wm-design

Your First Idea to Completion

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:48:17 GMT

How we guide you through your project:

Starting a project can feel overwhelming? Whether you are planning a new home, an extension, renovation or larger development, there are a lot of decisions to make, from the initial design through to planning, construction and completion.

Our role is to guide you through that process, bringing together design, technical knowledge and project coordination to help turn your ideas into a building that works for you.

We break the process down into clear stages from the RIBA Plan of Work , so you know what is happening, what we are responsible for and what you can expect from us.

Stage 0 – Getting your project started

Before the design work begins, we get the project set up properly.

This includes the initial admin, establishing the project requirements and making sure we have the information we need to get started. This early stage is important because a well-organised project gives us a clear understanding of what needs to happen and when.

Stage 1 – Understanding your property

Before we start designing, we need to understand the existing building and site.

We carry out a measured survey of the property, along with the necessary site checks. This gives us an accurate basis from which to develop the design. The survey information allows us to understand the existing dimensions, layout and constraints of the property rather than relying on assumptions.

Images from surveys, taken by our team.

Stage 2 – Developing the concept

This is where your ideas start to become a design.

Working from your brief, requirements and aspirations, we prepare concept design drawings for you to review. At this stage, we explore how the spaces could work, how the building could look and how your requirements can be brought together into a coherent design.

We work with you to develop the proposal until we reach an agreed design direction.

Your brief matters , the better we understand what you want to achieve, the better we can design for you. It helps us understand your priorities, how you want to use the space, your budget, your timescale and what is important to you. You don't need to have all the answers at the beginning, part of our role is to ask the right questions and help you establish what you actually need from the project.

3D view of a proposed design for two properties.

Stage 3 – Planning

Once the design has been developed, we can move towards planning.

Planning application-

We develop the design sufficiently to prepare and submit a Planning Application on your behalf. We also deal with relevant queries from the planning authority and other consultees that may arise during the process. Our aim is to make the planning process as straightforward as possible for you, while ensuring the proposals are clearly communicated and supported by the appropriate drawings and information.

Please note: the discharge of planning conditions is not included unless specifically agreed as part of our appointment.

Planning Portal Anglesey logo - https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales

Ordnance Survey information-

We also prepare the relevant Ordnance Survey (OS) location plan for the planning application.

Stage 4 – Turning the design into a buildable project

Getting planning permission is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the design process. The next step is developing the proposal into a detailed technical design that can be built.

Technical design and Building Regulations-

We prepare the technical drawings, details and layouts needed for Building Regulations approval.

Construction floor plan and section, showing the detail and structural aspects.

This involves coordinating with other consultants, such as the engineers who are involved in the detailed design of the project.

We also respond to queries raised by Building Control and develop the information required by the appointed contractor to carry out the works on site. This is where the project moves from “what could we build?” to “how are we going to build it?”

Principal Designer and Health & Safety-

Where applicable, we undertake the CDM 2015 Principal Designer duties and prepare the Pre-Construction Health & Safety Plan. Health and safety should be considered from the earliest stages of a project, rather than being something addressed once construction has already started.

Our role is to help identify and manage risks through the design process and coordinate the relevant health and safety information.

Stage 5 – Preparing for construction

With the design developed, we can help you prepare for the construction stage.

Energy calculations and technical requirements-

Depending on the project, calculations such as SAP ( Standard Assessment Procedure ) or EPC-related information may be required as part of Building Regulations approval.

Where these services are required, we coordinate the appropriate information and consultants.

Tender and construction information-

We can also prepare a full schedule of works and tender information for the project. This gives contractors the information they need to price the proposed works and allows you, as the client, to compare quotations on a more consistent basis. Where appropriate, we can also coordinate with a Quantity Surveyor or other cost consultant.

Supporting you during construction-

Once construction begins, our involvement can continue through the build. For projects where this service is included, we attend site and progress meetings to review progress and discuss issues arising during construction.

Two projects on site showing trusses (left) and masonry construction with a large beam opening for a window (right).

Construction rarely goes exactly according to plan, so having your architect involved can provide valuable support when questions or unexpected issues arise.

We can help interpret the drawings, coordinate with the contractor and keep the design intent of the project in view.

Stage 6 – Completion and handover

As the project reaches completion, we help bring the process to a close.

This includes the handover of the building and, where applicable, the preparation and issue of the required Building Safety Act (Wales) Competence Declaration before the Final Certificate can be issued.

The new Building Safety requirements place greater emphasis on competence, responsibility and maintaining appropriate information throughout the project. For clients, this means that choosing the right professionals and keeping good records throughout the project is more important than ever.

Country house featuring modern extensions, a custom glasshouse, and a standalone timber outbuilding.

Stage 7 – After you move in

Our involvement doesn't necessarily have to end when the building is complete.

Where included within our appointment, we can carry out a post-occupancy review once you have had the opportunity to use the building. This gives us the chance to understand how the completed space is working for you in practice and identify any issues that may need to be addressed.

Luxurious ultra-modern coastal residence featuring striking curved glass walls and chic, sun-filled.

A complete service, from idea to reality. From the first conversation about your ideas through to completion, our aim is to make the architectural process clearer, more manageable and less daunting.

Planning a project?

Whether you're thinking about an extension, renovation, new home or larger development, getting architectural advice early can help you understand what is possible, what information is needed and what the project is likely to involve.

Start with your ideas. We'll help you work out the next steps.

O'ch Syniad Cyntaf i'r Diwedd

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:18:53 GMT

Sut rydyn am arwain chi trwy eich prosiect:

Mae dechrau prosiect yn gallu teimlo’n eithaf llethol? Ddim otch os ydych chi’n cynllunio cartref newydd, estyniad, gwaith adnewyddu neu ddatblygiad mwy, mae yna gymaint o benderfyniadau i’w gwneud - o’r dyluniad cychwynnol drwodd i gynllunio, adeiladu a chwblhau’r gwaith.

Ein rôl ni yw eich arwain drwy’r broses, gan gyfuno dylunio, gwybodaeth dechnegol a chydlynu’r prosiect i helpu i droi eich syniadau’n adeilad sy’n gweithio i chi.

Rydyn ni’n rhannu’r broses yn gamau clir, yn seiliedig ar Gynllun Gwaith RIBA , fel eich bod chi’n gwybod beth sy’n digwydd, beth yw ein cyfrifoldebau ni a beth allwch chi ei ddisgwyl gennym ni.

Cam 0 – Dechrau ar eich prosiect

Cyn i’r gwaith dylunio ddechrau, rydyn ni’n sicrhau bod y prosiect wedi’i drefnu’n iawn.

Mae hyn yn cynnwys y gwaith gweinyddol cychwynnol, sefydlu gofynion y prosiect a sicrhau bod gennym yr holl wybodaeth sydd ei hangen arnom i ddechrau. Mae’r cam cynnar hwn yn bwysig oherwydd mae prosiect sydd wedi’i drefnu’n dda yn rhoi dealltwriaeth glir i ni o beth sydd angen digwydd a pryd.

Cam 1 – Deall eich eiddo

Cyn i ni ddechrau dylunio, mae angen i ni ddeall yr adeilad a’r safle presennol.

Rydyn ni’n cynnal arolwg mesuredig, ynghyd â’r gwiriadau safle angenrheidiol. Mae hyn yn rhoi sail gywir i ni ddatblygu’r dyluniad. Mae’r wybodaeth o’r arolwg yn ein helpu i ddeall dimensiynau, cynllun a chyfyngiadau presennol yr eiddo, yn hytrach na dibynnu ar dybiaethau.

Lluniau o arolygon, a dynnwyd gan ein tîm.

Cam 2 – Datblygu’r cysyniad

Dyma lle mae eich syniadau’n dechrau troi’n ddyluniad.

Gan ddefnyddio eich brîff, eich gofynion a’ch syniadau, rydyn ni’n creu lluniadau cysyniad i chi edrych drwyddyn nhw a rhoi eich barn.

Ar y cam hwn, rydyn ni’n edrych ar sut gall y gofod weithio, sut gall yr adeilad edrych a sut gallwn ni ddod â’ch holl syniadau at ei gilydd mewn dyluniad sy’n gweithio i chi. Rydyn ni’n gweithio gyda chi i ddatblygu’r dyluniad nes ein bod ni’n hapus â’r cyfeiriad rydyn ni’n mynd iddo.

Mae eich brîff yn bwysig, y mwyaf rydyn ni’n deall am yr hyn rydych chi am ei gyflawni, y gorau y gallwn ni ddylunio ar eich cyfer.

