Rapid Plans

A Northern Beaches Development Application (DA) is a formal request to your Local Council to carry out building works that are subject to your council's Development Control Plan (DCP) and Local Environmental Plan(LEP).

A Development Application generally consists of a collection of documents (including application forms, plans, and consultants’ reports if required) and is submitted to your local Council for assessment and approval for your project.

For some projects, the development application process can be swift and simple. However, for more complex applications, it can be a lengthy, time-consuming, and frustrating process.

Having a compliant design for quick & easy approval

All proposed building works need specific drawings and documentation to be submitted for approval. Each council has a different set of regulations that need to be adhered to which are listed within their DCPs.

These covenants dictate the building setbacks, site coverage, aesthetics, etc. of your building. If you are wishing to push the boundaries of the DCP, it can still be approved but it may need assessment on its merits against the performance criteria.

Action Plans Building Design is a team of experienced and qualified Building Designers who will design your project in the best possible way so that it will be approved by the council. If after their initial assessment, we believe there will be any complications with your proposed design we will advise you and give you the option to adjust the design so it will comply and get approved or proceed with your original plans at your own risk.

If we guarantee it will get approved and the council comes back with any issues, Action Plans will adjust the drawings free of charge to comply.

Steps after the DA is lodged

Generally, after a DA is lodged, the process is as follows:

Your DA will be placed on public exhibition. This allows interested parties, such as your neighbors or local businesses, to view your development plans and raise any concerns.

Council assesses your DA against the relevant controls, including State Environmental Planning Policies, Local Environmental Plans, and Development Control Plans.

If your DA fails to comply with one of the controls, this doesn’t mean it will be automatically refused. Council will undertake a merit assessment to decide whether the positives of your approval outweigh the negatives.

If your DA is successful, you will be granted development consent. There may be some conditions of consent imposed, such as works that must be carried out before occupation or materials that can be used.

If your DA is unsuccessful, you can request for the council to review the determination (with or without amendments to your original DA) or lodge an appeal at the Land and Environment Court.

Action Plans have an in-depth understanding of local councils and The Building Codes of Australia, second to none within the building design industry. We are constantly ensuring we are up-to-date with industry changes and we work closely with you to ensure your design requirements are met and guarantee council approval. We aim to make the process as easy and smooth as possible for all our clients.

Are you planning a development project in the beautiful Northern Beaches area? Look no further! Rapid Plans is here to streamline and simplify your Northern Beaches Development Application process.

At Rapid Plans, we specialize in providing comprehensive and efficient development application services tailored to the unique requirements of the Northern Beaches. Our team of experienced professionals understands the local regulations and guidelines, ensuring a smooth and successful application process.

Why Choose Rapid Plans?

Expertise in Northern Beaches Development: Our team has in-depth knowledge of the Northern Beaches area, including its zoning regulations, building codes, and planning policies. We'll guide you through every step, from initial concept design to obtaining council approval.

Customized and Detailed Plans: We believe that clear and accurate plans are essential for a successful development application. Our skilled architects and designers will work closely with you to create detailed and visually compelling plans that showcase your vision while complying with all the necessary requirements.

Streamlined Application Process: We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to development projects. Our team will efficiently compile and submit your application, ensuring that all necessary documentation and supporting materials are included. We'll navigate through the paperwork and liaise with the council on your behalf, saving you valuable time and effort.

Responsive Customer Service: At Rapid Plans, we prioritize excellent customer service. Our dedicated team is always available to answer your questions, provide updates on your application, and address any concerns you may have. We strive to keep you informed and involved throughout the entire process.

Proven Track Record: With years of experience in the industry, we have successfully handled numerous development applications in the Northern Beaches area. Our track record speaks for itself, and we take pride in our ability to deliver positive outcomes for our clients.

Rapid Plans has a highly experienced team of building designers in Sydney and interior designers who can help you with any size project whether it be a small extension or a full-scale renovation it’s our job to make sure that you have the right advice and support throughout the whole process. For more information call us today at (02) 9905 5000.

Things to Consider When Design a Family-Friendly Home

So we’ve already considered so many parts of the house and the functions that it might have. But there are lots of other things to consider when you’re thinking about your family home. 

Here’s a brain dump of some other ideas: 

Think about the window dressings you select for kids' bedrooms, especially when they are very young. Try and keep kids' rooms blocked out to help them sleep longer in the mornings. In my experience kids can wake up at the hint of daylight so try and make sure you have good blackout window dressings with minimal gaps to allow daylight to come in. 

If you are doing a new build it’s also a really good idea to carefully plan the location of water pipes in bedrooms - particularly children’s bedrooms. Having pipes located overhead or next to kids' bedrooms or babies’ nurseries can wake them in the mornings or during nap time. And you never want to wake a sleeping baby! So if these can be located elsewhere this is ideal at the planning stage. 

Hooks in bathrooms at age-appropriate heights to encourage hanging of wet towels

Adjustable shower heads to help reach smaller kids

Always have a bath in a family home

Consider some kind of door to block off sleeping zones from living and kitchen zones. This helps if parents are getting up early to exercise or get to work and need to make tea or other things in the kitchen without waking up the rest of the family. Also good when you have younger kids who go to bed before the rest of the family so the sounds of nighttime dinners and TV watching can be diminished. 

Make sure you think about privacy, particularly in bedrooms. I once had a neighbor with a teenage daughter who had her bedroom upstairs facing the street. If she forgot to close her window dressings in the evening I was able to see her getting changed, which you don’t want for your kids and particularly not for your teenage daughters! 

