News Archives - Page 42 of 45 - Planning Design Ltd

PDP run the Derby 10K!

19th August 20198th May 2019 by Gary Stringer

Jonathan Jenkin, Jon Millhouse, Richard Pigott, Rebecca Beardsley and Rory Bradford from our Derby office ran the Derby 10k on 7th April to raise money for Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity. The event was well attended with 5,000 runners at the start line!

The atmosphere was great and the course was nice and flat (PBs all around!) with the race starting at Pride Park, following the A6 into and around the city centre before turning back towards the home of Derby County.

This is the first event we have completed to fund raise this year. On the 19th May some of us will be completing the Ashbourne Triathlon. So far, we have raised £365 for the Hospitals Charity.

If you would like to sponsor us ahead of our next event, you can at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/PlanningDesign

Biodiversity Net Gain – Impact on Planning Applications

19th August 20198th May 2019 by Gary Stringer

In the Spring Statement the Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that the government will use the planning system to mandate a net biodiversity gain from new development. However, the Consultation by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) left open questions about how the scheme will work in practice.

Biodiversity net gain will be measured by Defra’s biodiversity metric. The metric developed by Defra and Natural England allows practitioners to assess a habitat in terms of its value to wildlife, condition and size and thus calculate habitat losses and gains.

Under the NPPF development ‘should’ enhance the environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity. Defra propose making this mandatory by updating planning guidance. This is likely to come forward in the Environment Bill due to be published before the summer.

The aim will be to avoid harm, then seek to mitigate harm before being allowed to compensate for habitat loss. Lichfield DC currently mandate a 20% gain in net biodiversity and this seems to work as they report average net gains of 60%.

Defra are considering an exemption for small schemes 10 units or 1,000sqm, also to exempt development on Brownfield Land and on commercial industrial land.

Offsetting could involve more Section 106 monies and Ecology reports will add £2,000+ to the upfront costs of a planning application submission.

Garden Identification, World Heritage Buffer Zone and Other Planning Issues

19th August 20198th May 2019 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design recently worked on behalf of a client who had bought a house in Milford, which sits the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Buffer Zone. The house they bought has a beautiful garden facing out toward open countryside. They wanted to erect a garden building that would allow them to make the most of the superb green space at the back of their property.

Unbeknown to the client the garden had previously been part of an agricultural field which the farmer sold to the residents of the row of houses that abutted his land. The financial agreement reached between the residents and the farmer did not however deal with the planning status of the land. When the client undertook the earth works required to lay the foundations for the garden building, they were approached by a planning officer who informed them they would need to have the change of use of the land confirmed by the planning authority. We were brought into the project at a stage where the client was facing enforcement action, and as such there was an impetuous to get an application for the change of use of the land compiled quickly and effectively.

The other factor influencing the equation was the fact that the property lies within the Buffer Zone, which meant producing a detailed Heritage Impact Assessment to submit alongside the planning statement. Such an assessment requires consideration of the way in which the proposed development would influence the contribution of heritage assets. In this instance we were able to demonstrate that the domestic paraphernalia associated with garden land and the proposed garden buildings would tie into the existing landscape without appearing out of place.

We received approval for the erection of the buildings and the land is now formally recognised by the planning authority as being a domestic garden. No enforcement action was taken by the authority and we have helped set a further precedent for the rest of the residents on the row of buildings to secure the change of use of their gardens.

Fire Stopping and Part B of Building Regulations

19th June 20238th May 2019 by Gary Stringer

Not long ago the BBC published an article on fire stopping or more the lack there of that had been found in properties built by one of the Nation’s largest domestic house developers. This comes as a surprise to some but unfortunately not too many. Developers have been scrutinised for many years for cutting corners and developing poor quality estates, all over the UK.

Essentially, the fire stopping had over 50 cases either not been installed, or installed to an unacceptable standard. Without even taking into consideration that Building Regulations are there to save lives and make buildings safe, these are some of the most important features of a home. When you have divisions between floors, or ownership, in a Semi-detached house for instance, these features are what save the overall building from completely being lost to fire. Fire stopping is installed between the party walls and the roof so that the fire is slowed or stopped from passing from property to property. You can imagine how disastrous this could be on a street of Terraces.

Whether the original plans had accounted properly for the separations and fire safety, I will never know. If you deal with reputable and competent designers and engineers, your plans will always account for the correct and most up to date standards where safety is concerned. Building Regulations can be long drawn out processes and drafting drawings for your extension or new build may feel like a long waiting game, but we take our time to keep you safe and design top specification homes and businesses.

PDP secure planning consent for barn conversion scheme near Belper

28th August 20198th May 2019 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice recently gained planning permission for the conversion of a range of farm buildings to 4 dwellings at Lawn Farm located on the western slopes of the Derwent Valley a short distance from Belper and Ambergate.

Lawn Farm was historically a part of the wider Hurt family estate and lies within the Buffer Zone to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, meaning any conversion must be particularly sympathetic to the rural character of the landscape. The main cluster of farm buildings consists of traditional stone barns in a U-shape, some of which have been demolished and replaced with other structures. What was once an internal courtyard to the traditional buildings has been entirely infilled with modern agricultural barns.