Mae eich brîff yn ein helpu i ddeall eich blaenoriaethau, sut rydych chi eisiau defnyddio’r gofod, eich cyllideb, eich amserlen a beth sy’n bwysig i chi. Does dim rhaid i chi wybod popeth o’r dechrau — rhan o’n gwaith ni yw gofyn y cwestiynau cywir a’ch helpu i weithio allan beth sydd ei angen or prosiect.

3D o ddyluniad arfaethedig ar gyfer dau eiddo.

Cam 3 – Cynllunio

Unwaith y bydd y dyluniad wedi datblygu, gallwn symud ymlaen i’r cam cynllunio.

Cais cynllunio-

Rydyn ni’n datblygu’r dyluniad ddigon i baratoi a chyflwyno Cais Cynllunio ar eich rhan.

Rydyn ni hefyd yn delio ag unrhyw gwestiynau perthnasol gan yr awdurdod cynllunio neu ymgynghorwyr eraill a all godi yn ystod y broses. Ein nod yw gwneud y broses gynllunio mor syml â phosib i chi, gan sicrhau bod y cynigion yn glir ac yn cael eu cefnogi gan y lluniadau a’r wybodaeth briodol.

Sylwch: nid yw rhyddhau amodau cynllunio wedi’i gynnwys oni bai ein bod wedi cytuno’n benodol ar hyn fel rhan o’n penodiad.

Logo Porth Cynllunio Ynys Môn - https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales

Gwybodaeth Arolwg Ordnans-

Rydyn ni hefyd yn paratoi’r cynllun lleoliad Arolwg Ordnans (AO) perthnasol ar gyfer y cais cynllunio.

Cam 4 – Troi’r dyluniad yn brosiect y gellir ei adeiladu

Mae cael caniatâd cynllunio yn garreg filltir bwysig, ond nid dyna ddiwedd y broses ddylunio. Y cam nesaf yw datblygu’r cynnig yn ddyluniad technegol manwl y gellir ei adeiladu.

Dyluniad technegol a Rheoliadau Adeiladu-

Rydyn ni’n paratoi’r lluniadau technegol, manylion a chynlluniau sydd eu hangen ar gyfer cymeradwyaeth Rheoliadau Adeiladu.

Cynllun llawr ac adran adeiladu, yn dangos y manylion a’r elfennau strwythurol.

Mae hyn yn cynnwys cydlynu gyda chynllunwyr a pheirianwyr eraill sy’n rhan o ddyluniad manwl y prosiect.

Rydyn ni hefyd yn ymateb i unrhyw gwestiynau gan Reoli Adeiladu ac yn datblygu’r wybodaeth sydd ei hangen ar y contractwr penodedig i wneud y gwaith ar y safle. Dyma lle mae’r prosiect yn symud o “beth allwn ni ei adeiladu?” i “sut ydyn ni’n mynd i’w adeiladu?”

Dylunydd Arweiniol ac Iechyd a Diogelwch-

Lle bo’n berthnasol, rydyn ni’n cyflawni dyletswyddau’r Prif Ddylunydd o dan CDM 2015 ac yn paratoi’r Cynllun Iechyd a Diogelwch Cyn Adeiladu.

Dylid meddwl am iechyd a diogelwch o gamau cynnar iawn’r prosiect, yn hytrach na delio ag ef ar ôl i’r gwaith adeiladu ddechrau. Ein rôl ni yw helpu i nodi a rheoli risgiau drwy’r broses ddylunio a chydlynu’r wybodaeth berthnasol am iechyd a diogelwch.

Cam 5 – Paratoi ar gyfer adeiladu

Unwaith y bydd y dyluniad wedi’i ddatblygu, gallwn eich helpu i baratoi ar gyfer y gwaith adeiladu.

Cyfrifiadau ynni a gofynion technegol-

Yn dibynnu ar y prosiect, efallai y bydd angen cyfrifiadau fel SAP ( Gweithdrefn Asesu Safonol ) neu wybodaeth sy’n ymwneud ag EPC fel rhan o gymeradwyaeth Rheoliadau Adeiladu .

Lle bo angen y gwasanaethau hyn, rydyn ni’n cydlynu’r wybodaeth a’r ymgynghorwyr perthnasol.

Gwybodaeth dendro ac adeiladu-

Gallwn hefyd baratoi amserlen waith lawn a’r wybodaeth dendro ar gyfer y prosiect.

Mae hyn yn rhoi’r wybodaeth sydd ei hangen ar gontractwyr i brisio’r gwaith arfaethedig ac yn eich galluogi chi, fel y cleient, i gymharu dyfynbrisiau mewn ffordd fwy cyson. Lle bo’n briodol, gallwn hefyd gydlynu gyda Syrfëwr Meintiau neu ymgynghorydd costau arall.

Eich cefnogi yn ystod y gwaith adeiladu-

Unwaith y bydd y gwaith adeiladu’n dechrau, gall ein rôl ni barhau drwy gydol y prosiect.

Lle mae’r gwasanaeth hwn wedi’i gynnwys, rydyn ni’n mynychu cyfarfodydd safle a chyfarfodydd cynnydd i weld sut mae’r gwaith yn mynd ac i drafod unrhyw faterion sy’n codi yn ystod y gwaith adeiladu.

Dau brosiect ar waith, yn dangos trwsiau pren (chwith) a gwaith maen gyda thrawst mawr uwchben agoriad ffenestr (dde).

Anaml y mae gwaith adeiladu’n mynd yn union yn ôl y cynllun, felly gall cael eich pensaer gyda chi fod yn help mawr pan fydd cwestiynau neu faterion annisgwyl yn codi.

Gallwn helpu i ddehongli’r lluniadau, cydlynu gyda’r contractwr a sicrhau bod syniad a dyluniad gwreiddiol y prosiect yn cael eu cadw mewn golwg.

Cam 6 – Cwblhau a throsglwyddo

Wrth i’r prosiect ddod i ben, rydyn ni’n helpu i ddod â’r broses i ben.

Mae hyn yn cynnwys trosglwyddo’r adeilad ac, lle bo’n berthnasol, paratoi a chyflwyno’r Datganiad Cymhwysedd o dan Ddeddf Diogelwch Adeiladau (Cymru) sydd ei angen cyn y gellir cyhoeddi’r Dystysgrif Derfynol.

Mae’r gofynion Diogelwch Adeiladau newydd yn rhoi mwy o bwyslais ar gymhwysedd, cyfrifoldeb a chadw’r wybodaeth briodol drwy gydol y prosiect. I chi fel cleient, mae hyn yn golygu bod dewis y gweithwyr proffesiynol cywir a chadw cofnodion da drwy gydol y prosiect yn bwysicach nag erioed.

Plasty gwledig gyda estyniadau modern, tŷ gwydr pwrpasol ac adeilad pren ar wahân.

Cam 7 – Ar ôl i chi symud i mewn

Does dim rhaid i’n rhan ni o’r prosiect ddod i ben pan fydd yr adeilad wedi’i gwblhau.

Lle mae hyn wedi’i gynnwys yn ein gwasanaeth, gallwn gynnal adolygiad ar ôl i chi symud i mewn, unwaith eich bod wedi cael cyfle i ddefnyddio’r adeilad.

Mae hyn yn rhoi cyfle i ni weld sut mae’r gofod gorffenedig yn gweithio i chi mewn gwirionedd a nodi unrhyw faterion y gallai fod angen delio â nhw.

Cartref arfordirol moethus, hynod fodern, gyda waliau gwydr crwm trawiadol a thu mewn llachar a chwaethus.

Gwasanaeth llawn, o syniad i reality. O’r sgwrs gyntaf am eich syniadau hyd at gwblhau’r prosiect, ein nod yw gwneud y broses bensaernïol yn gliriach, yn haws i’w rheoli ac yn llai brawychus.

Meddwl am ddechrau prosiect?

Os ydych chi’n ystyried estyniad, gwaith adnewyddu, cartref newydd neu ddatblygiad mwy, gall cael cyngor pensaernïol yn gynnar eich helpu i ddeall beth sy’n bosib, pa wybodaeth sydd ei hangen a beth mae’r prosiect yn debygol o’i gynnwys.

Dechreuwch gyda’ch syniadau. Byddwn ni’n eich helpu i weithio allan y camau nesaf.

