Category: Builder

Falcon Homes

For more than three decades, Falcon Homes has been building high-quality residential developments across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Known for its focus on small to medium-scale sites, the company prides itself on delivering well-designed homes for first and second-time buyers. Currently, the company is developing The Sidings in Langwith, Derbyshire.

Managing Director, Ama Mandeir, brings a hands-on approach to every project and for the past 30 years, has worked alongside DBCP’s Building Control Manager David Pratt.

A key factor in the success of each project is the strength of its partnerships and when it comes to Building Control, Falcon Homes continues to rely on the same trusted expert, David Pratt.

Ama first met David when he was a building control surveyor in Mansfield. Such is the level of trust and respect, that the relationship endured following David’s move to DBCP in 2018.

“The service is second to none. DBCP works with us, not against us. It’s a proper collaboration. That’s rare and incredibly valuable.” explained Ama.

Building homes, not headaches

Falcon Homes typically delivers sites of six to 40 homes each year, and only ever works on one project at a time, allowing total focus on build quality and detail.

This approach demands a Building Control partner who is not only responsive and reliable, but who genuinely understands the pressures on site.

Ama shares: “I’ve worked with David Pratt for 30 years – first through the local authority and now DBCP. The service he has provided has always been second to none.”

Early advice, long-term confidence

From the earliest stages of each build, Falcon Homes prioritises compliance and quality. Ama values early and proactive engagement with Building Control. Being so proactively engaged meant that Ama was fully aware of the 2023 Building Regulations update: “David rang me in January to talk me through the changes, well before they came into force. That meant we could plan properly and avoid any rework and last-minute headaches,” he explained.

David praised Ama’s approach to Falcon Homes’ developments. He said: “Ama Mandeir is a prime example of the value that early engagement with DBCP brings. By involving us right from the very beginning, Ama enables genuine collaboration that helps avoid unnecessary delays or costs further down the line. His proactive approach ensures that his developments are not only compliant but completed to a high standard, on time and on budget. It’s a model we encourage all developers to follow.”

Building for the future

Consistency is key for Falcon Homes when it comes to Building Control. Having the same DBCP inspector throughout each project makes a significant difference on site, as inspectors build a detailed understanding of the build and its challenges, which streamlines communication and avoids unnecessary delays.

Ama also applauds DBCP’s commitment and investment to the future of Building Control: “With all of the recent changes in Building Control there’s been a mass exodus of personnel and experience from the sector. DBCP is investing in the next generation with apprentice inspectors. That’s great to see and it is bringing fresh talent into Building Control and keeps the profession strong.”

Responsive, local, reliable Building Control

DBCP’s responsive, personal approach keeps projects moving. Whether it’s inspections at short notice (often the very next day when required) or technical advice on site, Falcon Homes knows support is just a phone call away.

“If I need an inspection tomorrow, more often than not, they’ll be there. That responsiveness is gold dust on a live site. You just don’t get that kind of service from most providers.”


The Verdict: A partnership that delivers

With collaboration spanning three decades, Falcon Homes continues to turn to DBCP for one simple reason: it works. The combination of experience, communication, and a collaborative approach sets DBCP apart.

“They’re far superior to most providers I’ve come across. I’d absolutely recommend them. If you get the chance to work with DBCP… do! Great service, local knowledge, and an efficient, no-fuss process. That’s why I keep going back.”

As Falcon Homes looks ahead to its next site, the trusted partnership with DBCP remains central to its success. It will help Falcon Homes continue to ensure that every new home it builds, is done so with quality, compliance, and confidence from the ground up.

For more information about DBCP and its services, take a look around here.

For details of apprenticeship and job opportunities at DBCP visit our careers page here.

Wirksworth Heritage Centre

Wirksworth Heritage Centre (WHC) was originally opened at the Crown Yard site in 1985 as a local community museum. With the bequest in 2010 of a large heritage building on St. Johns Street – a more accessible location in the town centre – WHC decided to close and relocate.

With parts of the St Johns Street building dating back to the 16th century the new WHC needed a team of experts of board to ensure a successful conversion and renovation of the Grade II listed building.

Listed buildings are considered nationally important and therefore have extra legal protection within the planning system. Listing covers a whole building, including the interior, unless parts of it are specifically excluded in the list description.

With significant planning and conservation restrictions in place, renovating and extending the new site required a team of experts.

