Andrew Stock Planning & Design Practice Archives

Solar PV Farm within Green Belt to power up to 952 homes per year

20th February 202325th January 2023 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice is pleased to announce that planning permission has recently been secured for a 4.2MWp solar PV farm on a former landfill site within the Nottingham-Derby Green Belt.

The proposed 6.7ha solar farm would have the capacity to generate approximately 4.2MWp of electricity, enough to power up to 952 homes per year and offset over 1,790 tonnes of CO2 every year4, the equivalent of taking 747 cars off the road. It is anticipated that the solar farm will take up to 3 months to construct and will have an operational life of 25 years. Following construction of the solar farm, the site will be seeded with an appropriate grassland mix.

**Figure 1:** Approved constructional layout

**Figure 2:** Approved landscaping layout

National planning policy is strongly in favour of renewable energy developments. In particular section 14 ‘Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and costal change’ of the National Planning Policy Farmwork (2021) sets out key considerations in respect of climate change, stating the Government’s belief that this is not simply an environmental matter, but one which encompasses social, economic and environmental issues.

The application site is located within the Nottingham-Derby Green Belt. Inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and would not be approved except in very special circumstances.

Paragraph 151 of the NPPF states:

“When located in the Green Belt, elements of many renewable energy projects will comprise inappropriate development. In such cases developers will need to demonstrate very special circumstances if projects are to proceed. Such very special circumstances may include the wider environmental benefits associated with increased production of energy from renewable sources.”

It was successfully argued that the proposal will make a meaningful and valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gases and to meeting the UK’s renewable energy targets, and this factor should attract substantial weight in the overall planning balance. The very special circumstances necessary to justify the proposal were demonstrated, in this case, and therefore the scheme did not conflict with local or national Green Belt policies.

Solar farms are a simple and established technology providing a source of safe and clean energy which produce zero emissions when in operation. Solar energy is not only sustainable; it is renewable, meaning that we will never run out of it. It also enjoys the highest levels of public support for renewable energy in the UK, with 85% of the public in favour.

The Planning Team at Planning and Design Practice Ltd, on behalf of our client successfully liaised with key stakeholders in the preparation, submission and management of the planning application. The team of Chartered Town Planners are well versed in understanding and promoting renewable energy developments for all stakeholders to ensure the best possible case if put forward.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free no obligation consultation to discuss your project on 01332 347371 or enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk.

Andrew Stock, Associate Director (Chartered Town Planner) – Planning & Design Practice Ltd.

Planning success promotes industry

20th December 202214th December 2022 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice Ltd is pleased to announce that planning permission has been secured for the erection of 3 no. commercial/industrial buildings for B2 (Industrial), B8 (Storage & Distribution) and E(g)(iii) (Industrial Processes) helping promote industry at a site in Longcliffe, Derbyshire.

The application site is a roughly rectangular shaped 0.26 ha plot set over two levels located within the established industrial/commercial area of Longcliffe.

The redevelopment of the site was specifically developed for our client (SWR Property Holdings Ltd) to enable a multi-use site for both their existing businesses, Robinsons Longcliffe Ltd and Telford Group Ltd.

The Architectural Team in collaboration with the Planning Team at Planning and Design Practice Ltd prepared a sensitive scheme that would make efficient use of land in terms of maximising the number and size of unit’s deliverable on site, whilst minimising the potential impacts on the countryside.

Building A is a two-storey steel portal framed building with a gross internal floor area of approximately 311m2. The building would contain a vaulted commercial/industrial space with ancillary office accommodation.

Building B is a single storey steel portal framed building with a gross internal floor area of approximately 214 m2. building would contain 3 no. units for commercial/industrial/storage uses, each with a single toilet.

Building C is a steel portal framed building with a gross internal floor area of approximately 151 m2. The building would be used for commercial/industrial/storage uses with a single toilet. The exterior of the building would be clad/roofed with a corrugated metal sheeting material (anthracite grey).

Robinsons Longcliffe Ltd has undertaken steel fabrication for many of the heavy industrial and quarrying companies in the county and also nationwide. They have been operating in the area for almost 70 years and have gained an excellent reputation as a go-to company for industrial solutions.