Deddf Diogelwch Adeiladau

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:03:05 GMT

Beth sydd angen i chi ei wybod

Mae Deddf Diogelwch Adeiladau 2022, sy’n dod i rym ar 1 Gorffennaf 2026, yn cynrychioli’r newid mwyaf sylweddol i reoliadau adeiladu ers cenhedlaeth. Os ydych chi’n cynllunio adeilad newydd, estyniad, gwaith adnewyddu neu brosiect datblygu yng Nghymru, mae angen i chi baratoi ar gyfer newidiadau pwysig i’r Rheoliadau Adeiladu a fydd yn dod i rym ar 1 Gorffennaf 2026.

Mae’r diweddariadau hyn yn rhan o Raglen Diogelwch Adeiladau Llywodraeth Cymru a Deddf Diogelwch Adeiladau 2022. Maen nhw’n cyflwyno gofynion newydd ar gyfer y rhai sydd â dyletswyddau ar brosiectau, yn ogystal â datganiadau cymhwysedd, a fydd yn effeithio ar bob prosiect a gyflwynir o’r dyddiad hwnnw ymlaen. Dyma beth sydd wedi newid a beth mae hyn yn ei olygu i chi.

Delwedd gan Adrian Williamson – Deddf Diogelwch Adeiladau, yn dod i rym ar 1 Gorffennaf 2026

Dyletswyddau a rolau newydd

Mae’r Ddeddf yn cyflwyno pobl â dyletswyddau sydd wedi’u diffinio’n glir – sef y bobl sy’n gyfrifol yn gyfreithiol am ddiogelwch drwy gydol y broses ddylunio ac adeiladu:

Mae’n rhaid i gleientiaid sicrhau bod y bobl gymwys iawn yn cael eu penodi a bod diogelwch yn rhan o’r prosiect o’r diwrnod cyntaf.
Mae’n rhaid i Brif Ddylunwyr (Principal Designers) reoli risgiau diogelwch drwy gydol y broses ddylunio.
Mae’n rhaid i Brif Gontractwyr (Principal Contractors) sicrhau bod y gwaith adeiladu’n cael ei wneud yn ddiogel a chadw cofnod manwl – y “llinyn aur” o wybodaeth.
Mae Personau Atebol (Accountable Persons) yn gyfrifol am ddiogelwch mewn adeiladau preswyl uwch (HRBs) sydd wedi’u meddiannu.

Nid yw anwybodaeth bellach yn esgus. Gall personau â dyletswyddau wynebu canlyniadau cyfreithiol difrifol os nad ydynt yn cydymffurfio.

Datganiadau cymhwysedd newydd ar gyfer y prif bersonau â dyletswyddau

Un o’r newidiadau mwyaf arwyddocaol yw cyflwyno datganiadau cymhwysedd newydd. Mae’n rhaid i’r datganiadau hyn gael eu cwblhau a’u llofnodi gan y personau â dyletswyddau canlynol cyn y gellir cyhoeddi Tystysgrif Derfynol:

Y Cleient neu’r Perchennog Tŷ
Y Prif Ddylunydd
Y Prif Gontractwr

Mae’r datganiadau hyn yn cadarnhau bod gan bob parti y sgiliau, y wybodaeth a’r profiad angenrheidiol i gyflawni eu rôl yn ddiogel ac yn gymwys. Y nod yw gwella atebolrwydd a sicrhau bod pob prosiect yn cyrraedd safonau diogelwch uwch. Er enghraifft, os ydych yn berchennog tŷ sy’n gweithredu fel y cleient ar gyfer eich gwaith adnewyddu, bydd angen i chi lofnodi datganiad sy’n cadarnhau eich bod yn deall eich cyfrifoldebau. Yn yr un modd, bydd angen i’r prif ddylunydd a’r prif gontractwr ddatgan bod ganddynt y cymhwysedd angenrheidiol i reoli’r gwaith dylunio ac adeiladu’n ddiogel.

Terfynau amser newydd ar gyfer dechrau prosiectau

Mae’r rheoliadau hefyd yn cyflwyno terfynau amser llym ar gyfer dechrau gwaith ar brosiectau. Ar ôl i Hysbysiad Cychwynnol gael ei dderbyn, rhaid i’r prosiect gyrraedd “Cam Cychwyn” penodol o fewn tair blynedd. Ni fydd dechrau unrhyw waith ar y safle yn unig yn ddigon bellach.

Mae’r union ofynion ar gyfer y Cam Cychwyn yn dibynnu ar y math o brosiect:

Ar gyfer adeiladau cymhleth: rhaid cwblhau’r sylfeini a strwythur y llawr isaf.
Ar gyfer estyniadau: rhaid cwblhau’r sylfeini a’r is-strwythur.
Ar gyfer newidiadau perthnasol: rhaid cwblhau tua 15% o’r gwaith parhaol.

Os na chaiff y camau hyn eu cwblhau o fewn y cyfnod o dair blynedd, gall y cais ddod i ben. Byddai hyn yn golygu bod angen cyflwyno cais newydd, gan arwain at oedi a chostau ychwanegol.

Beth mae’r newidiadau hyn yn ei olygu i berchnogion tai a datblygwyr

I berchnogion tai a datblygwyr, mae’r newidiadau hyn yn dod â chyfrifoldebau newydd ac yn golygu bod angen cynllunio’n ofalus:

Mae angen i berchnogion tai sy’n gweithredu fel cleientiaid ddeall eu rôl o ran rheoli diogelwch a datganiadau cymhwysedd. Efallai y bydd angen cael cyngor proffesiynol i osgoi camgymeriadau. Mae angen i ddatblygwyr a chontractwyr sicrhau bod prosiectau’n cyrraedd y camau cychwyn newydd mewn pryd, er mwyn osgoi i geisiadau ddod i ben. Mae angen i ddylunwyr a chontractwyr ddangos eu cymhwysedd yn glir drwy ddatganiadau wedi’u llofnodi, gan wella tryloywder a diogelwch ar y safle.

Gall methu â bodloni’r gofynion hyn arwain at oedi i’r prosiect, costau uwch ac anawsterau wrth gael Tystysgrif Derfynol.

Delwedd gan Chloe Williams

 Paratoi ar gyfer y Rheoliadau Newydd

Mae paratoi ymlaen llaw yn allweddol er mwyn delio â’r newidiadau hyn yn ddidrafferth. Dyma rai camau ymarferol y gallwch eu cymryd nawr:

Cynnwys gweithwyr proffesiynol yn gynnar: Gweithiwch gyda chonsortiwmau pensaernïol, dylunwyr a chontractwyr sy’n gyfarwydd â’r rheoliadau newydd.
Deall eich rôl: Os ydych yn berchennog tŷ sy’n gweithredu fel cleient, gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn deall beth mae’r datganiad cymhwysedd yn ei olygu a sut i gyflawni eich dyletswyddau.
Cynlluniwch amserlen y prosiect yn ofalus: Sicrhewch fod amserlen eich prosiect yn caniatáu iddo gyrraedd y cam cychwyn gofynnol o fewn tair blynedd.
Cadwch gofnodion clir: Cofnodwch yr holl ddatganiadau a chamau allweddol er mwyn darparu tystiolaeth ar gyfer y dystysgrif derfynol.
Ceisiwch gyngor: Siaradwch ag arbenigwyr a all helpu i gydlynu’r gwaith cydymffurfio ac osgoi i geisiadau ddod i ben.

Beth mae hyn yn ei olygu i gleientiaid?

Os ydych chi’n comisiynu prosiect adeiladu, yn enwedig prosiect sy’n ymwneud ag adeilad risg uwch, mae eich cyfrifoldebau wedi cynyddu’n sylweddol.

Diffiniad o Adeiladau Risg Uwch yng Nghymru - Legislation.gov.uk

Beth yw’r pwynt allweddol?

Mae’r Ddeddf Diogelwch Adeiladau yn newid y diwylliant o “adeiladu a gobeithio am y gorau” i reoli diogelwch yn rhagweithiol, gyda thystiolaeth glir ar bob cam. Mae’n golygu mwy o brosesau, mwy o waith papur a mwy o gyfrifoldeb – ond yn y pen draw, adeiladau mwy diogel i bawb.

Dolenni defnyddiol

Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 , Implementing the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 .

Building Safety Act

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:03:02 GMT

What is the Building Safety Act?

Everything you need to know

The Building Safety Act 2022 coming into force on the 1st July 2026 is the most significant reform of building regulations in a generation. If you are planning a new build, extension, renovation, or development project in Wales, you need to prepare for important changes to the Building Regulations coming into effect on 1 July 2026.

