Planning Design worked with Morrison Design Ltd to secure planning permission for a large local Derbyshire employer, Lubrizol.

The approved development plans include a new conference centre & meeting rooms, offices with a staff fitness facility and an energy centre at local Derbyshire employer, Lubrizol.

Lubrizol are a provider of specialty chemicals for transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These includes additives for engine oils and additives for industrial lubricants and such. The Hazelwood Campus employs 380 people and the company is the largest research & development employer in Amber Valley.

The Lubrizol Campus is extensive and has been built and developed over a 70 year period from the end of WWII. Michael Bamford, an RTPI Chartered Planning consultant in our Sheffield Office, worked with the design team and our client to prepare, submit and manage the planning application.

The applications represented the extension of an existing business and whilst the site was located within open countryside and therefore contrary to the extant Amber Valley Local Plan, the relevant policy was deemed out of date as it was not compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which encourages economic growth in rural areas. It was therefore largely acceptable under both national and neighbourhood planning policy. However detailed issues such as visual amenity and noise generation had to be carefully considered to ensure any negative impacts were mitigated.

The proposed design included a sympathetic palate of materials with natural stone and sedum flat roofs. The site boundaries had the benefit of being extensively planted which restricts the view of potential development.

The proposals included enhancing the planting further in order to better screen the development, but additionally to promote biodiversity.

Planning & Design Practice have a wealth of experience in designing and securing planning permission for commercial projects such as this.

We have the required skills to design both small and large scale schemes in-house and tailor the design to the client’s unique specifications. For more information on how we can assist your business aspirations, please contact us on 01332 347371.