Our Director Jon Millhouse, both a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, reflects on another busy year for the PDP Heritage team, that saw the addition of some new faces, a welcome return and rewarding work on a diverse range of complex heritage projects across a wide variety of buildings and landscapes. This was also the year in which Jon published his first book!
Heritage 2024 – A year in review
Another successful year for the Heritage team here at PDP. We welcomed a new member to the team, with Mollie Arif joining us in May 2024. Mollie graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2020 with a BA in Geography, and the University of Sheffield in 2021 with an MA in Urban Design and Planning. Having completed an Msc in Urban Planning at Sheffield Hallam University in September 2024, Mollie is now working towards her RTPI chartership on the Degree Apprenticeship pathway and is expecting to submit her APC in Summer 2025.
We also welcomed back Lindsay Cruddas following her maternity leave. A Director at PDP Lindsay qualified as a RIBA Chartered Architect in 2012, after receiving her degrees in architecture at Leeds Metropolitan University. She has a specialist knowledge and interest in historic building conservation, reuse of redundant buildings and residential design. In 2018, Lindsay obtained accreditation to the RIBA Conservation Register as a Specialist Conservation Architect, of which there are currently only 141 in the country.
Last but not least, our Heritage Consultant Ruth Gray celebrates being accepted as an Affiliate of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), having demonstrated the requisite awareness of the built and historic environment conservation practice in line with the IHBC’s eight Competences and four Areas of Competence.
Set for Success
The year was off to a great start for us, with two successful planning approvals for two of our longstanding clients.
The first was with Chevin Homes and their plans to convert and refurbish St Matthews House, a Grade II* former school in Darley Abbey. The building is an architectural gem with an imposing classical façade containing a John Whitehurst clock. It was an early example of a purpose-built school provided by the Evans family for their mill workers children. A highly sensitive and important building it was crucial that changes proposed, so that the building can remain in use, are able to happen yet still enhance and reveal its heritage significance. We worked closely with the council’s conservation teams together with Historic England to ensure a successful outcome for all parties.
Working for our client, Clowes Developments, we were pleased to secure planning permission allowing the refurbishment of the Royal Exchange Buildings in Derby city centre.
A Grade II Listed property, the Royal Exchange Buildings, are located in a Conservation Area on Victoria Street in Derby’s city centre and have played a significant part of the city’s history. Clowes Developments are looking to refurbish the existing offices on the third floor, which led to the submission of a Listed Building application. The upcoming refurbishment, guided by careful planning and conservation efforts, aims to preserve this historic gem while ensuring its relevance in the modern era. By balancing the needs of the present with the importance of the past, the Royal Exchange Buildings will continue to be a cherished part of Derby’s heritage for generations to come.
Heritage in the Headlines
It is rewarding that a number of Derby’s heritage assets are finally getting some over due TLC as part of the city’s ongoing regeneration. Wavensmere Homes has secured a multi-million-pound loan, which will allow work to commence on the £75 million redevelopment of Friar Gate Goods Yard. Having stood inactive for over 5 decades, the developer’s mixed-use scheme will include a painstaking restoration of the 19th Century Bonded Warehouse and Engine House. In addition, there will be extensive new areas of open space, including play areas and pocket parks as well as the retention of the TPO tree buffer, to enhance the biodiversity of the site.
The regeneration of Friar Gate’s Good ‘s Yard follows the company’s earlier success transforming the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary into the new 900 plus new homes Nightingale development and having secured planning permission for Cathedral One – a brand-new apartments scheme in the Cathedral Quarter, overlooking the River Derwent.
Derby City Council will re reopening the city’s historic Victorian Market Hall* in 2025 following a £35 million revamp, and work will commence on the restoration of the city’s historic Guildhall Theatre following confirmation of Government funding.
Appealing successes
Satisfying proof to persevere, we were successful on a number of occasions when appealing unsuccessful planning applications.
One appeal concerned the construction of a dependent relative annexe within the curtilage of a Grade II Listed Building known as Hole in the Wall. The site is one of two 18th century cottages linked by an arch through which Yeldesley Lane passes beneath in Moorend near Bradley in the southwest of the Derbyshire Dales.
Despite seeking pre-application advice from the Council, which acknowledged the acceptability of the development in principle and incorporating the recommended design modifications, the initial application was refused. On behalf of our clients, we submitted an appeal to the Inspectorate, which successfully argued that the proposed annexe had been carefully designed and positioned to minimize any impact on the Listed Building and the surrounding area.
Following an appeal hearing in July, we were delighted to receive the inspector’s decision to grant planning permission for our mixed-use scheme at the village of Brailsford. The proposed development includes up to 75 new homes of which 30% will be affordable housing, public open space, up to 500 square metres of commercial development, pedestrian crossings across the A52, bus stop improvements, a new public footpath and payments towards education and healthcare provision in the area.
In reaching his decision, the inspector agreed that the setting of the listed buildings would not be harmed and that the minor impacts on the setting of the conservation area would be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme, including the delivery of new homes.
Approvals
We were pleased to successfully achieve Planning and Listed Building consent for one of Derbyshire’s most interesting historical sites, the Ockbrook Moravian Settlement. Working in collaboration with Tate and Co Architects for our clients Over the Wall (OTW) Camp, a UK based charity for children and young people with health challenges and disabilities. We achieved consent for a single storey extension and internal alterations to the former school to facilitate its new use as a children’s residential activity camp at the site. This planning success also includes the change of use of The Mews from a nursery to a C2 use to align with the remainder of the site, plus the associated landscaping works.
An 18th century Moravian settlement is of high historical value as one of only a limited number of surviving Moravian settlements. Careful consideration was given to every aspect of the project to ensure that the significance and structural integrity of the buildings remained yet all the needs of the children will be met when the new facility is in use.
We were also delighted to obtain listed building consent for works which will facilitate the reopening of the Vernon Arms public house after many years of closure, on behalf of the Sudbury a state. An old coaching inn dating from 1671, the Vernon Arms is one of the oldest public houses in the county.
We ended the year with listed building consents for the restoration and reuse of two of Derby’s most important Georgian buildings: 28 Friar Gate -a fine late 18th century townhouse close to Friar Gate bridge- and Manor Farm, Mickleover, A grand early 19th century farmhouse with older cottage attached. Both buildings have stood empty for many months and so we look forward to seeing them restored in the near future.
Making a splash in the DVMWHS
Working as Planning Consultants, together with James Boon Architects, we are aiming to secure planning permission for our client Peak UK for a project that would bring textile manufacturing back to Cromford with a new facility to design and manufacture water sports kits.
Peak UK have been manufacturing world-leading kayaking clothing and equipment for over 30 years. For the next phase of their company growth they are looking to transform the former Cromford garden centre at Carrwood Mills into a new manufacturing facility to meet capacity. In addition there are plans for a new centre for the company’s charity arm, Paddle Peak that looks to inspire youngsters to take up paddle sports and better engage with the Cromford Canal and its wildlife.
The ambitious plans were outlined at a special public consultation event, held at Cromford Mills in September and I am pleased to say were well received. We look forward to sharing updates on this project as it moves forward.
Looking ahead
2025 looks to be another successful and interesting year. As a business we continue to expand our geographical coverage, as well as having a number of exciting projects within Derby city centre and the wider Derwent valley Mills World Heritage site that we’ll be announcing shortly.
To discuss how we can assist with your own heritage project, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01332 347371 or email enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk.