Think about the safety of visitors. Make sure young kids are not able to easily open the door

If you have a second story on your house make sure your children would be safe to play unsupervised upstairs. Ensure windows are compliant and not able to be opened, and make sure there are no dangerous climbable balconies. You want your home to be a safe place for everyone to be and you don’t want to always be worrying that if you are downstairs and can’t see your kids that they may be in danger if they are out of your sight. 

Underfloor heating in bathrooms is a must in family homes (if budget allows). Young kids (especially) take their time having baths or showers and then getting dressed and keeping them warm via underfloor heating is a great luxury for everyone. Underfloor heating is also great for parents who have to sit on cold tiles during winter while bath time happens and any splashes that happen tend to try a lot faster on a heated floor as well. Plus I always find my underfloor heating great for warming up my clothes while I take a shower :) 

Are there enough toilets in the house? Even if you only have room for one bathroom can you squeeze an additional toilet into the laundry or under the stairs (or elsewhere)? A family of more than a couple of people will always benefit from more than one toilet if it’s possible to include this. Larger families may need even more than 2!! 

So I hope this post has given you lots of ideas to think about when planning out the renovation of your home or the creation of your new build. 

The most important thing when planning a family home is to think through all the aspects of your day-to-day life and then try and account for these in the way you design the function of your home. The more a home can be functional and organized the more smoothly your family life will run. The agonizing morning routine will become slightly easier because everyone will know where their things are and when kids start getting home from school each afternoon they will know exactly where things are to put away. 

Overall it’s important that your home is designed in a way that works for your family now and as it grows and gets older. 

Rapid Plans is a small, friendly, and fully independent design company based in Brookvale. Our Architectural Drafting Sydney has extensive knowledge in the development and sale of residential properties, through to building projects for commercial use. Our focus is on providing quality housing solutions at competitive prices, with a personal approach from our team that ensures you receive the best service possible.

You have been there: invited over to someone’s house for dinner, school meeting, or party and it all just flows. The perfect family home isn’t magic. These homeowners planned their remodel around their family and lifestyle. 

Here are some key things to include in your home remodel that your family will love.

Sufficient Storage

Clutter, chaos, and disarray can result from a lack of storage space as you navigate toys, school bags and books, sporting equipment, and everything else that comes with family life.

Practical storage creates organizational systems, prevents clutter from accumulating on surfaces, and in corners. It’s essential for keeping a sense of calm in the home. A built-in buffet can provide useful storage in a dining or living room.

Consider investing in custom cabinetry with a mix of enclosed storage and open shelving in your living room. You may exhibit all of your favorite items here while adding a seamless finish that complements the rest of your home.

Growth Plan

Children develop into full-grown adults. Consider how spaces will be used in the future when designing a remodel or new build with small children.

When the kids outgrow the single bed and there isn’t enough room to fit in a queen bed these rooms become an issue. Planning for the future now will save you teenage drama (well some) later.

Walk-In Pantry

A walk-in pantry is an absolute necessity in the kitchen of a busy family home. With more remodels featuring open-plan living areas, the kitchen takes center stage. It can keep your kitchen neat by storing all of your small appliances and serving as extra food preparation space when entertaining.

Consider a sink, dishwasher drawer or complete dishwasher, as well as lots of open and closed storage in the area visible from the open door. Drawers for storing food items are essential. They keep everything neatly packed away and objects are quick to retrieve, which is especially useful when you’re in a hurry.

A walk-in pantry is no longer merely for food storage. When entertaining, it’s a place to prepare drinks, snacks, and store items for the next course. Include counter space for food preparation.

Lighting

Everything from a home’s design, atmosphere, and functionality to its internal temperature is affected by light. The amount and quality of light we receive in our living areas, like the weather, influences our mood. Paint finishes and color selections, in conjunction with lighting, are critical to enhancing the light and mood of a room.

There is so much to consider when it comes to lighting that it is smart to consult an interior designer or lighting designer. This should preferably be done prior to construction, at the same time as your architectural designs, to enable for all essential wiring to be roughed in, switch points to be considered, and light fixtures to be planned.

Your designer will be able to incorporate room orientation, window and skylight sizes to determine how much lighting you need in a room, the quality of light (warm or cool), and how to add special lighting for unique purposes.

Space Design

The living or family room is one of the most significant places in a family home because it is where everyone gathers and where many different activities take place. Space planning is essential. It assists you in determining exactly what furniture you will require and which sizes and forms would perform best in the space.

Consider what you and your family do there, and make sure there is enough acceptable seating and surface area to set a plate, a stack of books, or a drink down.

Multipurpose Rooms

The lockdown taught us that multipurpose rooms are no longer an option in our homes. Zoned rooms and spaces that may be used for several functions are crucial in a family home. 

During the holiday season, we need these rooms for different purposes than we did during the lockdown. Before, we worked/studied from home on the dining room table. Well, that table needs to host big family celebrations. 

When planning a remodel, think about these rooms. Is a second living room where adults can retire in the evenings needed?  Or a teen retreat where your child can hang out with their friends and play games, but which can also be turned off and utilized as a quiet study room at other times. Does your guest room serve as a hobby room?

The more you plan for these activities in the early stages, the more seamlessly they will integrate and transition when needed.

Get the Perfect Family Home!

With some intelligent planning, you can remodel your home into a place that will evolve and grow with your family’s needs. Architectural Drafting Sydney has helped hundreds of local homeowners with their designs and transformed their homes. When you are ready, tell us about your project ideas. We always have time to give you an estimate and information.

Rapid Plans