Building Safety Act | Building Regulations Principal Designer

The Building Safety Act reinforces something we’ve always believed.

Successful projects don’t happen by chance. They are the result of early collaboration, thoughtful design and clear technical coordination.

While the Building Safety Act has introduced new duties, including the role of the Building Regulations Principal Designer, the principles behind the legislation are not new to us. They reflect the way we’ve always approached our projects.

At Laurence Associates, our architects, planners, technical designers and domestic energy assessors work together from the earliest stages of every project. Rather than viewing planning, technical design and Building Regulations compliance as separate exercises, we believe they should inform one another from the outset.

By coordinating design decisions early, we can identify potential issues before they become problems on site, helping clients avoid unnecessary redesign, delays and additional costs. It’s an approach that not only supports compliance with the Building Regulations but also leads to better, more considered buildings.

As Building Regulations Principal Designers, our role is to plan, manage and monitor the design process, ensuring Building Regulations requirements are considered throughout the evolution of a project. For our clients, this means greater confidence that the project they receive planning permission for is the project that can be successfully built.

Whether you’re extending your home, converting a traditional building or creating a bespoke new home, good design is about more than appearance. It’s about ensuring every decision contributes to a safe, compliant and buildable outcome.

The Building Safety Act may have formalised these responsibilities, but for us, they simply reinforce a way of working we’ve believed in for many years.

If you’re embarking on a project and would like to understand how early technical coordination and Principal Designer services can benefit your project, we’d be pleased to discuss how our integrated team can support you.

Truro: 01872 225 259

Exeter: 01392 979 135

Email: hello@laurenceassociates.co.uk

All posts

Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

Laurence Associates Attends Cornwall Council Planning Agents Forum

Small Housing Schemes

Work Experience Spotlight: Elsie’s Week at Laurence Associates

Every Project Has More Than One Story to Tell

International Women’s Day at Laurence Associates

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Laurence Associates at Business Fest South West Westpoint

Unlocking Potential Through Replacement

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

St Piran’s Day 2026 – Celebrating Cornwall’s Heritage

Architecture Vogue – Enys Hill

Successful Appeal Secured on Caravan Use and Building Definition

Certificates of Lawfulness Explained

A positive appeal decision for Laurence Associates

Outline Planning Consent Secured for Two New Dwellings

Planning and Designing Padel Courts for the UK’s Fastest Growing Sport

Housing Schemes in Cornwall That Truly Work for People

Creating Seamless Indoor Outdoor Living Spaces

Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 – March

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2024

Outline Approval for Three New Homes in St Keyne

Rural Outbuilding Conversion Secures Planning Consent

Appeal Success Near St Ives

Planning Permission Success for Barn Conversion

Graphisoft UK Awards 2024 – Small Project Of The Year: Under £5 Million

Planning Appeals Changes from April 2026

Considering a Home Extension?

Eco development on the sand dunes at Hayle

Planning Appeal Success in Cornwall National Landscape

How to Find a Building Plot

Rural Enterprise – Helping Rural Business Flourish

Coastal Cornish Home Design | Contemporary Architecture

Laurence Associates at Kernow Construction Club

Traditional Barn Conversion Approved | Building Regulations Success

Construction Excellence Southwest Summit 2026

Laurence Associates Featured in Salt Magazine

Securing Planning Permission – Greenbank Hotel Falmouth

Planning Approval Secured for Multi-Generational Home in Feock

New premises & 30 Years in the business

Cape Cornwall Club Redevelopment | Laurence Associates

Celebrating 17 Years of Dedication: James Vivian, Associate Chartered Architectural Technologist

Conditional Planning Permission Secured for Five Homes in Bodmin

Feock replacement dwelling project overview

Laurence Associates Expands with New Office in Exeter

Campsite Certificate and Replacement Dwelling Approval Cornwall

CESW Summit 2026

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Cornwall Local Plan Update 2028 and What It Means for Development

