How BIM and Planning Know-How Help Architects Unlock Tricky North London Sites

[edit] How BIM and Planning Know-How Help Architects Unlock Tricky North London Sites

You could almost feel the tension in the air—standing with a developer on a narrow corner plot in Barnet, watching buses squeeze past a crumbling boundary wall while he asked, “Can we really fit six flats on here without the planners laughing us out of the room?”

The short answer was yes. But only with a bit of creative manoeuvring, an intimate knowledge of the local planning policies, and—crucially—a well-aimed 3D model to bring the whole idea to life.

This is the stuff that separates box-ticking drawings from architecture that actually gets built in North London.

[edit] Why North London Planning Needs More Than Pretty Sketches

If you’ve ever tried to build in Camden, Hampstead, Finchley or Golders Green, you’ll know planning can feel like a never-ending test: character appraisals, design and access statements, consultation letters from neighbours who remember the Blitz like it was last week.

What you need is more than good taste—you need strategy.

Every borough in North West London has its own quirks. Conservation zones, strategic views, and even tree roots can make or break a proposal. We’ve seen viable homes rejected for less.

This is where design-savvy planning navigation becomes your greatest asset.

[edit] The BIM Advantage (Or, Why 2D Drawings Just Don’t Cut It Anymore)

We once submitted a modest rear extension in Camden. The design was clean, sympathetic, respectful. But the planners came back with concerns about overshadowing. So, we showed them exactly what they’d be approving—in a daylight model built into our BIM software.

Suddenly, the objections evaporated.

With 3D BIM modelling, we can:

• Model the entire street context
• Test light, massing, and scale
• Show planners the design intent—clearly and convincingly
• Spot issues before they cost our clients time and money

And clients? They love it. No more trying to imagine what a floor plan will “feel like.” They walk through the project before a spade hits the ground.

[edit] Beyond the Drawing Board: Why Real-World Knowledge Matters

At DOR Architects, we don’t just draw. We build. Or at least, we understand how buildings go together.

We bring together:

• Planning expertise (including pre-app strategy and use class analysis)
• Build knowledge (so our designs actually get delivered)
• Cost awareness (so clients avoid nasty surprises at tender)

We help property developers maximise GDV, homeowners design spaces that truly support their lives, and every client understand what’s possible—whether that’s a basement under a semi or a six-unit scheme above a shop.

[edit] Case in Point: The Barnet Corner Plot That Got the Green Light

Back to our corner plot in Barnet. The site had already been rejected once. A "poor fit," said the officers. But we took a different approach.

We:

• Built the scheme in full 3D
• Modelled the street context and showed compliance with SPG guidelines
• Refined the roofline to match neighbouring forms
• Reduced bulk without sacrificing unit count
• Provided a daylight/sunlight analysis with the application

It sailed through. Six smart flats. No objections. Full planning granted.

[edit] Final Thoughts: Planning is a Design Challenge, Not Just a Hurdle

At DOR Architects, we believe planning isn’t the enemy of design—it’s the beginning of it. Especially in North London, where every inch matters and every window is someone else’s view.

Whether you're a private homeowner or a savvy developer, using BIM and local planning knowledge isn't a luxury—it's essential.

And sometimes, it's the only thing standing between a dream and a refusal letter.

[edit] About the Author

DOR Architects is a RIBA and ARB registered architectural practice based in North West London. We specialise in residential, mixed-use, and developer-led projects in Camden, Barnet, Golders Green, Hampstead and beyond. Learn more at https://www.dorarch.com.