-bedroom family home, positioned at the entrance to the business to provide additional security and allow the family to be close at hand to oversee its operation. The wider scheme also incorporates an agricultural building, rainwater harvesting and PV panels, helping to support the continued growth of the business while reducing unnecessary journeys and its carbon footprint.

The design was carefully developed to sit comfortably within its setting, using facing brickwork and roof tiles sympathetic to the neighbouring homes, while retaining existing boundary landscaping and introducing additional planting.

At committee, Members described it as a “nice looking development”, noting that the dwelling’s connection to the business was something they wanted to support. They also recognised that, while generous in scale, it was an interesting piece of design — with one Member suggesting it “would win a design award if FDC still had them.”

And perhaps the best description of all: “a nice house which sets the scene for the approach into town.”

A great start to our committee hattrick... two more to follow!

02/10/2026

Advance notice | Office closure

Please note that all offices across Built Environment Collective will be closed on Tuesday 6th October while our teams come together for a company away day.

We’ll be open as usual on the days either side, but our teams will not be contactable on 6th October.

If you have an enquiry, please get in touch before or after the closure and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.