"I particularly admired Simon’s patience and delicate negotiating skills with the Planning Officers and Conservation Officers involved."

"I have worked with Simon Blake on a number of different projects and have always been impressed with his ability to understand, create and deliver what I set out to achieve. Our projects together have ranged from new build developments through to major works on a Grade II Listed building. Each of the projects had major design and planning issues to resolve and Simon’s enthusiasm never waned. .

He is diligent and focused at every step along the way, regardless of any challenges or complications. His personable and approachable personality makes him easy to communicate with – and communication really is the key to successfully winning Planning Consents. I particularly admired Simon’s patience and delicate negotiating skills with the Planning Officers and Conservation Officers involved.

I have no hesitation in recommending him to others and look forward to our next project together."

Martin Banks

Banks Construction Ltd

"I do not hesitate in recommending CBA to others, whatever their project."

"As a solicitor specialising in planning law, I have come across the work of many architects and had always been impressed with the applications proposed by CBA. Therefore when it came to choosing our own architect I was confident instructing CBA.

It was the right decision. Simon was friendly, relaxed and patient! He listened to our ideas and was able to answer questions quickly and clearly, exploring options that he thought may interest us. He explained the process thoroughly and helped us to make the choices that suited us. Simon produced a design which gives us what we wanted and more to make the most of the space that we have in a budget we can afford.

His attention to detail, knowledge and experience of the local planning authority ensured that our application was dealt with within the time frame and we now have an unconditional planning permission. When we were looking for builders once again Simon assisted and made it easy by producing the tender and receiving the bids.

Development has just started and Simon will continue to provide advice and support if we want it during the build. I am confident that he will do so with the same commitment provided so far with the result that we will have a beautiful home in which every room is used to its full potential as our children grow up. I do not hesitate in recommending CBA to others, whatever their project and should finish by saying thankyou to Simon and the ever friendly Victoria!"

Becky Fowlds

Broadstone Park Road

"I would recommend Charles Blake Associates unreservedly to any prospective parties."

"We were first introduced to Simon and his team by recommendation of our solicitors’, Kitsons some 3 years ago. Since then we have used Simon on numerous projects of both a business and personal nature. This has primarily been with regards to planning and design. We have always found Simon very knowledgeable, professional and pragmatic. Most notably he was successful in gaining us two successive planning consents with a notoriously difficult planning authority which was a credit to him and of great benefit to our business.

An excellent sounding board, Simon is always friendly and approachable and importantly will give an honest appraisal of the requirements that you are seeking.

I would recommend Charles Blake Associates unreservedly to any prospective parties."

Premier Parking Solutions

"A first class service by a first class Company with a bit of fun along the way!"

"We instructed Charles Blake Associates to deal with a rather tricky planning and design project involving a major extension to a Victorian Villa in a Conservation area.

The whole project took over 2 years from start to finish and Simon's attention to detail and enthusiasm never once waned. Not only did he secure a very challenging planning consent, the sympathetic design has been admired by all and sundry.

A first class service by a first class Company with a bit of fun along the way!"

Matt Bettesworth BSc(Hons) MRICS

Bettesworths Chartered Surveyors

"I'd highly recommend CBA to others and shall certainly involve them in any future projects."

"I just wanted to thank you both for the recent work carried out for me in relation to my own home and also my business premises. I found you both to be extremely helpful and Simon's expertise, and his obvious excellent working relationship with council colleagues, ensured the relevant professionals were involved, advice sought, and the required reports were provided to me promptly. I'd highly recommend CBA to others and shall certainly involve them in any future projects."

Jo Spurle

"The smooth running of the project was greatly helped by the advice of CBA and the accuracy of their drawings."

"We first met Simon Blake of Charles Blake Associates to discuss our Newton Abbot project in January 2009. This was to divide the former bowling centre at Greenhill Way, Kingsteignton into two units and to convert our half into a fitness gym.

We purchased our property on 31st March 2009 and completed the construction works by the end of September. This included stripping out and rebuilding the interior, new windows and ventilation system together with all sub trades. The Gym opened for business in October 2009 and a year later has 750 members and is a great success.