Replacement Dwelling Approved Following Class Q Success

3D Modelling an image speaks a thousand words

Final Days at the Devon County Show for Laurence Associates

New Project Showcase | A New Collection of Laurence Associates Projects

Laurence Associates to Attend Business Fest

Architect Jobs in Cornwall | Architect Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Why Involve Landscape Architects in Biodiversity Net Gain Proposals

Restronguet Point – a room with a view

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Building Regulations Drawings: Why Detail Matters

Laurence Associates Returning to the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Planning Appeals Explained | What to Do If Your Planning Application Is Refused

Architecture Vogue – Eyebrid

A Guide to Our Planning Application Process

Building Towards a Greener Future: Our Earth Day Commitment

Tom Evans Promoted to Junior Planner

Current Vacancies – Town Planners

Ana Coelho promoted to Senior Chartered Architect

Laurence Associates Attending Stithians Show 2026

Planning Success in Tintagel

Breaking Ground: New Project Progress

Building Safety Act | Building Regulations Principal Designer

Neighbourhood Plan Regulation Changes 2026

Change of Use Approved: Takeaway to Residential in Cornwall

From sketch to reality the power of visualisation in design development

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Devon County Show 2026

Replacement Dwelling in lieu of Class Q

Rural Exception Scheme Approved in Perran Downs

Redruth Housing Scheme Approved

Farm Diversification Opportunities in the Southwest

Agricultural Barn Development Advice

Planning Committee Success: Replacement Dwelling Approved

Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership – Richard Marsden

Home Renovation Progress Falmouth

Cornwall Building Regulations Update Event 2026

East Allington Permission in Principle success for five new homes

Architecture Vogue – Humble Cottage

Waterside Lookout

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Design Director

Seamless Single Storey Extensions That Complement Your Home

Regen Planning Conference

Progress Update: Shaping a Bespoke Home

Building for Growth

Business Cornwall – March 2026

Vickery Holman Market Review

Design and Placemaking PPG out now

Should I use an Architect?

Section 73 Approval for Revised Bungalow Scheme in St Erth

Where Design Meets Detail: The Role of Materials in Architecture

Creating Flow and Connection Within the Home

Class Q Planning Permission

Architecture Vogue – Smallridge Bros

Property Development Forum

Best of Houzz 2017 Design Award

A Collaborative Approach to Creating Meaningful Spaces

James Vivian Promoted to Associate Director

Property Development Forum

Bespoke Architectural Design Process

The Experts

Replacement Dwellings – Pushing the boundaries of Architecture

Grid Connection Reform and what it means for Renewable Energy Projects

Architect Jobs in Cornwall | Architect Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Planning Consent Secured for Methane-Capture Facility

Four Dwellings Approved Following Outline Consent

Laurence Associates attending Kernow Construction Club

Celebrating 20 Years of Creativity and Leadership with Jason Pledger

Appeal Success: Caravan Site Approved in Cornwall

Self-Build and Custom Build Homes with Laurence Associates

National Planning Policy Framework

Planning Approved for 5 Unrestricted Rural Homes

Barn Conversions Under Class Q and Class R

Inside A Coastal Cornwall Residential Project

Current Vacancies – Senior Landscape Architect

Building for Growth

Appeal Success – Removing Occupancy Condition

Town Planner Vacancy – Planning Careers UK

Sensitive Dwelling Alterations Approved by Council

From Sketch to Reality: Architectural Visualisation

Summer in the City Networking Event | Laurence Associates Exeter

Conversion in the Countryside: Securing Planning for a Rural Bothy

Laurence Associates Attending Townsend Landowner Seminar

Planning Approval for Sauna in Protected Landscape

Porthcothan Site Update: Residential Planning Progress

Coastal Home Design in Devon & Cornwall

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2025

Team Attends Michelmore’s Property Development Club in Exeter

Laurence Associates to Exhibit at Devon County Show 2026

Architecture Vogue – Maen Valley

Appeal Success for Agricultural Workers Dwelling Near Penzance

Outline Planning Consent for Hotel and Restaurant Development in Cornwall

Energy Statements: Why They Matter for Planning Applications

Visit Laurence Associates at the Devon County Show This Week

Designing for Approval or Designing to Build?