DBCP worked closely with Latham’s Architects and with Derek Latham, who not only boasts more than 30 years’ experience of leading the business, but is also a RIBA Client Design Adviser. Derek’s professional opinion and guidance is sought after by many noted bodies, organisations and panels, so his expertise was of great benefit to the project.

A specialist principal contractor was also appointed. Bonsers is a specialist in repair and conservation projects on complex historic buildings.

The building, a three-storey townhouse, is a mix of ages and styles. Years of haphazard internal changes and additions, including being divided into flats, had left the space tricky to use.

Plans for the building included a modern extension to the property to create a public café area. Accessibility was also key to the redevelopment.

Creating accessible space in listed buildings can be difficult as it risks taking away character of the building and removing original features. Within the new WHC building, stairs had to be re-aligned with floor levels to enable accessibility. However, more than 90% of the floorspace has since been made accessible to wheelchair users.

The building also incorporates facilities for teaching school children which meant DBCP had to not only make sure it was fully compliant as a public building, but also incorporated educational building control requirements too.

The close working relationship between DBCP Building Control Manager David Harris, Lathams and Bonsers meant the building was successfully transformed, whilst still complying with planning and conservation requirements.

The new WHC café opened in October 2018. Although a challenge, the project was rewarding and showcased what a partnership approach can achieve.

If you’re restoring or developing a listed building, get in touch with DBCP’s expert team of surveyors for specialist advice and assistance for all your project’s building control needs.

Barn Conversion

The Linked Barn is a prestigious barn conversion developed at Dunston Grange Farm by the two-time LABC award winning bespoke construction firm, Lynnic Associates Ltd. DBCP worked with RIBA Chartered architect Jillian Mitchell, of Project Logistics Architecture and Lynnic Associates from the first sketch to make the vision of the ‘Million Pound House’ come to life.

“I wanted to build a million pound house,” explains Stephen Corrigan, owner Lynnic Associates Ltd.

Lynnic Associates Ltd appointed RIBA Chartered architect Jillian Mitchell, of Project Logistics Architecture to make the vision of the ‘Million Pound House come to life and DBCP worked with the architect and builder from the first sketch.

Built using bespoke, traditional craft methods, the house has been completed to a high standard re-using many of the original construction materials.

It boasts a solid walnut staircase and oak beams which contrast with an ultra-modern cantilever roof and glass walls which join two barns together to create a stunning three bedroom property with large open plan kitchen and living area.

Working closely with the team on a project such as this ensured we could advise on the conversions and ensure that met regulatory standards where both existing and new materials were used.

Being predominantly clay, our local knowledge of the ground conditions assisted with the project. The owner of Lynnic Associates acknowledged “getting services to the site was a nightmare.”

Clay can be an unstable ground material and is known to shrink and expand far more than other types of soil, resulting in subsidence and ground heave.

Providing expert advice on overcoming some of the issues which came to light allowed everything to continue smoothly and each milestone was reached on time.

Barns are almost always of a single-skin construction, meaning there is no cavity between walls. In order to meet Building Regulations Part L, the barn needed an additional wall building to provide the cavity space for the insulation. The property has achieved a ‘B’ energy rating.

Our expert building control surveyors provided guidance in the construction and design of the interior walls which not only brought the building up to standard but allowed the exterior of the property to retain its original character and charm.

For more information on how we can help to get your projects completed on time and to regulatory standards, get in touch with our team of experts.

Single-Storey Extension

“DBCP advised at every step of the way throughout the 10-week build of our kitchen extension. The insulation that was specified by the building control surveyor has resulted in the kitchen being the warmest part of the house. It’s fantastic.”  – Steve and Sally Jagger

Home owners Steve and Sally Jagger wanted to add a single storey extension to the ground floor of the rear of their semi-detached house to create a large open plan, modern kitchen.

Local builder, P & S Services, engaged DBCP at the beginning of the project to advise throughout the build project.

Built in the 1920s, the kitchen of the Chesterfield-based property had been extended once previously. The new extension was built off the existing extension across the back of the property. To blend with the existing extension the new one was fully rendered.

As part of the build, DBCP specified superior insulation and the hard wiring of two smoke alarms to ensure maximum occupant safety and comfort.

Insulation added to both the roof and floor space, resulting in a highly energy efficient room that retains heat.

Steve said: “We are delighted with the additional space the extension has added to our home. The kitchen is now such a versatile living space and incredibly warm, which only highlights how poorly insulated the rest of the house is. That’s next on our list of home improvements.”