These updates are part of the Welsh Government’s Building Safety Programme and the Building Safety Act 2022. They introduce new requirements for dutyholders and competence declarations that will affect every project submitted from that date. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.

Image by Adrian Williamson - Building Safety Act, commencing 1st July 2026

New duties and roles

The Act introduces clearly defined duty holders - the people legally responsible for safety throughout design and construction:

Clients must ensure the right competent people are appointed and that safety is embedded from day one
Principal Designers must manage safety risks through the design process
Principal Contractors must ensure safe construction and maintain a detailed record (the "golden thread" of information)
Accountable Persons take responsibility for safety in occupied HRBs

Ignorance is no longer a defence. Duty holders face serious legal consequences for non-compliance.

New competence declarations for key duty holders

New Competence Declarations for key duty holders One of the most significant changes is the introduction of new competence declarations. These declarations must be completed and signed by the following duty holders before a Final Certificate can be issued:

The Client or Homeowner
The Principal Designer
The Principal Contractor

These declarations confirm that each party has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out their roles safely and competently. This step aims to improve accountability and ensure that all projects meet higher safety standards. For example, if you are a homeowner acting as the client for your renovation, you will need to sign a declaration confirming your understanding of your responsibilities. Similarly, the principal designer and contractor must declare their competence in managing design and construction safely.

New Time Limits for Project Commencement

The regulations also introduce strict time limits for starting work on projects. After an Initial Notice is accepted, the project must reach a defined "Commencement Stage" within three years. Simply beginning any work on site will no longer be enough.

The exact requirements for the Commencement Stage depend on the type of project:

For complex buildings: foundations and lowest floor structure must be completed
For extensions: foundations and substructure must be completed
For material alterations: around 15% of permanent works must be completed

If these milestones are not met within the three-year window, the application may lapse. This means you would need to submit a new application, causing delays and additional costs.

What These Changes Mean for Homeowners and Developers

For homeowners and developers, these changes bring new responsibilities and require careful planning:

Homeowners acting as clients must understand their role in managing safety and competence declarations. This may require seeking professional advice to avoid mistakes. Developers and contractors need to ensure projects meet the new commencement milestones on time to avoid lapsing applications. Designers and contractors must demonstrate their competence clearly through signed declarations, increasing transparency and safety on site.

Failing to meet these requirements could lead to project delays, increased costs, and difficulties in obtaining final certification.

Image by Chloe Williams

Prepare for the New Regulations

Preparation is key to navigating these changes smoothly. Here are practical steps to take now:

Engage professionals early: Work with architectural consultants, designers, and contractors familiar with the new regulations.
Understand your role: If you are a homeowner client, learn what the competence declaration involves and how to fulfill your duties.
Plan project timelines carefully: Ensure your project schedule allows reaching the required commencement stage within three years.
Keep clear records: Document all declarations and milestones to provide evidence for final certification.
Seek guidance: Consult experts who can help coordinate compliance and avoid lapsing applications.

What does this mean for clients?

If you're commissioning a building project, especially a higher-risk one, your responsibilities have grown significantly.

Definition of Higher-risk Buildings in Wales - Legislation.gov.uk

 The bottom line?

The Building Safety Act shifts the culture from "build it and hope" to proactive, evidenced safety management at every stage. It's more process, more paperwork, and more responsibility but ultimately, safer buildings for everyone.

Useful links

Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 , Implementing the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026

Elfennau Bioamrywiaeth

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:30:57 GMT

Bioamrywiaeth a phrosiectau adeiladu:

Gwneud lle i natur yn eich cynlluniau

Mae pob prosiect adeiladu, waeth pa mor fach, yn newid darn bach o’r byd naturiol. Am gyfnod hir roedd y system gynllunio yn trin hynny fel ôl-ystyriaeth. Nid bellach. Yng Nghymru, mae’n rhaid i bob cais cynllunio ddangos sut mae’n gwneud cyfraniad cadarnhaol i natur, ac mae rhai ffyrdd syml a rhad iawn o wneud hynny yr ydym yn eu cynnwys yn ein prosiectau fel mater o drefn.

Mae’r post hwn yn egluro beth mae’r rheolau yn gofyn amdano, ac yna’n mynd drwy’r pethau ymarferol y gallwch eu gwneud ar eich prosiect eich hun, o fwlch draenog mewn ffens i’r ysguboriau ystlumod a’r tyrau tylluanod rydym wedi’u dylunio ar Ynys Môn.

Beth mae’r rheolau cynllunio yn ei ofyn bellach

Mae rhifyn diweddaraf Polisi Cynllunio Cymru (Rhifyn 12) yn gofyn bod Datganiad Seilwaith Gwyrdd yn cyd-fynd â phob cais cynllunio yng Nghymru. Mae’r paragraff allweddol, 6.2.5, yn dweud:

“Dylid cyflwyno datganiad seilwaith gwyrdd gyda phob cais cynllunio. Bydd hwn yn gymesur â graddfa a natur y datblygiad arfaethedig a bydd yn disgrifio sut mae seilwaith gwyrdd wedi’i ymgorffori yn y cynnig. Yn achos mân ddatblygiad, disgrifiad byr fydd hwn ac ni ddylai fod yn ofyniad beichus i ymgeiswyr. Bydd y datganiad seilwaith gwyrdd yn ffordd effeithiol o ddangos canlyniadau amlswyddogaethol cadarnhaol sy’n briodol i’r safle dan sylw ac mae’n rhaid ei ddefnyddio i ddangos sut mae’r dull cam wrth gam (Paragraff 6.4.21) wedi’i gymhwyso.”

Y geiriau pwysig yno yw “cymesur” ac “ni ddylai fod yn ofyniad beichus”. Ar gyfer estyniad tŷ neu addasiad bach, paragraff neu ddau byr yn disgrifio beth rydych yn ei wneud dros natur yw’r datganiad fel arfer, ac rydym yn ei baratoi fel rhan o’r cais. Yr hyn mae’r awdurdod cynllunio am ei weld yw eich bod wedi meddwl am y peth ac wedi cynnwys rhywbeth yn y dyluniad, yn hytrach na’i ychwanegu ar y diwedd.

Y cefndir cyfreithiol ehangach yw Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Cymru) 2016 , sy’n gosod dyletswydd ar gyrff cyhoeddus i gynnal a gwella bioamrywiaeth, a Nodyn Cyngor Technegol 5: Cadwraeth Natur a Chynllunio , sy’n egluro sut mae’r ddyletswydd honno’n cael ei chymhwyso drwy’r system gynllunio.

Enghraifft ddarluniadol o welliannau bioamrywiaeth o amgylch tŷ cyffredin: blychau gwenoliaid duon ac ystlumod, cwpanau gwenoliaid y bondo, blwch adar, bwlch a blwch draenog, briciau gwenyn, plannu ar gyfer peillwyr, pwll a wal ddelltwaith werdd.

Felly beth allwch chi ei wneud i roi budd net i natur?

Y peth mwyaf gwerthfawr yw cynefin. Mae creu neu wella cynefin lled-naturiol, megis gwrychoedd brodorol, ardaloedd blodau gwyllt, pyllau a choed, yn gwella cysylltedd ar gyfer ystlumod, adar, draenogod, amffibiaid, ymlusgiaid a phryfed, a gall gyflawni budd net gwirioneddol i fioamrywiaeth ar eich safle.

Lle nad yw’r adeilad ei hun yn cynnig lle synhwyrol i integreiddio nyth neu glwyd, blychau wedi’u gosod ar goed neu waliau yw’r peth gorau nesaf. Rydym fel arfer yn nodi blychau woodcrete yn hytrach na rhai pren: maent wedi’u gwneud o ddeunydd gwydn sy’n para’n hir ac maent yn llawer mwy tebygol o oroesi am oes yr adeilad. Lle bynnag y rhowch nhw, mae lleoliad yn bwysig. Mae gan bob rhywogaeth ei dewisiadau ei hun o ran uchder, cyfeiriad a chysgod, a bydd blwch yn y lle anghywir yn aros yn wag.

Ystlumod

Mae blychau ystlumod yn rhoi rhywle i ystlumod glwydo lle mae mynediad at glwydfannau mewn coed ac adeiladau addas yn gyfyngedig. Mae gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Ystlumod gyngor clir ar ddewis a gosod blwch ystlumod .