Laurence Associates Sponsors Rosudgeon and Kenneggy Cricket Club

Designing for Legacy, Lifestyle and Longevity

Permission in Principle Secured for 4 to 9 Dwellings in North Hill

Non-Material Amendment Success

Energy Consultancy Services at Laurence Associates

Planning Permission for Community Garden Redevelopment in Newquay

Planning Permission Success for Access, Parking & Facilities

Principal Designer Services | CDM 2015 Compliance

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

A considered evolution of a familiar form

Current Progress on Site in Falmouth

Planning Permission Secured for Change of Use to self-contained letting unit in Penzance

Affordable Housing Success

RIBA Safe & Healthy Environments CPD Completed

BNG Exemption for Small Development Sites

Attending Women in Business Breakfast at Truro Golf Club

Master Planning That Creates Places for the Future

A Tailored Approach to Conceptual Design

Planning Committee Reforms in England What You Need to Know

Supporting the Interior Design Journey Through Architecture

Cornwall Council ‘Call For Sites’

Natural Light

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026 Architecture and Planning Support

SEC1 Compliance & Energy-Efficient Homes in Cornwall

Why Part T Is Changing Commercial Design More Than You Think

What does the new Part O of the Building Regulations mean for a new home?

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Designing Homes Shaped by Landscape and Views in Rural Cornwall

Planning Approved for Farmhouse Extension on Bodmin Moor

Powering the Future: Repowering Wind Turbines Across the UK

Design Appraisals UK | Site Feasibility and Planning Assessments

Cornwall Council Housing Requirement – Laurence Associates

Planning Appeal Success for Equestrian Building

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?

Exploring Contemporary Materials and Colour in Cornish Architecture

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Planning Director

Adaptive Reuse Architecture | Blending Heritage with Modern Design

Architecture Vogue – Higher Harlyn

Barn Conversion Approved West Cornwall

Planning consent secured for replacement wind turbine

Planning Appeal Success for Permission in Principle Scheme

Securing Five Unrestricted Homes in Mawgan Porth

Laurence Associates Supports the Peloton Charity Golf Day 2026

How to Finance a Self-Build

Seaside Sensation

Class Q Conversions: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Buildings

Planning Permission Secured for Padstow Conservation Area Outbuildings

Work Experience Week: Exploring Architecture and Structural Engineering

Why Do a Self Build?

Current Vacancies – Planner / Senior Planner

Contemporary Roof Extension in Cornwall | Sustainable Residential Design

Architecture Vogue – Greenbank Hotel

Functional Living in a Contemporary Cornish Home

Happy Easter from Laurence Associates

Understanding the Design Brief Service at Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates prepares for Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Cornish Replacement Dwelling Submitted for Building Regulations

River Camel Nutrient Neutrality Update 2026: Bodmin Removed

Community Sponsorship St Just RFC

Committee Success Secures Permission in Principle for New Homes

Planning Appeal Success to Building Regulations Approval

Securing Planning Permission – Community Hall Poundstock

Permission in Principle Success in St Austell

Elmhurst Energy CPD

Housing Appeal Success in West Cornwall

Penzance Business Breakfast

Construction Excellence Southwest Cornwall Summer Boat Trip

Our First Newsletter Is Live | Latest Projects, News & Events

Grand Designs

A Busy Week of Progress Across the Practice

Planning changes from April 2026: why expert advice matters more than ever

Architecture Vogue – Sand Dunes

Grade II Listed Farmstead Planning Success

Laurence Associates Attending Ashfords Business Breakfast

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Planning Permission Secured in Rock Cornwall

Navigating Building Regulations in Cornwall: A Design Led Approach

Securing Consent for 11 Bespoke Holiday Units in Mawgan Porth

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning