Privacy Policy

This privacy policy explains how Acanthus RH Architects LLP ("Acanthus", "we", "us" or "our") collects, uses and protects personal data when you visit our website or contact us about a project. We are the data controller for the information we collect and are committed to handling it in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who we are

Acanthus RH Architects LLP is a RIBA Chartered architectural practice registered in England. Our registered office is Unit 5, Whitbreads Business Centre, Whitbreads Farm Lane, Little Waltham, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 3FE. You can contact us by email at mail@acanthusrha.co.uk or by phone on +44 1245 400808.

Information we collect

• Contact details you provide via our contact form, email or telephone — such as your name, email address, phone number and details of your enquiry.
• Project information shared with us during a commission — including addresses, drawings, briefs and correspondence.
• Technical data automatically collected when you visit the site — IP address, device and browser type, referring pages and pages viewed. This is used in aggregated, anonymous form to understand how the site is used.
• Cookies — see our cookie policy for details.

How we use your information

• To respond to your enquiry and provide the services you have requested.
• To administer projects, contracts and invoicing.
• To comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations (including RIBA and ARB requirements).
• To maintain and improve the website and our services.
• Occasionally, to share news or project updates — only where you have opted in.

Lawful bases

We process personal data on one or more of the following lawful bases: performance of a contract, legitimate interests (running and improving our practice), compliance with a legal obligation, and consent (for example, marketing communications).

Sharing your information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with trusted third parties where necessary to deliver our services or meet legal obligations — for example, project consultants, contractors, planning authorities, our accountants, IT and hosting providers, or where required by law. All third parties are bound to appropriate confidentiality and data protection terms.

How long we keep it

We keep personal data only for as long as needed for the purposes set out above, or as required by law or professional guidance. Project records are typically retained for the duration of any statutory liability period.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate information.
• Ask us to delete your data, where we no longer have a lawful reason to keep it.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at mail@acanthusrha.co.uk.

Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, disclosure or misuse. No online service is 100% secure, but we continually review our safeguards.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top of this page shows when the policy was last revised.