Os ydych yn gweithio ar adeilad sydd eisoes ag ystlumod, un o’r ffyrdd symlaf o ddiogelu’r glwydfan yn y tymor hir yw cynnwys pwynt mynediad i ystlumod, er enghraifft llechen fynediad bwrpasol neu fwlch bach o dan y grib neu’r bondo. Mae ystlumod wedi’u diogelu’n llym gan y gyfraith, felly mae hyn yn aml yn ofyniad ffurfiol o’r gwaith, a dylech bob amser gael cyngor personol gan ecolegydd cyn bwrw ymlaen. Mae’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Ystlumod yn egluro’r opsiynau ar gyfer creu mynediad i ystlumod .

Blychau ystlumod woodcrete wedi’u gosod yn uchel ar wal dalcen, dan gysgod y bondo (chwith).

Mae llechen fynediad bwrpasol yn gadael ystlumod i mewn ac allan o do heb adael y tywydd i mewn (dde) .

Draenogod

Gall draenogod deithio tua milltir bob nos i chwilio am fwyd a chysgod, ac mae gardd wedi’i ffensio’n llwyr yn ben draw iddynt. Priffordd draenogod yw cyfres o dyllau bach, tua 13cm sgwâr, mewn ffensys a waliau sy’n gadael draenogod i symud yn rhydd rhwng gerddi, parciau a rhandiroedd heb orfod croesi ffyrdd. Nid yw’n costio bron dim, ac mae’n un o’r pethau hawsaf i’w hychwanegu at unrhyw brosiect sydd â ffin.

Bwlch draenog mewn ffens gardd, gyda phlac fel bod y perchennog nesaf yn gwybod beth yw ei bwrpas.

Adar gardd

Mae blychau adar yn ffordd hawdd ac effeithiol o roi cartref i amrywiaeth o rywogaethau. Dylid gosod blychau ar gyfer titwod, adar y to a drudwy rhwng dau a phedwar metr i fyny coeden neu wal. Oni bai bod coed neu adeiladau yn cysgodi’r blwch yn ystod y dydd, wynebwch ef rhywle rhwng y gogledd a’r dwyrain fel ei fod yn osgoi haul cryf a’r gwyntoedd gwlypaf, gwnewch yn siŵr bod gan yr adar lwybr hedfan clir at y fynedfa, a gogwyddwch y blwch ymlaen ychydig fel bod glaw yn taro’r to ac yn bownsio i ffwrdd. Mae gan yr RSPB ganllaw da i flychau nythu .

Gwenoliaid duon, gwenoliaid a gwenoliaid y bondo

Gellir gosod briciau a blychau nythu gwenoliaid duon, a chwpanau nythu gwenoliaid a gwenoliaid y bondo, o dan fondo adeilad i roi rhywle i’r ymwelwyr haf hyn fridio. Gellir adeiladu bricsen gwennol ddu yn uniongyrchol i mewn i wal tŷ neu estyniad newydd ac mae angen iddi fod o leiaf bum metr uwchben y ddaear gyda chwymp clir oddi tani. Mae niferoedd gwenoliaid duon wedi gostwng yn sylweddol, ac mae bricsen wedi’i hadeiladu i mewn i wal cartref newydd yn un o’r pethau mwyaf defnyddiol y gall adeilad ei wneud drostynt. Gweler Swift Conservation am ragor.

Aderyn y to wrth fynedfa blwch nythu (chwith).

Gwennol ddu yn gadael blwch nythu pwrpasol (dde).

Ysguboriau ystlumod, tyrau tylluanod a strwythurau eraill ar gyfer rhywogaethau gwarchodedig

Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf rydym wedi dylunio nifer o strwythurau pwrpasol ar gyfer rhywogaethau gwarchodedig. Mae rhai wedi tyfu o addasiadau ysguboriau ac adeiladau allanol, lle mae’n rhaid disodli clwydfan neu safle nythu presennol; mae eraill yn adeiladau pwrpasol ar safle newydd lle mae ecolegydd wedi nodi’r angen. Gan weithio ochr yn ochr ag ecolegwyr lleol gan gynnwys Cambrian Ecology, EcoScope, Greenman Ecology ac Enfys Ecology, rydym wedi datblygu cyfres o “ysguboriau ystlumod” a “thyrau tylluanod” sydd wedi mynd ymlaen i gartrefu nid yn unig ystlumod a thylluanod ond gwenoliaid duon, adar y to, cudyllod coch, gwenyn a mwy. Mae’r lluniau yma o sawl safle ar Ynys Môn. Cafodd llawer o’r manylion cynefin eu datblygu gyda’r ecolegwyr, gan dynnu ar ganllawiau’r Barn Owl Trust a’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Ystlumod .

Tŵr tylluanod o gerrig yn cael ei adeiladu ar Ynys Môn (chwith).

Ysgubor ystlumod newydd wedi’i hadeiladu o gerrig lleol gyda tho llechi (dde).

Tylluan wen yn cael ei harchwilio gan ecolegydd (chwith).

Ystlumod yn clwydo yn un o’r strwythurau gorffenedig (dde).

Gair o gyngor cyn i chi ddechrau

Os yw eich gwaith adnewyddu neu addasu yn golygu newidiadau mawr i do neu ofod atig, yn enwedig mewn adeilad hŷn, ysgubor neu strwythur sydd wedi sefyll yn wag am gyfnod, siaradwch ag ecolegydd ymgynghorol yn gynnar. Mae ystlumod, tylluanod gwynion ac adar sy’n nythu i gyd wedi’u diogelu gan y gyfraith, a gall dod o hyd iddynt hanner ffordd drwy’r gwaith ddod â phopeth i stop. Mae arolwg ar y dechrau, yn ddelfrydol yn nhymor arolygu’r gwanwyn neu’r haf, yn ein galluogi i ddylunio’r mesurau lliniaru o’r cychwyn ac yn cadw’r prosiect ar amser.

Sut y gallwn ni helpu

Rydym yn cynnwys bioamrywiaeth ym mhob prosiect rydym yn ei ddylunio, o’r Datganiad Seilwaith Gwyrdd sy’n mynd i mewn gyda’r cais cynllunio i’r fricsen gwennol ddu yn y wal dalcen. Os ydych yn cynllunio estyniad, addasiad neu adeilad newydd unrhyw le yn Ynys Môn, Gwynedd neu Eryri, rydym yn hapus i drafod beth fyddai’n gweithio ar eich safle.

Dolenni defnyddiol

Polisi Cynllunio Cymru, Rhifyn 12 sy’n nodi gofyniad y Datganiad Seilwaith Gwyrdd, ac mae Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Cymru) 2016 a TAN 5: Cadwraeth Natur a Chynllunio yn rhoi’r cefndir cyfreithiol a pholisi. Mae gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Ystlumod ganllawiau ar flychau ystlumod a chreu mynediad i ystlumod , mae’r RSPB yn ymdrin â blychau nythu, Swift Conservation â briciau a blychau gwenoliaid duon, ac mae gan y Barn Owl Trust gyngor manwl ar ddarpariaeth i dylluanod mewn adeiladau.

Biodiversity Elements

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:12:36 GMT

Biodiversity and Building projects:

Making room for nature in your plans

Every building project, however small, changes a little piece of the natural world. For a long time the planning system treated that as an afterthought. Not any more. In Wales, every planning application now has to show how it is making a positive contribution to nature, and there are some very simple, inexpensive ways to do that which we build into our projects as a matter of course.

This post explains what the rules ask for, and then runs through the practical things you can do on your own project, from a hedgehog gap in a fence to the bat barns and owl towers we have designed on Anglesey.

What the planning rules now require

The latest edition of Planning Policy Wales (Edition 12) requires every planning application in Wales to be accompanied by a Green Infrastructure Statement. The key paragraph, 6.2.5, reads:

“A green infrastructure statement should be submitted with all planning applications. This will be proportionate to the scale and nature of the development proposed and will describe how green infrastructure has been incorporated into the proposal. In the case of minor development this will be a short description and should not be an onerous requirement for applicants. The green infrastructure statement will be an effective way of demonstrating positive multi-functional outcomes which are appropriate to the site in question and must be used for demonstrating how the step-wise approach (Paragraph 6.4.21) has been applied.”

The important words there are “proportionate” and “should not be an onerous requirement”. For a house extension or a small conversion, the statement is typically a short paragraph or two describing what you are doing for nature, and we prepare it as part of the application. What the planning authority wants to see is that you have thought about it and built something in, rather than bolted it on at the end.

The wider legal backdrop is the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 , which places a duty on public bodies to maintain and enhance biodiversity, and Technical Advice Note 5: Nature Conservation and Planning , which explains how that duty is applied through the planning system.

