Coach Yard: How our CGIs won planning approval
A Project By: MG Design UK
Location: Leyton, East London
Project Summary:
Set on the site of a demolished factory in Leyton, East London we worked with clear architects to create several photorealistic images with the sole intention of winning planning approval on a site that many would have thought to be undevelopable.
Project Detail:
The space had tight dimensions and an extremely awkward shape but using their creative ingenuity the architects found a way to convert the unusual site to create six exciting and unique homes.
Working closely with the team we brought their vision to life with images that not only showcased the clever use of space but demonstrated a material palette inspired by the site’s industrial heritage whilst complementing the surrounding period properties.
Achieving this level of photorealism requires a masterful application of digital rendering techniques.
The images left no room for ambiguity regarding the development’s physical impact by meticulously presenting a sophisticated material palette.
CGI technology enabled the precise simulation of physically based rendering (PBR) textures, natural global illumination and subtle, soft-edged night lighting, proving to the planning committee exactly how the materials would react to the surrounding environment and change throughout the day.
The result, beautiful exterior and interior images that not only won the planning approval they sought but gave their client visuals to assist with marketing the site to generate early buyer interest. Completed and occupied in 2025, Coach Yard was shortlisted in the 2026 Housing Design Awards.
A perfect example of how MG Design UK produce integral 3D CGI visualisation that can be vital in gaining planning application approval.
This Leyton project shows how precise architectural CGI, photoreal rendering and clear design communication can strengthen the wider built environment network by helping architects and developers secure planning approval on complex urban sites with confidence.
