Nicholas Jacob Architects LLP

08/10/2026

Making historic homes more sustainable isn't always straightforward.
From 21st October, new planning rules in England will make it easier for homeowners without driveways to install electric vehicle charging points, including cables running across pavements.

However, the new permitted development rights won't apply in conservation areas, within the curtilage of listed buildings or on scheduled monument sites, where additional permissions may still be required.
This is an example of the challenges involved in adapting historic properties to meet modern needs.

We have experience of balancing these requirements. Our restoration of an 18th-century Grade II listed Georgian house in Norfolk, following extensive fire damage, included the sensitive introduction of modern technologies such as ground-source heating, solar panels, battery storage and improved insulation.

This shows how historic buildings can be adapted for modern living, while retaining their architectural character and significance.

Preserving our architectural heritage and improving sustainability don't have to be conflicting objectives. Careful planning and design can help achieve both.

A link to the legislation is in the comments.

Read more about the new regulations: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/

02/10/2026

There's an important change coming to the way planning applications are decided in England. From 31st October, new national rules will determine which planning applications are decided by planning officers and which can be referred to a planning committee.

Many applications, including householder applications, smaller residential developments and minor commercial schemes, will have to be determined by officers. For other applications, officer determination will generally be the starting point, with referral to committee reserved for cases that meet specific criteria.

Applicants can still comment and raise material planning considerations, but the route an application takes through the planning system is changing.

For anyone considering a building project, it is another reminder of the importance of a well-considered application that clearly addresses the relevant planning, design and where applicable, heritage issues from the outset.

Please get in touch if you require support with a planning and/or listed building application.

Planning committee call-in rules change on 31 October as the national delegation scheme removes ward-member call-ins and objection thresholds in England.

22/09/2026

We regularly help clients to procure specialist trades to carry out conservation work. Caring for an historic building relies on having the right craftspeople who understand traditional materials and construction techniques.

Britain has an huge amount of traditionally constructed buildings, but maintaining them requires skills and knowledge that aren't always easy to find.

We are pleased to see that a new national Heritage and Traditional Build Sector Skills Plan was launched on 17th September, led by the National Federation of Builders with support from Construction Industry Training Board. It aims to address the shortage of people with the specialist skills needed to repair, maintain, restore and retrofit traditional buildings.

https://www.citb.co.uk/about-us/partnerships-and-initiatives/sector-skills-plans/rmi-sector-skills-plan

14/09/2026

Historic England has updated its guidance on fire safety in listed and heritage buildings, looking at areas including fire doors, compartmentation, detection systems and alterations to historic fabric: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/emergency-and-fire/fire-advice

It's something we have encountered in our own work. At the Grade I and II* listed Isaac Lord complex in Ipswich, for example, the open nature of the historic buildings was an important part of their significance. Rather than introducing extensive subdivision to achieve fire separation, an alternative misting system formed part of the solution.

We have also worked on the restoration of an 18th-century listed house in Norfolk following a devastating fire - bringing the building back to life while sensitively incorporating modern improvements.

Protecting people must always come first, but in historic buildings the challenge is finding solutions that achieve modern safety standards while retaining the character and significance of the building.

07/09/2026

Historic cinemas are more than places to watch films - they're an important part of our architectural and cultural heritage.

Historic England has just published new guidance looking at the development of cinemas as a building type, the reasons so many have been lost and how surviving buildings can be conserved and adapted for the future.

It's a subject particularly close to us - we were privileged to work on the Grade II-listed Electric Palace in Harwich, one of the UK's oldest surviving purpose-built cinemas. Our work has included alterations to improve accessibility as well as an extensive programme of conservation and restoration, supported by Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Do you have a favourite historic cinema that is still in use today?

Introductions to Heritage Assets. An introduction to cinemas as a building type including their development and decline, as well as alternative uses.

03/09/2026

Do the tall skyscrapers in the background detract from views of the Tower of London, or does the contrast between historic and modern architecture make the Tower stand out even more?

Historic England is pressing for tighter City Cluster height controls, arguing they are needed to protect the Tower of London’s World Heritage setting while the City Corporation warns of lost office capacity.

02/09/2026

A new planning policy brings some significant changes for historic buildings.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which came into effect on 17th August, includes several updates relevant to owners and custodians of heritage buildings.

The changes include more recognition of the importance of protecting designated heritage assets, as well as greater support for finding viable long-term uses for historic buildings.

The revised framework also supports the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings and gives more weight to proposals that improve their climate resilience.

Conservation and the sensitive adaptation of historic buildings form an important part of our work. We've included a few photos of some conservation projects we have done.

https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/changes-national-planning-policy-framework-nppf-and-other

01/07/2026

Happy 😂

21/06/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads who have helped us build dens, treehouses, Lego masterpieces and big dreams.

15/06/2026

Pippa joined the RIBA Suffolk Building Tour in May with her sketchbook and submitted her drawings of Housestead by Sanei Hopkins to the RIBA Eyeline drawing competition which have been long listed by the judges.

Other buildings visited and captured by Pippa in pen and ink include the Red House Barns by Project Orange and two of NJ Architects large-scale domestic projects in Aldeburgh which showcase our skills to sensitively respond to place and setting using classical proportions and heritage detailing.