Architecture and Planning News and Advice

News

Leicester – regeneration and heritage in partnership

19th May 2025

In a meeting of minds, members of the Planning & Design Practice Heritage Team were invited by the Leicester Civic Society for a guided tour to view the results of two major regeneration projects that have taken place recently in the city.

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The rise in popularity of self-build projects in the UK

29th April 2025

With the rise in popularity of self-build homes in the UK, our Senior Architect David Symons begins a three-part series looking at the process of self-building in the UK and the importance of finding the right plot.

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Planning success for new homes in Wirksworth

29th April 2025

Planning & Design Practice is pleased to announce that planning permission has been granted for the demolition of an existing dwelling, allowing the construction of 7 high-quality new homes in Wirksworth, Derbyshire Dales for our client Elmhurst Homes.

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Self-build planning and BNG exemption

29th April 2025

In this overview of self-build planning, Chartered Town Planner Richard Pigott looks at the importance of self-build housing to national planning policy, the benefits of the self-build register and the exemption of self-build applications from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) conditions.

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Repurposing rural estates

29th April 2025

Repurposing buildings on an historic rural estate involves several important heritage considerations to ensure that the project is sensitive to the property’s historical and cultural significance. Our Heritage specialists present a guide to what you need to know.

Project Covers and blogs – 2204×1465 (4)

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Class Q success in Cheshire

29th April 2025

A recent planning success for PDP in Cheshire demonstrates the potential of Class Q permitted development rights to deliver much-needed rural housing while respecting the countryside’s character.

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Derby office conversion into HMO approved

29th April 2025

Planning & Design Practice are pleased to have received planning permission from Derby City Council to convert an office unit into a 7-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

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Derbyshire Heritage Charity Expands Buildings at Risk Project to Derby City

31st March 2025

Great news from our friends at the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT). Following the success of its pilot phase in Amber Valley, the DHBT is expanding its innovative Buildings at Risk (B@R) survey to Derby City, thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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Case Study: Farm masterplanning for sustainable rural development

26th March 2025

At Planning & Design Practice, our planners and architects understand the challenges and opportunities that come with farm masterplanning, and the processes involved in creating residential spaces from agricultural buildings.

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Class Q – Major opportunities

26th March 2025

Having talked about the technical challenges of converting barns as well as the design opportunities that these buildings represent. This guide will explore the wider potential of Class Q to redevelop farms to create multiple homes on a single site, build sustainable communities and help to address the housing crisis.

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Transforming Farmland into Residential Spaces:

26th March 2025

At PDP we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with transforming farmland into residential spaces. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for a successful farm masterplanning project.

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Understanding Listed Buildings

25th March 2025

Listed buildings are a significant part of our heritage, offering a glimpse into the past through their unique architectural features. However, owning one comes with a host of considerations, especially if you’re looking to make alterations. This guide sets out everything you need to know.

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The Co-op Cow shines again! A celebration of Derby’s heritage

25th March 2025

With the iconic "Co-Op Cow" once again illuminating the Derby skyline, our Heritage Consultant Ruth Matthews shines the spotlight on the history of this beloved piece of city nostalgia.

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Approved: Exciting Redevelopment Proposal at Market Weighton

25th March 2025

Planning & Design Practice are pleased to have secured consent for the conversion of vacant buildings at the rear of 80 York Road, Market Weighton, Yorkshire into two high-quality residential homes.

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Lawful Development Certificate success

25th February 2025

We are pleased to announce that an application for a Lawful Development Certificate at Whitemeadows Farm, Osmaston, has been successfully approved. This decision formally confirms the long-established use of the site for storage and distribution purposes, providing certainty for its future operations.

PDP_Design Opportunites for Barn Conversions

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Design opportunities for Barn Conversions

25th February 2025

Our Senior Architect David Symons looks at the design opportunities that barn conversions present and makes a case for why living with a barn conversion can be so appealing.

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Planning permission for St. Helen’s memorial

25th February 2025

Planning & Design Practice are delighted to have received planning permission from Derby City Council to allow a plaque with two names missing from a war memorial at St Helens House in Derby.

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New Sheffield office not to be snuffed at!

24th February 2025

Having recently relocated our Sheffield office to Westbrook Court, on the Sharrow Vale Road, our Heritage Consultant Ruth Matthews looks at the history of the building, which happens to be Grade II and is Listed as The Westbrook Snuff Mill.

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Farm Diversification without Full Planning Permission

19th February 2025

Are you looking to diversify your farming operations and generate an income from your agricultural buildings? If so, there are several opportunities to consider. In this blog, we explore various ways you can repurpose your agricultural building without the need to apply for Full Planning Permission.

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Planning approval secured for Peak UK’s new kayaking HQ

17th February 2025

We are pleased to announce that Peak UK Kayaking Co Ltd has been granted planning permission by Derbyshire Dales District Council to redevelop the former Cromford Garden Centre into a new headquarters.

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Bedding in – what last year’s changes to Class Q mean in practice for those looking to convert barns to homes

29th January 2025

As we reported significant changes to the Class Q legislation were introduced in 2024. Eight months on, Chartered Town Planner Richard Pigott looks at what these changes mean in practice for those looking to convert barns into homes.

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Barns and UK Building Regulations: A guide

29th January 2025

Our Senior Architect David Symons presents a guide to the planning considerations of using Class Q Permitted Development Rights to create new homes and the technical realities involved in converting these buildings in order to meet UK Building Regulations.

