About us

About us

We pride ourselves on finding innovative solutions to challenging projects. 

Based at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, we are a ‘one-stop shop’ providing Architectural Design, Planning Advice, Project Management and Construction all under one roof.

Everything under one roof

We specialise in building, extending and renovating homes in the Derbyshire Dales, the Peak District and Beyond. 

The OakenStone team offers RIBA chartered architecture, innovative design, skilled trusted trades, and highly experienced project management to ensure that your new home is completed on time, on budget and to the high standard you (and we) demand. 

Design

Understanding what matters to you, we will develop a detailed solution for your approval and present it in a form that enables your ideas to become reality

planning

Whether it's Planning Permission or Pre-construction planning, let our wise & experienced team drive your project through. We have experience working with all the local Planning authorities and bodies.

Build

A team of skilled and committed tradesmen led by passionate design and project managers. It's not just bricks and mortar - it's your home and it should be perfect

An intimate knowledge of the administration of the planning system.

Let us help you navigate the maze of planning rules and regulations 

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Design and Management team

We only work with trusted, highly skilled, local building contractors, to ensure we deliver your project to the highest standards

James Probert

Director - Head of Technical Design
James is the co-founder of Oakenstone along with close friend and colleague, Dave Mowle.

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Dave Mowle

Director - Designer and Operations Manager
As Oakenstone’s lead designer and value engineer, Dave will often be your first point of contact on-site. Some say he looks familiar

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Richard Bradbury

Architect
Before joining OakenStone, Richard worked as a consultant with Dave and James for over twenty years on a wide range of local projects.

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Marcus Bell

Finishing
co-ordinator
He’s THE FINISHER which sounds brutal but as he puts it, he gets to do all the pretty things; everything from plastering onwards is his domain.

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Pete Newberry

Operations and Administration Support
Pete is the first point of contact for any client calling the office and runs the day-to-day administration of the office .

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Oliver Edwards

Building Designer
Olly is the newest member of our team and is one of our CAD wizards.

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Hero

Office Security
Hero spends most of her time milling about the office. All visitors are more than welcome to accept the challenge of trying to pull the tennis ball out of her mouth.

Why choose OakenStone for your next building project?

The OakenStone team will support you through the entire design and construction process, from the first meeting to the last lick of paint.

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Understanding what matters to you

Experienced team

OakenStone is all about flexibility, innovation and, above all, satisfied customers.

Our team of experienced architects, designers and skilled, trusted tradesmen will focus on your precise wishes to deliver cost-effective solutions to any project.

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Peace of mind

Creating a home for you

We understand that your home will probably be the largest investment of your life. We want you to sleep peacefully in the knowledge you have the best-built house possible.

OakenStone offers RIBA chartered architecture realised by the finest trades people and builders, all supported by our full project management.

One Stop Shop

We will manage the entire project, from discussing initial ideas through to the finished build

Clear budgeting

Detailed, realistic budgets will clearly set out all the costs you will have to pay with no ‘hidden surprises’

Dedicated Manager

Your dedicated project manager will communicate with you regularly, throughout the project

Local Knowledge

We have excellent relationships with the local Planners Authorities & only work with trusted local tradesmen & suppliers

Our passion is bringing harmony between the old and the new at an affordable price. Whether it's a single room or whole house project, we relish the process of making the best of the past, giving it a fresh life and integrating it with the benefits of modern materials, methods and technology.
James Probert
Director, OakenStone

Frequently asked questions

Will I also need an architect?

Our team of experienced designers include fully qualified RIBA architects so we can tailor our service and its cost to suit every project -  the full Architectural Design service with the added value that we will see it through to the finished construction.

What sort of budgets do you work with?

Our projects have budgets starting in the region of £100,000. Some of our larger housing projects are in the multi-million pound. If you are looking at a smaller project, such as a bathroom redesign, then we're probably not going to be the best fit for you.

Why should we choose OakenStone?

Because our team will take personal expert care of your project from the day you first talk to us until the time you have settled into your newly built or improved home. View our short film explaining why people have chosen us. 

How do I find out more?

Just get in touch with us to arrange a free consultation with Dave Mowle at your home. He will be talk you through the various design, planning, budgetry and construction issues that need to be considered.

Previous PRojects

A New Build in an Old Quarry

A gallery of images charting the journey of this fantastic build, from breaking ground and undertaking huge excavations, to the highest quality finishing and detailing. The result was an impressive High-Performance, Low-Carbon Home.

Swallowtail Barn, Kniveton

Swallowtail Barn A super-efficient Low carbon barn Conversion Oakenstone Design Planning Build worked closely with the clients to create this truly special home, nestled in a spectacular corner of the Derbyshire Dales.  Ground Source heating connected to heat pumptechnology and a super-insulated, airtight building mean…

Parsonage Terrace, Bakewell

Our client had initially been told that her attic did not have the required height to create a loft conversion as she explained when she first contacted us. On our first consultation visit we could see the problem but also a clear solution.

Cavendish

Our initial brief was a kitchen extension but at the client's request this grew into a much larger project that included the relocation of the main entrance to create a grand hallway, a hand-made kitchen, underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and a modern extension.

Arrange a site visit

Book a FREE initial consultation with Dave Mowle