Chris Fish is the face behind CMF Planning and Design which he set up in 2006.
Specialising in historic buildings, the 51-year-old has more than 20 years’ experience of planning in the public and private sector and has been involved with more than 200 projects to date.
From gaining planning permission and sorting building regulations to submitting paperwork, Mr Fish can assist clients with their projects from start to completion.
He said: “My role can be anything from gaining planning consent to even giving someone ideas about what they can possibly do. I am quite happy to discuss that and do drawings.
“I can also get building regulations, which is the construction side. I go to specialists for that type of work. It depends how much the clients wants.”
Mr Fish’s services include creating heritage statements, giving expert conservation advice, assisting with appeals and helping to design a project.
He said: “I am very flexible. I have got good local knowledge and experience and I understand what the planning department is going to want in this special area. The design work I do is about what is right for the location. That is very important.”
Having lived in Teesdale for the past 15 years, he is hoping to ensure more people get the most out of their properties.
He said: “I do more than just manage projects. I have done four or five projects in the village such as domestic extensions, getting planning permission for a barn conversion and refurbishing a property, all of which don’t have a standard solution. Each project is individual and each project gets my full attention.”
He added: “It is very important that you have an understanding of what you are looking at. When you are dealing with an older building it is never as you first think it is. Nothing is ever straight forward and that is where I can help.”
In recent years, Mr Fish has played a significant part in a number of developments across the dale.
Mr Fish helped with Cross Lanes Organic Farm’s development near Barnard Castle.
Having worked to develop the design to reflect the area together with environmentally firndly technologies, the popular site has now become one of the country’s best farm shops.
It also won the “outstanding” award in the Durham County Council Environment Awards in 2012.
Mr Fish said: “That was a big thing for me. It underlined that what I was doing for my clients was the right thing. I make sure every job gets 100 per cent regardless of where it is or how big it is.”
Other large-scale projects he has worked on include Scargill Castle, which was transformed into a luxury holiday let, and the prestigious Swinton Park Hotel, near Ripon.
Just a stone’s throw away from his own front door, Mr Fish is currently working to bring more accommodation space to The Ancient Unicorn Inn, in Bowes village.
He said: “It is terrific to be involved with this. Local people will come to me and say they don’t like it and I can explain it.
“It is about being involved with that explanation within the community and being involved with your neighbours that I enjoy.
“It is about enabling people to get businesses up and running too. It generates jobs and brings that bit of wealth into the dale.
“It encourages visitors and encourages them to visit locations that reflect what is special about Teesdale.”
Mr Fish is happy to discuss ideas with potential clients before any charge is incurred. He works from his home office and is also available to visit project sites.
He said: “It is all about encouraging people to appreciate what they have and get a viable use for it. I strive to make older buildings work.
“I find it completely absorbing and very rewarding. You can help someone realise their dreams and help them achieve their aim. If I won the lottery tomorrow I would still do this job.”
For more information call 07886860759.
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