Appointed to provide a consistent, end‑to‑end planning applications service to support the delivery of a large annual programme of window and door replacements across general needs homes, mixed tenure, care and support schemes, estates, and heritage properties.
The client
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) is a long-term client of FFT. They provide affordable housing across London, the South East, East Midlands and the East of England, managing in the region of 58,000 homes.
In addition, the organisation provides a range of care and support services, specialising in older people, mental health, and transitional services for vulnerable people. A member of the National Housing Federation and Former Chair of the G15, MTVH influences policy for the benefit of its residents and the wider sector.
The project
MTVH deliver a large annual programme of window and door replacements across general needs homes, mixed tenure, care and support schemes, estates, and heritage properties. To manage differing planning requirements across numerous local authorities—including Lambeth, Southwark, and regions across London, North and East Anglia—they appointed FFT to provide a consistent, end‑to‑end planning applications service. This includes surveys, CAD drawings, technical evidence, and heritage‑compliant reporting for Listed and conservation properties.
Our role
FFT manage the entire planning process on behalf of MTVH, from initial portfolio review through to submission and liaison with Local Planning Authorities. Our services include resident access coordination, measured surveys, detailed window and door condition assessments, heritage appraisals, and preparation of all scaled CAD drawings. We compile validation packs, planning statements, repair‑versus‑replacement evidence, and re‑submit previously refused applications with full supporting information. Central to this programme is FFT’s in‑house CAD team, enabling fast turnaround, consistent graphical quality, and complete control over drawings and detailing across the whole portfolio.
Services provided
The challenges
The programme spans a wide mix of building types, planning authorities, and heritage constraints. Historic refusals had resulted from missing technical evidence, inconsistent drawings, and lack of condition surveys, requiring a structured re‑submission strategy. Heritage properties demanded extensive window‑by‑window assessments, conservation‑compliant profiles, and detailed justification for repairs or replacements. Volume also presented challenges—coordinating access for dozens of surveys, ensuring timely drawing production, and responding to varying validation requirements across councils.
Added value
FFT’s integrated surveying and CAD capability significantly accelerated MTVH’s planning programme. Our standardised templates, heritage survey formats, and validation-ready submission packs reduced invalidations and improved approval rates. The in‑house CAD team provided a major efficiency gain—eliminating outsourcing delays, enabling rapid updates, and delivering consistent outputs across different boroughs. Our proactive communication with MTVH’s teams ensured transparency, smoother scheduling, and better control over programme delivery.
The outcome
MTVH now benefit from a reliable, end‑to‑end planning service that de‑risks submissions and supports a smoother capital delivery programme. Previously refused applications were fully rebuilt and re‑submitted with comprehensive new evidence. Window and door applications across London and East Anglia are being validated more quickly, with fewer queries and improved success rates. The enhanced workflow allows MTVH to progress replacement works efficiently, improving thermal comfort, security, and long‑term performance for residents across a diverse property portfolio.