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Consent for Green Belt workshop conversion

29th January 2025

PDP are pleased to announce that planning consent has been granted for the change of use of a workshop to form a single new home at The Flourish, Dale Abbey, Ilkeston.

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New year, new Sheffield office

29th January 2025

A new year means a new location for our Sheffield office. PDP announce that our Sheffield team have moved into a new home! After 2 and a half years at the iconic structure that is Park Hill, we have moved to Westbrook Court on Sharrow Vale Road.

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Planning fee increases

28th January 2025

The Government has introduced a draft statutory instrument that will raise planning application fees across England. While some planning fee increases are modest, others are more significant. Chartered Town Planner Michael Bamford outlines the increased fees that are coming into effect.

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Derbyshire’s political boundaries

28th January 2025

Following the recently reported news that proposals have been put forward for Derbyshire to become a unitary authority, Ruth Matthews our heritage consultant looks at how the Derbyshire political map has been carved up historically.

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Architecture – a year in review

18th December 2024

Lindsay Cruddas, head of the Architecture team here at PDP looks back on the past 12 months, which saw some new appointments, some new legislation and an interesting portfolio of projects.

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2024…a year in review

18th December 2024

As the year draws to a close and the holidays approach, our Director Richard Pigott, looks back to review what has been an interesting year, and looks ahead to what's in store for 2025, for planning, architecture and heritage.

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Reflections on 2024 – Planning

18th December 2024

2024 has seen some sweeping changes to the planning system, and with the publication of a New National Planning Policy Framework, our Director and Chartered Town Planner Michael Bamford looks ahead to what we can expect in 2025.

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National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

18th December 2024

With the publication of the much-anticipated latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by the government, we look at the significant changes to national policy, focusing on improving housing delivery, protecting the environment, and ensuring sustainable development.

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2025 – Derby’s Olympic Year

17th December 2024

Celebrating our first decade as a Marketing Derby Bondholder, one of the key messages we’ve been hearing is how 2025 is shaping up to be Derby’s Olympic year. We look at some of the key projects that will see the city going for gold in the months ahead!

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Heritage 2024 – a vintage year

17th December 2024

Our Director Jon Millhouse, 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,

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Marketing Derby London Embassy – sounds like team spirit

19th November 2024

On Tuesday 12th November Planning & Design joined around 200 guests, including fellow Bondholders, civic leaders and investors at Mansion House in London to hear about the latest developments in Derby and to celebrate the city’s investment momentum.

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Class Q success at Mansell Spinney

18th November 2024

PDP celebrate a further successful Class Q planning application allowing our client to create a new home in Mansell Spinney, near Ashbourne in the Derbyshire countryside.

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Prior Approval Granted for St Monica’s House Redevelopment in Derbyshire Dales

18th November 2024

We are pleased to report the approval of a significant redevelopment project at St. Monica’s House in Ashbourne. This recently approved Class MA Prior Approval application submitted on behalf of our client BASIS Registration Ltd, will see the conversion of the existing office space into 8 residential apartments.

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Call for Sites – Creating Opportunities

18th November 2024

The Government's draft changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have sparked a noticeable surge in activity on the plan making front in recent weeks. Numerous authorities have issued Call for Sites for housing, employment and biodiversity sites with other local authorities across the region expected to follow.

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PDP Heritage Team volunteer to help identify Derbyshire Buildings at Risk

18th November 2024

Members of Planning & Design Practice’s heritage team attended the launch of a new app designed to help preserve Derbyshire’s most vulnerable buildings at risk.

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Discovering Derbyshire with Jon Millhouse

14th November 2024

Our Director and Heritage Specialist, Jon Millhouse, can now add published author to his list of accomplishments, with the release of his first book, “Derbyshire: A Journey of Discovery”.

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PDP secures consent for new homes and commercial development at Brailsford

23rd October 2024

Following an appeal hearing in July Planning & Design were delighted to receive the inspector's decision to grant planning permission for our mixed-use scheme at Brailsford.

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Lets Copenhagenize our cities, it’s the future

23rd October 2024

For it's annual Study Trip, the team at Planning & Design Practice visited the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Our Director, and Chartered Town Planner Richard Pigott reflects on the trip and what the UK could learn as part of a cycling revolution.

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RTPI Young Planners 2024

23rd October 2024

On Friday 11th and Saturday 12th October, hundreds of Young Planners, including Megan, Mollie and Shaun from our Planning team flocked to Cambridge to attend the annual RTPI Young Planners’ Conference. This year was hosted by the RTPI East of England Young Planners Committee.

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New lease of life for Ockbrook Moravian Settlement

22nd October 2024

The Ockbrook Moravian Settlement is an interesting historical site in Derbyshire, and we are pleased to have successfully achieved Listed Building consent for a single storey extension and internal alterations to a former school to facilitate its new use as children’s residential activity camp at the site.

PDP_Call for Sites North East Derbyshire

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North East Derbyshire Call for Sites equals opportunities

16th October 2024

North East Derbyshire District Council has launched a call for sites. The Council is asking for submissions to help understand where land that can be developed in the future is located within the borough.

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RIBA Stirling Prize 2024

15th October 2024

With the much anticipated RIBA Stirling Prize announced this month, on Wednesday 16th October, members of Planning & Design's Architectural team take a look and give their thoughts on 6 of the worthy candidates for the renowned award.

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Design for life at Carslow Farm

18th September 2024

Having secured Planning Permission for a barn conversion for our client in 2019, our Architect Tina Humphreys visited the site recently to see the completed project and the progress at Carlsow Farm where our designs have been brought to life.

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