An illustrative example of biodiversity enhancements around an ordinary house: swift and bat boxes, house martin cups, a bird box, hedgehog gap and box, bee bricks, pollinator planting, a pond and a green trellis wall.

So what can you do to give nature a net benefit?

The most valuable thing is habitat. Creating or improving semi-natural habitat, such as native hedgerows, wildflower areas, ponds and trees, improves connectivity for bats, birds, hedgehogs, amphibians, reptiles and insects, and can deliver a real net benefit for biodiversity on your site.

Where the building itself offers no sensible place to integrate a nest or roost, boxes fixed to trees or walls are the next best thing. We generally specify woodcrete boxes rather than timber ones: they are made from a long-lasting, durable material and are far more likely to survive for the lifetime of the building. Wherever you put them, position matters. Each species has its own preferences for height, aspect and shelter, and a box in the wrong place will simply stay empty.

Bats

Bat boxes give bats somewhere to roost where access to tree roosts and suitable buildings is limited. The Bat Conservation Trust has clear advice on choosing and putting up a bat box .

If you are working on a building that already has bats, one of the simplest ways to protect the roost for the long term is to build in a bat access point, for example a purpose-made access slate or a small gap under the ridge or eaves. Bats are strictly protected by law, so this is often a formal requirement of the works, and you should always get personalised advice from an ecologist before going ahead. The Bat Conservation Trust explains the options for creating access for bats .

Woodcrete bat boxes fixed high on a gable wall, sheltered by the eaves (left).

A purpose-made bat access slate lets bats in and out of a roof without letting the weather in (right).

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs can travel around a mile every night in search of food and shelter, and a fenced-in garden is a dead end for them. A hedgehog highway is simply a series of small holes, about 13cm square, in fences and walls that lets hedgehogs pass freely between gardens, parks and allotments without having to cross roads. It costs almost nothing, and it is one of the easiest things to add to any project with a boundary.

A hedgehog gap in a garden fence, marked with a plaque so the next owner knows what it is for.

Garden birds

Bird boxes are an easy and effective way of providing a home for a range of species. Boxes for tits, sparrows and starlings should be fixed two to four metres up a tree or wall. Unless there are trees or buildings that shade the box during the day, face it somewhere between north and east so it avoids strong sunlight and the wettest winds, make sure the birds have a clear flight path to the entrance, and tilt the box forward slightly so driving rain hits the roof and bounces clear. The RSPB has a good guide to nest boxes .

Swifts, swallows and house martins

Swift nest bricks and boxes, and swallow and house martin nest cups, can be fitted under the eaves of a building to give these summer visitors somewhere to breed. A swift brick can be built directly into the wall of a new house or extension and needs to be at least five metres above the ground with a clear drop below it. Swift numbers have fallen sharply, and a brick built into the wall of a new home is one of the most useful things a building can do for them. See Swif t Co nservation for more.

A house sparrow at the entrance to a nest box (left).

A swift leaving a purpose-made nest box (right) .

Bat barns, owl towers and other structures for protected species

Over the last few years we have designed a number of dedicated structures for protected species. Some have grown out of barn and outbuilding conversions, where an existing roost or nest site has to be replaced; others are bespoke buildings on a new site where an ecologist has identified the need. Working alongside local ecologists including Cambrian Ecology, EcoScope, Greenman Ecology and Enfys Ecology, we have developed a series of “bat barns” and “owl towers” which have gone on to house not just bats and owls but swifts, sparrows, kestrels, bees and more. The photographs here are from several sites on Anglesey. Much of the habitat detailing was worked out with the ecologists, drawing on guidance from the Barn Owl Trust and the Bat Conservation Trust .

A stone owl tower under construction on Anglesey (left).

A new bat barn built in local stone with a slate roof (right).

A barn owl being checked by an ecologist (left).

Bats roosting in one of the completed structures (right).

A word of advice before you start

If your refurbishment or conversion involves major changes to a roof or loft space, particularly in an older building, a barn or a structure that has stood empty for a while, talk to a consultant ecologist early. Bats, barn owls and nesting birds are all legally protected, and finding them halfway through a job can bring work to a standstill. A survey at the outset, ideally in the spring or summer survey season, lets us design the mitigation in from the start and keeps the project on programme.

How we can help

We build biodiversity into every project we design, from the Green Infrastructure Statement that goes in with the planning application to the swift brick in the gable wall. If you are planning an extension, a conversion or a new build anywhere in Anglesey, Gwynedd or Eryri, we are happy to talk through what would work on your site.

Useful links

Planning Policy Wales, Edition 12 sets out the Green Infrastructure Statement requirement, and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and TAN 5: Nature Conservation and Planning provide the legal and policy background. The Bat Conservation Trust has guidance on bat boxes and creating access for bats , the RSPB covers nest boxes, Swift Conservation covers swift bricks and boxes, and the Barn Owl Trust has detailed advice on owl provision in buildings.

Perchennog o Adeiladau Rhestredig

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:59:24 GMT

Ystyried prynu neu addasu adeilad rhestredig?

Dyma beth rydym yn ei ddweud wrth ein cleientiaid:

Mae rhywbeth arbennig am fyw mewn adeilad rhestredig. Nid perchennog yn unig ydych chi, ond ceidwad, yn gofalu am ddarn o hanes ar gyfer y rhai sy’n dod ar eich ôl. Mae hynny’n beth braf, ond mae hefyd yn dod â lefel o gyfrifoldeb nad yw tŷ modern yn ei olygu. Mae addasiadau yn gwbl bosibl, ond mae angen eu hystyried yn ofalus, ac mae ambell fagl ar hyd y ffordd i’r rhai nad ydynt yn gyfarwydd â’r broses.

Rydym yn gweithio gydag adeiladau rhestredig a hanesyddol ar draws Ynys Môn, Gwynedd ac Eryri, ac rydym yn cael ein hunain yn rhoi’r un cyngor dro ar ôl tro. Felly dyma fo, i gyd mewn un lle.

Tŷ Celf a Chrefft rhestredig ar ôl gwaith atgyweirio gofalus ac estyniad. Cyntedd derw newydd, ffenestri wedi’u hatgyweirio, a chymeriad gwreiddiol y tŷ wedi’i gadw’n gyfan.

Beth mae rhestru yn ei olygu mewn gwirionedd

Adeilad rhestredig yw un sydd wedi’i roi ar y rhestr genedlaethol o adeiladau o ddiddordeb pensaernïol neu hanesyddol arbennig. Mae rhestru yn diogelu cymeriad yr adeilad, sy’n golygu y gall fod angen cymeradwyaeth ar wahân o’r enw Caniatâd Adeilad Rhestredig ar gyfer addasiadau, estyniadau a dymchwel, yn ogystal ag unrhyw ganiatâd cynllunio.

Y camsyniad mwyaf a welwn yw bod rhestru ond yn cynnwys y tu allan. Mae bron bob amser yn cynnwys yr adeilad cyfan, y tu mewn a’r tu allan, ynghyd ag unrhyw beth sydd ynghlwm wrtho (hyd yn oed ychwanegiadau diweddarach) ac yn aml strwythurau eraill yn y tir megis adeiladau allanol, waliau terfyn, giatiau a nodweddion gardd.

Nid yw hyn yn eich rhwystro rhag gwneud newidiadau. Mae’n golygu bod angen ystyried y newidiadau’n briodol a, lle bo angen, eu cymeradwyo cyn i’r gwaith ddechrau.

Prynu adeilad rhestredig: cael y bobl iawn o’ch cwmpas

Os ydych yn prynu, y buddsoddiad gorau y gallwch ei wneud yw mewn cynghorwyr sy’n adnabod adeiladau rhestredig. Mae hynny’n golygu cyfreithiwr sy’n delio â nhw’n rheolaidd, syrfëwr sy’n deall sut mae hen adeiladau’n gweithio, a phensaer neu arbenigwr cadwraeth a all ddweud wrthych yn gynnar beth sy’n realistig.

Mae’r rheswm yn syml: addasiadau heb ganiatâd. Gall gwneud gwaith ar adeilad rhestredig heb ganiatâd fod yn drosedd, ac nid yw’r atebolrwydd hwnnw’n diflannu pan fydd yr adeilad yn newid dwylo. Os gosododd perchennog blaenorol ffenestr uPVC, tynnu cist simnai neu adeiladu porth heb ganiatâd, gallwch chi etifeddu’r broblem, a gall yr awdurdod lleol fynnu bod yr adeilad yn cael ei adfer i’w gyflwr blaenorol. Gall hynny fod yn ddrud ac yn araf. Gofynnwch i’ch cyfreithiwr ymchwilio’n fanwl i hanes yr eiddo a chadarnhau bod estyniadau ac addasiadau blaenorol wedi’u cymeradwyo’n briodol.

