Category: Residential

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.

Matlock Spa

Matlock Spa development is a challenging redevelopment of the former Cawdor quarry site, on the edge the Peak District National Park, designed by London based architects David Morley Architects (DMA) for site owners, Rifkind Associates.

The site is vast and varied, boasting a topography of cliff faces, lakes and open fields of flood plains fronting onto the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail, plus a Site of Special Scientific Interest with derelict historic machinery and warehouses.

The development is a series of ‘spa’ villages bringing new life to the former Quarry, which was abandoned in the 1950s and is located within the Derbyshire Dales. The scheme is all about regeneration and creating a long-term legacy.

Speaking in The Architects’ Journal, Charles Rifkind, founder, Rifkind Associates, said: “At Matlock we saw an opportunity to demonstrate a bold alternative to the identikit housing estates seen all over the UK, where directors and shareholders so often drive down quality and longevity in favour of excessive short-term profits. We took over the site in 2001 and spent a long time unlocking complex legal issues and working out how the remediation of Cawdor Quarry could be made viable. An excellent working relationship with Derbyshire Dales District Council helped unlock the current masterplan.”

As Derbyshire Dales District Council’s recommended provider of building control services, DBCP was the natural choice to work alongside main contractor on Phase 1 of the Matlock Spa development – Gateway Spa and part of Crescent Spa.

Phase 1 consists of 58 luxurious home dwellings, comprising three four-storey apartment blocks and 15 houses. With a view to future energy efficiency measures, air source heating was also installed in the houses.

Due to the nature of the site an engineered solution was required for the buildings’ foundations. Adam Normington, DBCP’s experienced building control surveyor who oversaw the project, explained: “Foundations are obviously crucial to any building development, and at Matlock Spa they used a technique called Vibro piling which reduces settlement and provides an adequate bearing stratum for the building’s foundation.”

Having the apartments within the development also meant there was a heavy emphasis on compartmentation and fire resistance and the use of non-combustible materials on the façade.

Ensuring that all fire safety measures were correctly put in place, Adam worked closely with the Construction Site Managers, Edward Dakin and Rob Osborne, and Design Manager David Liew as well as Project Architect Karol Quinn of DMA.

Working collaboratively from the project outset ensured DBCP could advise accordingly and prevent any major issues, from occurring during the project build phase.

Adam explained: “We worked really well with both the architects and the contractors on this first phase to ensure that the buildings within this development were future-proofed, particularly in relation to fire and fire hazards.

“DBCP’s pre-application planning advice provides a proactive approach to building regulations and we always advise clients to contact us sooner rather than later to mitigate any future risks or problems with building design.”

The eventual five-phase scheme will redevelop Cawdor’s post-industrial landscape into a picturesque new town. Once completed, the five new villages will boast their own distinctive character and be arranged in a series of crescents, woodland lodges, courtyard cottages and villas, all built out of the same natural stone and slate, bringing consistency across all of the dwellings.

DBCP is now working on the next stage of the development, Matlock Spa Lofts, which is due for completion in 2022.

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.

Beauchief Homes’ Stonegravels site, Chesterfield

“In my whole career this is one of the best sites I have ever visited. The standard of finish was excellent.” Simon Rimington Building Control Surveyor, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership.

Beauchief Homes’ Stonegravels’ site in Chesterfield really stood out for us. The developer’s commitment to both using local suppliers as well as going above and beyond building control regulations, has created affordable homes that not only look good, but are safe and secure for their owners.

As well as DBCP, Beauchief Homes also used local tradesman and Chesterfield-based Jacksons Builder Centre and Sheffield-based timber frame manufacturer Oakworth Homes, to construct the nine three bedrooms houses and 10 two-bedroom flats on the 0.34 hectare site.

Mike Hassall, Managing Director of Beauchief Homes Ltd explained: “We always try to keep everything local when we’re developing a site. We would rather forgo some profits in order to achieve this. We believe that local knowledge and local people collectively working to generate new homes for their locality results in a better end product.”

From conception to completion Beauchief Homes involved DBCP in its development of timber framed houses and flats. Detailed plans were submitted at an early stage, providing adequate information to our building control surveyors. Commencement meetings were also undertaken at the start of the site to ensure both parties were aware of the inspections required.

One of the key benefits of a timber frame is the predictable build programme. This meant DBCP was able to ensure that inspections were aligned with the site-programme.

It was important to Mike that the buildings all met the highest fire and safety standards and when there were any questions relating to the building integrity or selected products, Mike immediately deferred to Simon.

Mike said: “Following recent high-profile tragedies elsewhere, we were focused on ensuring that all products from our suppliers were compliant or better. Where any ambiguity arose in certification or there was a lack of clarity about that compliance, I immediately turned to Simon for the decision as I knew he was at the forefront of the research and regulations. The diligent overseeing of the project by DBCP and Simon’s willingness to get involved in problem solving, along with flexibility and ease of communication helped enormously with the flow of the build.”

As well as being safe and secure, the homes all achieved excellent EPC ratings. Additionally, the adoption of robust details for the party walls and floors within the flats, meant that sound test results far exceeded minimum requirements.

The off-site manufacture and use of timber frames, also helped Beauchief Homes achieve a solid record of responsible environmental commitment and performance for the development, including:

  • Sourcing timber from managed forests (Oakworth holds the PEFC Chain of Custody certification)
  • Protecting air and water quality near the manufacturing site
  • Reducing, reusing, and recycling manufacturing and finished product waste materials
  • Collaborating with others by listening to and acting on constructive ideas to demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainable, environmentally friendly construction

Simon praised the relationship between Beauchief Homes and all its suppliers, saying: “The partnership between Beauchief Homes, Oakworth Homes, the architect, onsite sub contractors and DBCP was second to none. This has resulted in the delivery of a truly exceptional end product.”

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.”