Regions we cover
LINX Design & Build takes on architecture, planning, extensions, loft conversions, renovations and new builds across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. One in-house team designs each project, secures approval from the relevant council or the South Downs National Park Authority and builds it, starting with a free survey and a fixed-price quote.
Tell us about your project — we'll come back with next steps and a time for a free survey.
Design & build
Planning in East Sussex is split between Brighton & Hove City Council, a unitary authority, five district and borough councils, and the South Downs National Park Authority, which is the planning authority inside the park, including the town of Lewes. To the north and east, the High Weald National Landscape covers much of Wealden and Rother, so many rural homes sit on protected land.
Along the coast, Brighton & Hove, Hastings and St Leonards have large areas of Regency and Victorian townhouses in conservation areas, many converted into flats, while Peacehaven, Seaford and Bexhill-on-Sea have many interwar and post-war bungalows and houses. That mix means the same request, such as a loft conversion, can be permitted development in one town and a full application in the next.
Brighton & Hove and St Leonards are known for Regency and Victorian townhouses, many now flats, alongside Victorian terraces in areas such as Hanover, Kemptown and Preston Park. Lewes and the downland villages have flint, brick and tile-hung cottages; Wealden towns such as Uckfield and Crowborough mix Victorian villas with later family homes; and Peacehaven, Seaford and Bexhill have many bungalows and chalet bungalows that suit loft conversions and rear extensions. Terraced houses suit rear dormers and kitchen extensions where the site allows.
Our services
Our architects design for Brighton's Regency and Victorian streets, Sussex flint villages and the Wealden countryside, working to the policies of the relevant authority.
Find out more 02We prepare applications to Brighton & Hove City Council, the five district and borough councils and the South Downs National Park Authority, including conservation-area and listed building cases.
Find out more 03Rear and side-return extensions suit Brighton terraces, while bungalows and detached homes across Seaford, Bexhill and the Weald suit larger single-storey extensions.
Find out more 04Bungalow and chalet-bungalow conversions in Peacehaven, Seaford and Bexhill can add bedrooms in the roof, while terraces suit rear dormers where conservation-area rules allow.
Find out more 05We renovate Regency and Victorian townhouses, flint cottages and later homes, including listed buildings where listed building consent is required.
Find out more 06We design and build new and replacement homes, checking National Park and High Weald policy and Ashdown Forest mitigation before the design is fixed.
Find out morePlanning
How it works
We visit, measure up and talk through what you want to build and what the site allows.
Our in-house team draws the scheme and handles planning or a Lawful Development Certificate, plus Building Regulations.
You get an itemised, fixed price in writing before any work starts.
One team builds it, keeps you updated weekly and hands over with a 10-year structural guarantee.
800+ projects completed since 2017 · 4.9★ from 500+ reviews · See our starting prices
Questions
Often, yes. Conservation areas are Article 2(3) land, so loft conversions, side extensions and cladding are not permitted development there. Brighton & Hove City Council also uses Article 4 directions in several conservation areas to control changes such as replacement windows and doors. Many Brighton townhouses are also flats or listed buildings, which need planning permission or listed building consent for most external work. We check the designations for your address first.
Usually, yes. Many East Sussex bungalows and chalet bungalows have roof space that can take a loft conversion with dormers or rooflights. Under permitted development, a detached bungalow can gain up to 50 m³ of roof volume, with dormers kept off the roof slope facing the road. Larger changes, such as raising the ridge, usually need planning permission or prior approval. We check the existing ceiling joists, walls and foundations at the survey.
Yes, but with fewer permitted development rights. The High Weald National Landscape is Article 2(3) land, so side extensions, two-storey rear extensions and the larger prior-approval scheme are not permitted development there, although a single-storey rear extension within 3 m on an attached house or 4 m on a detached house can be. Councils may refer to the High Weald Housing Design Guide, so we design with local tile hanging, weatherboarding and roof forms in mind.
The cost depends on the type of conversion, the roof structure, the staircase position, access and the finish, so we price each one individually. After a free survey we give a fixed-price quote for the agreed scope. Brighton-specific factors, such as scaffolding on narrow streets, conservation-area materials or work to a flat that needs the freeholder's consent, are included in the quote from the start.
Householder applications have an 8-week statutory determination period from validation, whether they go to Brighton & Hove City Council, a district or borough council, or the South Downs National Park Authority. Listed building consent has the same 8-week period. Prior approval for a larger rear extension is decided within 42 days. Conservation-area and National Park cases can take longer if design changes are requested. We confirm the build programme once approvals are in place.
We take on projects across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, including Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Bexhill-on-Sea, Hastings, St Leonards-on-Sea, Rye, Battle, Uckfield, Crowborough and Heathfield. Every project begins with a free survey at the property and a fixed-price quote from our in-house design, planning and build team.