Gall ffotograffau hanesyddol fel hwn o Coflein ddweud llawer wrthych am sut mae adeilad wedi newid. Delwedd: RCAHMW/Coflein.

Mae syrfëwr arbenigol yn bwysig am yr un rheswm. Mae adeiladau traddodiadol wedi’u hadeiladu’n wahanol iawn i rai modern, a gall syrfëwr nad yw’n deall hynny godi bwganod di-sail, neu fethu’r problemau go iawn. Lleithder yw’r enghraifft glasurol: mae waliau cerrig solet a morter calch wedi’u cynllunio i anadlu, a gall “ateb” modern fel cwrs atal lleithder wedi’i chwistrellu neu rendr sment wneud pethau’n waeth yn hytrach nag yn well.

Cofiwch hyn gyda benthycwyr morgais hefyd. Weithiau byddant yn gofyn am waith i’w wneud cyn rhyddhau arian, ac nid yw eu hargymhellion safonol bob amser yn addas ar gyfer hen adeilad. Cewch ail farn gan rywun sy’n deall adeiladwaith hanesyddol cyn ymrwymo.

Yn olaf, yswiriant. Mae ailadeiladu neu atgyweirio adeilad rhestredig yn aml yn golygu deunyddiau traddodiadol, crefftwyr arbenigol a chymeradwyaeth gan y tîm cadwraeth, ac mae hyn i gyd yn costio mwy nag atgyweiriad modern tebyg am debyg. Gall polisi a ddewisir ar sail pris yn unig eich gadael wedi’ch tanyswirio’n ddifrifol. Gwnewch yn siŵr bod eich polisi yn adlewyrchu gwir gost adfer gyda dulliau traddodiadol ac yn ystyried unrhyw broblemau hysbys gyda’r adeilad.

Estyn neu addasu: dechreuwch yn gynnar, a dechreuwch gyda’r adeilad

Os ydych yn bwriadu estyn neu addasu adeilad rhestredig, siaradwch â swyddog cadwraeth yr awdurdod cynllunio lleol yn gynnar. Eu gwaith nhw yw diogelu’r hyn sy’n arbennig am yr adeilad tra’n cydnabod bod angen cartrefi ar bobl sy’n gweithio ar gyfer bywyd modern. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o awdurdodau bellach yn gofyn i hyn ddigwydd drwy ymholiad cyn-ymgeisio, a pho fwyaf o ymchwil cefndir y gallwch ddod ag ef i’r sgwrs honno, gorau oll y bydd yn mynd fel arfer.

Mae pob cais yn cael ei farnu ar ei rinweddau ei hun. Nid oes rheol bendant sy’n dweud bod yn rhaid i estyniad gyd-fynd â’r gwreiddiol, na’i fod yn amlwg yn fodern. Weithiau deunyddiau a manylion sy’n cyd-fynd yw’r ateb cywir. Weithiau mae ychwanegiad amlwg gyfoes, sy’n onest am fod yn newydd, yn eistedd yn well yn erbyn yr hen adeiladwaith. Mae’n dibynnu ar yr adeilad a’i leoliad.

Mae cyswllt gwydrog cyfoes yn gadael i’r wal gerrig wreiddiol barhau’n ganolbwynt. Gall gwaith newydd, sy’n amlwg yn fodern, gydweddu’n gytûn iawn â strwythur hanesyddol yr adeilad.

Yr allwedd yw deall beth sy’n gwneud eich adeilad yn arwyddocâol cyn i chi ddechrau dylunio. Yn ymarferol mae hynny’n golygu gwneud eich gwaith cartref: cael copi o’r disgrifiad rhestru gan Cadw , edrych ar fapiau hanesyddol yr Arolwg Ordnans a mapiau degwm , gwirio cofnodion Coflein a’r Comisiwn Brenhinol , ac adolygu unrhyw ganiatadau cynllunio blaenorol. O hynny, rydym yn adeiladu darlun o hanes yr adeilad a’i nodweddion pwysicaf, ac yn llunio’r cynigion o’u cwmpas. Gall mân addasiadau a wneir yn gynnar, megis gosod agoriad newydd mewn wal ddiweddarach yn hytrach nag un wreiddiol, yn aml wneud y gwahaniaeth rhwng cymeradwyaeth a gwrthodiad, heb golli’r hyn rydych yn ceisio’i gyflawni.

Asesiad o’r Effaith ar Dreftadaeth, mewn iaith syml

Mae’n rhaid i unrhyw gais am Ganiatâd Adeilad Rhestredig yng Nghymru gael Datganiad o’r Effaith ar Dreftadaeth gydag ef. Mae’n swnio’n frawychus, ond mewn gwirionedd cofnod ysgrifenedig o broses feddwl synhwyrol ydyw, a nodir gan Cadw yn ei ganllaw Asesiad o’r Effaith ar Dreftadaeth yng Nghymru .

Mae’r broses yn gofyn pum cwestiwn. Beth ydych chi’n ceisio’i gyflawni? Beth sy’n gwneud yr adeilad yn arbennig? Beth yn union ydych chi’n bwriadu ei newid? Sut bydd y newidiadau hynny’n effeithio ar yr hyn sy’n arbennig? Ac a oes ffordd well o gyrraedd yr un canlyniad?

Mae gan y rhan fwyaf o brosiectau gymysgedd o effeithiau. Mae rhai’n gadarnhaol, megis atgyweirio difrod, tynnu ychwanegiadau diweddarach anghydnaws neu ddod ag adeilad gwag yn ôl i ddefnydd. Mae rhai’n niwtral, lle mae newid wedi’i ddylunio’n ofalus neu wedi’i leoli mewn rhan lai sensitif o’r adeilad. Ac mae rhai’n negyddol, lle collir adeiladwaith gwreiddiol neu rannau allweddol o’r dyluniad. Mae’r awdurdod cynllunio yn pwyso a mesur y rhain, ac os yw’r niwed yn rhy fawr heb fawr ddim i’w gydbwyso, gall y cais gael ei wrthod. Ein rôl ni yw cael y cydbwysedd hwnnw’n iawn cyn iddo gyrraedd y sawl sy’n gwneud y penderfyniad.

Dylai maint yr asesiad fod yn gymesur: mae angen llawer llai o waith ar gyfer newid bach i fwthyn cymedrol nag ar gyfer estyniad mawr i dŷ gradd II*.

Strwythur llawr derw newydd mewn bwthyn carreg. Atgyweiriadau gan ddefnyddio deunyddiau traddodiadol a fydd yn para am gan mlynedd arall.

Gair am leithder, inswleiddio a hen waliau

Lleithder a phydredd pren yw’r ddau beth sydd fwyaf tebygol o achosi difrod go iawn mewn adeilad hŷn, a chyda biliau ynni fel y maent, mae mwy o berchnogion hefyd yn ystyried inswleiddio. Mae angen gofal gyda’r ddau. Mae adeiladau traddodiadol yn rheoli lleithder drwy adael iddo symud drwy’r adeiladwaith ac anweddu. Os caiff ei ddal y tu ôl i inswleiddio anathraidd, rendr sment neu bilenni plastig, gallwch orffen gyda phydredd yn y coed a halwynau yn y plastr.

Yr ateb fel arfer yw deunyddiau anadlu, awyru da ac atgyweiriadau sy’n gweddu i oedran ac adeiladwaith yr adeilad. Mae Cadw, SPAB a Historic England i gyd yn cyhoeddi canllawiau rhagorol am ddim ar hyn, a bydd syrfëwr neu bensaer profiadol gydag adeiladau hanesyddol yn gwybod sut i’w rhoi ar waith.

Inswleiddio to traddodiadol rhwng ac uwchben y trawstiau, gan gadw’r strwythur hanesyddol wedi’i awyru ac yn weladwy.

Sut y gallwn ni helpu?

Rydym yn hapus i drafod adeilad rhestredig ar unrhyw gam, boed yn edrych ar eiddo, yn meddwl tybed beth sy’n bosibl, neu’n barod i wneud cais. Gallwn baratoi’r ymchwil a’r Datganiad o’r Effaith ar Dreftadaeth, dylunio cynigion sy’n parchu’r adeilad, a gweithio gyda’r swyddog cadwraeth i gael canlyniad sy’n gweithio i chi.

