Grand Designs Live recently returned to Birmingham, bringing together the best in architecture, design and construction. The convention centre was buzzing with interest and ideas, and there was a real sense of innovation in the air.
Lapworth Architects, a partner of UK Planning Gateway, were also part of the show. Based in Birmingham and only a short distance from the venue, the firm has a strong history stretching back more than 30 years. In that time, they’ve worked on heritage restorations, commercial projects with Lidl, and designed homes across the West Midlands that are both forward-looking and practical to live in.
Alex Lane, an architect at Lapworth Architects, took part in the Ask an Expert sessions at the show, advising homeowners on extensions, loft conversions and listed buildings. It gave visitors a chance to get genuine, experience-based advice (not sales talk) from someone who understands how local planning actually works.
Lapworth Architects weren’t just there to give one-off advice. They’ve submitted thousands of planning applications to Birmingham City Council and Solihull Council over the years. That kind of experience builds an instinct for what local authorities look for, how validation works, and what tends to get approved.
It’s that first-hand experience, built up over three decades, that shaped the development of UK Planning Gateway. The platform wasn’t built in theory. It came from the same people who spend every week preparing and submitting applications, dealing with council feedback, and refining drawings to meet local policies. That’s what makes UK Planning Gateway different from generic online form-fillers. It’s designed around how architects actually work.
Lapworth have already used UK Planning Gateway to submit multiple planning applications in Birmingham and Solihull, streamlining the process for their clients and their team.
UK Planning Gateway isn’t just another AI platform. The future of planning isn’t about replacing professionals with technology. It’s about connecting professional expertise with digital tools that make the process faster, smarter and more accurate. The human element is what makes UK Planning Gateway work so well.
Homeowners can still start by talking to an expert like Alex, but now they can take the next step more easily through UK Planning Gateway.
What is Grand Designs Live?
Grand Designs Live is an exhibition inspired by the Channel 4 TV series Grand Designs, which focuses on design-led self-builds and renovations across the UK. The show brings together architects, designers, suppliers and homeowners under one roof for talks, live demonstrations and free one-to-one advice sessions. It takes place twice a year, in London and Birmingham, and is known for its focus on innovation, sustainability and practical design.
Who are Lapworth Architects
Lapworth Architects were founded in 1989 and have spent more than 30 years designing and delivering projects across Birmingham, Solihull and the wider West Midlands. Their work ranges from heritage restoration and green belt homes to supermarket developments and urban mixed-use schemes.
The firm combines conceptual design with strong planning knowledge and technical experience, and has earned awards from CABE and the Sunday Times British Homes Awards for sensitive and high-quality design.
Their long experience with local authorities, especially councils in the West Midlands, gives them a practical edge that clients value. Every project benefits from that mix of creativity, precision and understanding of how the planning process really works.