We were approached by the client to prepare designs to convert the buildings into a number of dwellings, one of which they would like to live in themselves. After a brainstorm of ideas and a variety of sketches, it was agreed that the buildings forming the U shape, would be best converted to 4 dwellings varying in size from 2 to 5 bedrooms. The only significant rebuilding will be in the North-East corner of the range of buildings. It was evident from a 1971 photograph that there was formerly a traditional stone farm building in this corner which had been replaced by a steel framed hay barn. Photographic evidence was also used as the justification for 2 new single storey garages at the opening to the U shape and 2 more garages on the outer edges to replace redundant modern agricultural buildings.

Throughout the application a number of issues were raised, particularly relating to Highway safety and heritage, but we negotiated extensively with the local planning and highway authorities to achieve an acceptable solution for all. The designs respect the agricultural character of the buildings with the number of new openings kept to a minimum. The removal of the modern buildings that are currently inside the U-shape will create an inner courtyard, reinstating the farm’s former character.

We look forward to continuing our involvement during the construction phase and seeing this farmstead restored to its former glory.

PDP secures permission for 175 homes in Nether Heage, Derbyshire

20th August 20193rd April 2019 by Gary Stringer

The Firs Works is a 10ha site lying on the western edge of Nether Heage about 3 miles north of Belper. The site lies outside the Green Belt but abuts it on two sides and on the third is the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Buffer Zone.

The site contains industrial and commercial buildings which were developed following the use of the land as a camp in the 1940s. The site has been excavated to accommodate the current set of buildings on the site, creating a level site on what was a sloping hillside. Most of the developed site is either buildings or hardstanding, with eaves heights of up to 10m and ridge heights of up to 12m. Surrounding the land are areas of landscaping and planting.

The site is not easily visible from Crich Lane to the west, with the buildings hidden below the excavated escarpment. To the east, the buildings sit on the crown of the hill and are prominent across Nether Heage and Heage. The site is clearly visible from Heage Windmill.

The site is accessed via a set of minor rural roads from either the A6 or from Ripley and the B6013 via Brook Street and Spanker Lane. HGV traffic has to negotiate narrow roads making the site less suited to modern industrial and commercial operations.

Use of the site has fallen away in recent years and back in January planning permission was granted for the use of the staff car park on the other side of Spanker Lane to be redeveloped for the construction of 30 homes.

The council has a shortfall in housing land (3.34 years) but no shortfall in industrial or commercial land. The council has recently adopted a policy which seeks the release of Green Belt land to accommodate their housing needs, but in doing so existing brownfield sites must be considered first in order that the minimum amount of Green Belt land released.

The application was for 175 dwellings, consisting of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes, using the land which has already been developed. Existing buildings will be demolished and replaced by houses, bungalows and flats. The proposals include affordable housing, open space, recreation facilities and a community centre. Existing edge landscaping will be retained and strengthened with large areas of hardstanding broken up and replaced with gardens and green space. The overall level of built development will reduce and the form and massing of the buildings will be smaller. The redevelopment of this site offers the opportunity to reduce problems of surface water run-off and flooding, with new flood balancing facilities on land in the applicant’s ownership. This will reduce problems suffered by local residents in previous years. The transport statement indicated no material increase in traffic but with HGV and staff travel replaced by resident’s vehicles.

The redevelopment of the land will significantly increase the number of residents in Nether Heage, adding 40% to the village population. Heage School is about 1km away and the local secondary school is Swanwick. Both the primary and secondary school are close to capacity, requiring significant Section 106 monies for education. Other services have capacity to accommodate the development. The site can be accessed by bus and Ambergate railway station only a mile to the North West.

The site is reasonably well related to existing services and facilities and although not ideal in locational terms, the site is clearly preferable to the release of Green belt land (including a proposed release of land for 180 dwellings at Heage within a mile of this site).

The application drew significant levels of objection from local residents concerned about the scale of development. The objectors also had an issue with a perceived increase in road traffic but given that there were no objections from the County Highways Officer, little weight was given to this concern.

The application was recommended for approval (subject to the successful completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure education and other payments and the provision of affordable housing). At committee 8 objectors spoke. Richard Pigott from Planning Design Practice then spoke in favour of the development. After significant debate, principally over the dilemma of loss of employment land, and the scale of development; the application was approved by 6 votes to 4 because of the shortfall in housing land and the need to minimise the impact on the Green Belt.

Development of this site is scheduled to start within 5 years, with reserved matters to be submitted soon. In the meantime the owner of the site will use part of the site to develop a pilot plant to extrude aluminium using the very latest technology.

Amber Valley is one of the last Local Planning Authority areas in the East Midlands without a 5 year housing land supply so remains the focus for speculative development.

Any brownfield site within Amber Valley (unless it is part of a primary employment site or has a history of contamination) is potentially suitable for housing. Also non-green belt sites if they are adjacent to towns or villages can also be considered.