Cyntedd derw newydd yn cymryd siâp yn ystod gwaith atgyweirio tŷ pebbledash rhestredig (chwith), a’r estyniad wedi’i gwblhau (dde).

Dolenni defnyddiol

Os hoffech ddarllen ymhellach, dyma’r ffynonellau rydym yn cyfeirio cleientiaid atynt amlaf. Mae Egwyddorion Cadwraeth Cadw a’i ganllaw Asesiad o’r Effaith ar Dreftadaeth yng Nghymru yn egluro sut mae’r system yn gweithio. Mae chwiliad Cof Cymru yn eich galluogi i ddod o hyd i restriad eich adeilad, tra bo mapiau hanesyddol yr Arolwg Ordnans yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol yr Alban , mapiau degwm Cymru , Coflein a’r C omisiwn Brenhinol (CBHC) yn llefydd gorau i ymchwilio i’w hanes.

Gellir gwirio caniatadau cynllunio blaenorol drwy byrth cynllunio Ynys Môn , Gwynedd a Pharc Cenedlaethol Eryri .

Ar gyfer lleithder ac inswleiddio, gweler canllaw Cadw ar ymchwilio i leithder mewn adeiladau traddodiadol , taflen Control of Dampness SPAB, cyngor Historic England ar leithder mewn adeiladau hanesyddol a chanllaw’r STBA ar ddeunyddiau inswleiddio mewn adeiladwaith traddodiadol .

Mae Cadw hefyd yn cyhoeddi llyfrynnau defnyddiol ar ynni adnewyddadwy ac adeiladau hanesyddol , anheddau gwledig bach yng Nghymru ac addasu adeiladau fferm hanesyddol . Mae’r SPAB , yr IHBC a Chanolfan Tywi hefyd yn werth eu gweld.

Owning a Listed Building

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:20:06 GMT

Thinking of buying or altering a listed building?

Here's what we tell out clients:

There’s something special about living in a listed building. You’re not just an owner, you’re a custodian, looking after a piece of history for the people who come after you. That’s a lovely thing, but it also brings a level of responsibility that a modern house simply doesn’t. Alterations are perfectly possible, but they need to be thought through carefully, and there are a few traps for the unwary along the way.

We work with listed and historic buildings across Anglesey, Gwynedd and Eryri, and we find ourselves giving the same advice again and again. So here it is, in one place.

A listed Arts and Crafts house after careful repair and extension. New oak porch, repaired windows and original character intact.

What listing actually means

A listed building is one that has been placed on the national list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. Listing protects the building’s character, which means that alterations, extensions and demolition may need a separate approval called Listed Building Consent, on top of any planning permission.

The biggest misconception we come across is that listing only covers the outside. It almost always covers the whole building, inside and out, along with anything attached to it (even later additions) and often other structures in the grounds such as outbuildings, boundary walls, gates and garden features.

None of this stops you making changes. It just means the changes need to be considered properly and, where necessary, approved before the work starts.

Buying a listed building: get the right people around you

If you’re buying, the single best investment you can make is in advisers who know listed buildings. That means a solicitor who deals with them regularly, a surveyor who understands how old buildings work, and an architect or conservation specialist who can tell you early on what’s realistic.

The reason is simple: unauthorised alterations. Carrying out work to a listed building without consent can be a criminal offence, and that liability doesn’t disappear when the building changes hands. If a previous owner put in a uPVC window, took out a chimney breast or built a porch without consent, you can inherit the problem, and the local authority can require the building to be put back as it was. That can be expensive and slow. Ask your solicitor to dig into the property’s history and confirm that past extensions and alterations were properly approved.

Historic photographs like this one from Coflein can tell you a lot about how a building has changed. Image: RCAHMW/Coflein.

A specialist surveyor matters for the same reason. Traditional buildings are constructed very differently from modern ones, and a surveyor who doesn’t understand that can raise false alarms, or miss the real ones. Damp is the classic example: solid stone walls and lime mortar are designed to breathe, and a modern “fix” like an injected damp-proof course or a cement render can make things worse rather than better.

Bear this in mind with mortgage lenders too. They sometimes ask for work to be done before releasing funds, and their standard recommendations aren’t always right for an old building. Get a second opinion from someone who understands historic construction before you commit.

Finally, insurance. Rebuilding or repairing a listed building often means traditional materials, specialist craftspeople and sign-off from the conservation team, all of which costs more than a like-for-like modern repair. A policy chosen on price alone can leave you badly underinsured. Make sure yours reflects the true cost of reinstatement with traditional methods and takes account of any known issues with the building.

Extending or altering: start early, and start with the building

If you’re planning to extend or alter a listed building, talk to the local planning authority’s conservation officer at an early stage. Their job is to protect what’s special about the building while recognising that people need homes that work for modern life. Most authorities now ask for this to happen through a pre-application enquiry, and the more background research you can bring to that conversation, the better it tends to go.

Every application is judged on its own merits. There’s no fixed rule that says an extension must match the original, or that it must be obviously modern. Sometimes matching materials and detailing are the right answer. Sometimes a clearly contemporary addition, honest about being new, sits better against the old fabric. It depends on the building and its setting.

A contemporary glazed link lets the original stone wall remain the star. New work that is clearly new can sit very comfortable against old fabric.

The key is to understand what makes your building significant before you start designing. In practice that means doing your homework: getting a copy of the listing description from Cadw , looking at Historic Ordnance Survey and tithe maps , checking the Coflein and Royal Commission records, and reviewing any previous planning approvals. From that, we build a picture of the building’s history and its most important features, and we shape the proposals around them. Small adjustments made early, such as putting a new opening in a later wall rather than an original one, can often make the difference between an approval and a refusal, without losing what you’re trying to achieve.

Heritage Impact Assessment, in plain English

Any application for Listed Building Consent in Wales has to be accompanied by a Heritage Impact Statement. It sounds daunting, but it’s really a written record of a sensible thought process, set out by Cadw in its guidance Heritage Impact Assessment in Wales.

The process asks five questions. What are you trying to achieve? What makes the building special? What exactly do you propose to change? How will those changes affect what’s special? And is there a better way of getting to the same result?

Most projects have a mix of effects. Some are positive, such as repairing damage, removing unsympathetic later additions or bringing an empty building back into use. Some are neutral, where change is carefully designed or placed in a less sensitive part of the building. And some are negative, where original fabric or key parts of the design are lost. The planning authority weighs these up, and if the harm is too great with little to balance it, the application may be refused. Our role is to get that balance right before it ever reaches a decision-maker.

The amount of assessment should be proportionate: a small change to a modest cottage needs a much lighter touch than a major extension to a grade II* house.

New oak floor structure in a stone cottage. Repairs using traditional materials that will last another hundred years.

A word on damp, insulation and old walls

Damp and timber decay are the two things most likely to cause real damage in an older building, and with energy bills where they are, more owners are also looking to insulate. Both need care. Traditional buildings manage moisture by letting it move through the fabric and evaporate away. Trap it behind impermeable insulation, cement render or plastic membranes and you can end up with rot in the timbers and salts in the plaster.

The answer is usually breathable materials, good ventilation and repairs that suit the building’s age and construction. Cadw, SPAB and Historic England all publish excellent free guidance on this, and a surveyor or architect experienced in historic buildings will know how to apply it.

Insulating a traditional roof between and over the rafters, keeping the historic structure ventilated and visible.

How we can help?

We’re happy to talk through a listed building at any stage, whether you’re viewing a property, wondering what’s possible, or ready to make an application. We can prepare the research and Heritage Impact Statement, design proposals that respect the building, and work with the conservation officer to get you a result that works.

New oak porch taking shape during (left) the repair of a listed pebbledash house, and the completed extension (right).

Useful links

If you want to do some reading, these are the sources we point clients to most often. Cadw’s Conservation Principles and its Heritage Impact Assessment in Wales guide set out how the system works. The Cof Cymru search lets you find your building’s listing, while the National Library of Scotland’s historic OS maps , the Welsh tithe maps , Coflein and the Royal Commission (RCAHMW ) are the best places to research its history.

Past planning approvals can be checked through the Anglesey , Gwynedd and Eryri National Park planning portals.

For damp and insulation, see Cadw’s guide to investigating moisture in traditional buildings , SPAB’s Control of Dampness leaflet, Historic England’s advice on damp in historic buildings and the STBA’s guidance on insulation materials in traditional construction .

Cadw also publishes helpful booklets on renewable energy and historic buildings , small rural dwellings in Wales and converting historic farm buildings. The SPAB , the IHBC and the Tywi Centre are all worth a look too.