Across Suffolk and Norfolk, 2026 marks a turning point in how we approach residential and heritage construction. With evolving planning policy, the growing pressure of sustainability targets, and renewed investment in high-end housing, the role of the structural engineer is more central than ever – especially in a region as architecturally rich and environmentally sensitive as East Anglia.

At GC Robertson, we see these shifts first-hand every day. From Georgian townhouses in Bury St Edmunds to coastal cottages in Aldeburgh and timber-framed homes in Woodbridge, property owners are looking for thoughtful ways to adapt and futureproof historic buildings without compromising their original character.

Premium locations across Suffolk and Norfolk – particularly Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Bury St Edmunds and the Ipswich fringes – are seeing sustained demand for restoration, extensions, and high-spec renovation. These aren’t speculative builds or generic developments. They’re long-term investments in heritage homes, where sensitivity to materials, history, and hidden structural challenges is essential. We’re increasingly asked to assess and stabilise movement in flint walls, correct historic timber fatigue, and design modern interventions – such as open-plan conversions or basement additions – that respect the integrity of the original structure.

Retrofitting continues to be a major theme as we move toward 2026. With the majority of East Anglia’s housing stock built well before modern standards, clients are seeking energy upgrades that go beyond insulation. Structural support for solar arrays, adjustments for air source heat pumps, and reconfigured floor layouts to accommodate new technologies are becoming standard parts of our design briefs. In towns like Ipswich and Norwich, infill developments and conversions of historic buildings now regularly include both sustainability goals and conservation constraints – a balancing act that demands specialist input from the outset.

New planning and drainage legislation is also influencing how homes are designed and altered. From April 2026, all new developments and extensions in England will require Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), meaning even smaller residential projects must consider rainwater attenuation, permeable paving, or soakaways as part of their planning approval. In flood-prone or coastal zones like Southwold and the Broads, this will be a critical compliance point – and one that’s best addressed in close coordination with the structural engineer.

Across the board, we’re seeing a shift toward earlier collaboration. Clients want structural insight not only to resolve problems but to shape design ambition – whether it’s discreetly reinforcing a 200-year-old beam to support a mezzanine, or advising on foundation depth for a new garden room in a conservation area. Architects, too, are turning to us earlier in the process, especially where planning officers require robust justification for heritage adaptations.

In this environment, experience matters. GC Robertson has worked across East Anglia for over 50 years. We understand the engineering beneath Suffolk’s clay soils, the salt-laden winds of the Norfolk coast, and the subtleties of traditional construction methods that modern materials alone can’t replicate. Our focus on residential and heritage work isn’t a sideline – it’s what we do best.

As 2026 approaches, we’re ready to help property owners, developers, and design teams navigate a changing construction landscape with care, clarity, and structural confidence.

Looking to adapt or restore a property in Suffolk or Norfolk? Speak to GC Robertson – trusted structural engineers for East Anglia’s heritage and high-end residential projects.