Please feel free to contact us at Planning & Design Practice if you have any land in Amber Valley and are looking for development.

Degree apprenticeship for town planners gets green light from Government

19th June 20233rd April 2019 by Gary Stringer

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has announced that the first degree-level apprenticeship to train Chartered Town Planners in England has been approved by the Government, with employers in England able to recruit candidates immediately to start the programme this autumn.

This is a new route into the profession that combines academic education with practical experience to equip future employees with vital skills as well as a degree. Existing graduates or employees with no planning qualifications may be eligible. There is strong interest for the scheme, with over 80 employers interested in employing apprentices and at least six universities working to offer the apprenticeship from this September.

Victoria Hills, RTPI Chief Executive, said:

“I am delighted that we can finally boost the training of planners that the country so desperately needs, and make this exciting profession accessible to many more people who might not have considered it before. The fact that we have successfully embedded our tried and tested route of assessment for Chartered membership in the degree apprenticeship testifies to the RTPI’s role and expertise in assessing professional competence, and is especially timely as we prepare to celebrate 60 years of our Royal Charter.”

Here at Planning & Design we are keeping a close eye on this new route into Planning as we have had a number of successful apprentices in the design team over the years and know how beneficial apprenticeships can be for both employer and employee.

PDP secure planning consent for 35 new dwellings in South Wingfield

20th August 20193rd April 2019 by Gary Stringer

South Wingfield lies about 2 miles west of Alfreton in Amber Valley. It is a village of over 1500 inhabitants with a good primary school, a doctor’s surgery, shops, and community facilities. The southern end of the village is a conservation area and this part of the village is dominated by South Wingfield Manor an important heritage asset.

Amber Valley is under great pressure to find housing land to meet it’s own housing needs and some of Derby’s housing, as part of an agreement with the City of Derby and South Derbyshire Councils. All parts of the Borough have to take some housing and South Wingfield as a sustainable settlement with a school short of pupils, was identified by Amber Valley as having the capacity to take a small number of additional homes.

The site, at the north end of the village was identified. The land was included in the Draft Local Plan as a housing allocation over 2 years ago. The site was subject to two rounds of public consultation and was discussed at the Local Plan Examination hearings last June. At the hearing there were no objections from the Parish Council and no objections from local residents. The site was not controversial.

When the outline planning application was submitted for 35 homes there was an immediate outcry, 122 letters of objection were submitted to the Borough Council and the Parish Council sought to strongly resist the proposals. There were no objections from highways or other statutory consultees and the planning authority duly recommended approval.

The meeting was highly charged. The atmosphere was hostile as sixty residents with members of the Parish Council sought to browbeat the committee and planning officers. There were 9 speakers against the application that’s 27 minutes of contentious objection. We had 3 minutes to speak in favour.

South Wingfield Parish Council verbally attacked Councillors, in their objections speech, not something that we would ever recommend. There was an objection speech from the Local Councillor (a conservative) but she was not on Planning Committee.

Amber Valley Council are politically finely balanced and hold elections every year. It is common that the lead party supports officer recommendation but the opposition tend to vote with objectors to carry favour before the next election.

At Planning Committee there is a conservative majority of one plus the chairman and his casting vote if the vote is level.

After a rowdy debate, members voted 5/5 and the chairman used his casting vote. A win 6/5.

Solicitors are now drawing up the Section 106 Agreement. Once signed, a detailed application will follow.

This was an uncomfortable meeting, with objectors behaving poorly.

The management and organisation of the meeting could have been better and objectors could have been told more clearly how they should behave. Without effective policing decisions can be made to please the crowd. We were pleased that this did not happen.

New team member – Fernando Collado Lopez

20th August 20193rd April 2019 by Gary Stringer

Fernando is an ARB registered architect who joined Planning & Design Practice in February 2019. He has previously worked in a variety of practices and locations including the United States, Spain and London. He has worked on high rise residential, education, religious, and retail projects. Currently he is working on a variety of vernacular domestic projects developing further his interest in conservation.

As well as having a strong interest for the multiple aspects of the design process, he is also passionate about landscape architecture and sustainable landscapes, art, culture, heritage and the outdoors. In his spare time Fernando takes the opportunity to participate in art exhibitions, displaying some of his many paintings and sculptures.

Comprising town planners, architects and architectural assistants our staff bring a wealth of experience from a range of backgrounds and various parts of the UK. Our planners have worked in the public & private sectors, and have excellent working relations with Local Planning Authorities. This often proves invaluable and is a key to our success.

PDP run the Derby 10K!

Biodiversity Net Gain – Impact on Planning Applications

Garden Identification, World Heritage Buffer Zone and Other Planning Issues

Fire Stopping and Part B of Building Regulations

PDP secures permission for 175 homes in Nether Heage, Derbyshire

Degree apprenticeship for town planners gets green light from Government

PDP secure planning consent for 35 new dwellings in South Wingfield

New team member – Fernando Collado Lopez

Offices

Services

Useful Links

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

GET IN TOUCH