The smooth running of the project was greatly helped by the advice of CBA and the accuracy of their drawings."

Ben Longrigg

Proprietor, Winners 2000

"Without CBA we would not have been able to achieve what we have now."

"When we bought our neglected 1830s house in Torquay four years ago, we were complete house-renovation novices; keen and full of ideas but with absolutely no idea where to start.

*Following a recommendation from friends, we called Simon and so began a brilliant working relationship. We wanted to restore the old building to its former glory, and add on a large kitchen/dining room extension. From the outset, Simon was as enthusiastic as us and very knowledgeable. He listened to our ideas and then either incorporated or improved them, without ever dismissing them. Having worked on many period villas before, he was able to unpick the myriad alterations that had been made to our house over the decades, and provide us with the insight to how it must once have looked. *

*Simon’s knowledge of the local planning rules and regulations meant that our plans were approved on the first submission, saving us time, money and stress. *

*Simon is creative, professional and approachable. With his help, we have been able to achieve contemporary living inside an elegant old building. The kitchen/dining room extension designed by Simon is now an impressive garden room that definitely has the wow factor. Without him we would not have been able to achieve what we have now, that is a beautiful, comfortable (and, most importantly, finished) family home." *

Julie Seaward

St Marychurch Villa

"We would have no hesitation in recommending CBA to our family and friends."

"A little late in the day! – but can we say a huge thank you for all your assistance and support in the design of our new extension. We met with several architects at our home with the idea of them listening to what we wanted and then coming up with ideas for our wonderful extension to the rear of the house. To be truthful, we would not have invited some of them back for a return visit, however after our meeting with you we felt very positive and we were more than exited to see the project make a start.

Thank you for you very professional approach to the project and of course to Shirley and I, we felt valued although the plans were modest in size and we appreciated your time and meticulous attention in every detail of the work.

The “wow” fact has certainly been achieve and the space has truly changed the way we live in the house, creating a lovely open plan living area and a wonderful area in which to entertain family and friends.

We would have no hesitation in recommending you to our family and friends."

David & Shirley Dabbs

Livermead

"Thankfully Charles Blake Associates were well experienced in Listed Buildings."

"This is just brief note to thank Charles Blake Associates for the work that they completed at our property. My wife and I had never lived in a Listed Building before, however were well aware of the pitfalls that can befall the owners. Thankfully Charles Blake Associates were well experienced in Listed Buildings area and had a real appreciation of the building, the history and how it could be modified with sympathy to the fantastic original features. The other area which is daunting is the that of the navigation of the various authorities, and here Charles Blake Associates surpassed themselves ensuring that we gained the necessary permissions seemingly without effort."

Richard & Dorthe Cook

Wellswood Park

"We couldn't be happier!"

"We have recently completed a fabulous orangery extension, designed by Simon Blake of Charles Blake Associates. We are so pleased with our new space, which completes our home perfectly. At all times, we found Simon to be an excellent communicator, competent and cooperative. Regarding planning, Simon really helped us with the ‘eleventh hour' concerns from the council and we really believe it was Simon's expertise and assured discussions which enabled us to proceed.

If you are looking for an imaginative, skilled and confident professional, I thoroughly recommend Simon Blake. We couldn't be happier!"

Brendon & Helen Prince

Silverdale

"I was not disappointed, Simon showed a passion for the project, a desire to make things happen, a creative but at the same time sympathetic mind."

"My partner and I arrived in Brixham in February 2011, not knowing a sole. We duly purchased a run down detached Victorian house (Prospect House) with plans to totally renovate it and change it into a B & B. I asked 4 x local architects to tender for the work, Simon being one of them. I knew immediately on our first meeting that Simon was someone who I could work with bit most of all who I could trust. Simon was not the cheapest, but immediately showed an understanding and an empathy. I was not disappointed, Simon showed a passion for the project, a desire to make things happen, a creative but at the same time sympathetic mind. Simon was prop active to the needs of the project and re-active to my sometimes drastic demands, but always kept a cool head. We now run a successful B & B in Brixham, namely Beacon House., Simon, I’m pleased to say has been a major contributor to its success."

Nigel & Amanda Makin

Beacon House