It was successfully argued that the redevelopment of the site for new build B8 (Storage and distribution) and E(g)(iii) (Industrial Processes) units would be an appropriate form of employment development within the defined countryside as it would represent an opportunity to create much needed rural employment opportunities within the area. The development will support the local economy by providing a range of fit for purpose modern commercial units for local residents within the area which will in turn contribute towards the creation and retention of rural employment opportunities.

Planning & Design Practice Ltd is a multi-disciplinary team of Chartered Town Planners, Architects, Architectural Assistants and Heritage Specialists. Gaining planning permission is a key step in almost any development. We can take a project through from inception to completion, but we also offer the flexibility to engage a client’s own architects and provide a planning service, whilst our design team can also work with clients who have engaged other town planning professionals.

Planning & Design Practice Ltd are well versed in researching and understanding local Council’s policies to ensure the best possible case if put forward for our clients.

For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Andrew Stock, Associate Director Planning & Design Practice Ltd.

No long faces at Long Meadows Farm following double Appeal success!

5th December 202216th November 2022 by Gary Stringer

Discharge of Planning Conditions HIgh Peak

Planning & Design Practice Ltd successfully overturned two separate decisions (which ran concurrently with each other) to refuse planning permission for the erection of two agricultural buildings at the same remote farmstead, Long Meadows in Derbyshire Dales.

Appeal Statement of Cases were prepared by Planning & Design Practice’s Planning Team on behalf of the Appellant, against Derbyshire Dales District Councils decision to refuse the applications. The Council resolved to refuse planning permission for the proposed developments under delegated powers for the following reasons:

Appeal 1: The Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the new building, which is remote from the applicant’s main farm buildings and land holding is justified or necessary to sustain the needs of the agricultural enterprise, in addition to the existing building at this location. As such, the development is considered to constitute unwarranted and encroaching development that is intrinsically harmful to the character and appearance of this part of the countryside contrary to Policies S4, PD1 and PD5 of the Adopted Derbyshire Dales Local Plan (2017) and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Appeal 2: Based on the information provided, the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the new building, in addition to the existing building on site is necessary to sustain agriculture on the unit/holding and as such constitutes unwarranted and encroaching development that is intrinsically harmful to the character and appearance of this part of the countryside contrary Policies S4, PD1 and PD5 of the Adopted Derbyshire Dales Local Plan (2017) and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Council argued that the buildings were not necessary to sustain agriculture on the unit/holding when having regard to existing buildings on site. The Council further contended that no justification has been submitted to justify the siting of the building on this specific parcel of land, and therefore the building is not justified.

The applications and appeals were accompanied by a detailed assessment of our clients farming operations, as well as supporting letters from the National Farmers Union which reaffirmed the need for the additional agricultural buildings on site.

The Planning Inspector agreed with our assessment, stating:

“Whilst there is an existing storage building at the appeal site, it was clear from my observations on site that this building is near to its practical capacity for storage. The provision of a further storage building at the appeal site would ensure that more of the agricultural paraphernalia, such as machinery, feeds stuffs and fodder, can be stored inside rather than, as at the time of my visit, outside the existing building. This storage building would therefore also help support the agricultural business and its growth.”

The Inspector, when considering Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which supports rural development where it would enable the sustainable growth and expansion of businesses in rural areas including agricultural businesses, resolved to allow both appeals stating “it has been demonstrated that both proposals would be necessary to support and grow the existing agricultural business”.

If you have had planning permission refused or would like to discuss your options or chances at appeal, please get in contact for a free no obligation discussion.

Andrew Stock, Associate Director – Chartered town Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd.

Class Q success delivers double dwellings

28th November 202221st June 2022 by Gary Stringer

Two new homes will be created following a successful Class Q planning application. Andrew Stock in collaboration with Jonathan Jenkin and the Architectural Team at Planning & Design Practice are pleased to announce that planning permission has been secured for the change of use and associated building operations of two agricultural buildings known as ‘The Green Barn’ and ‘The Black Barn’ to form two houses in Kniveton, Derbyshire.

The application site has a rather complex planning history, which Andrew Stock, who recently joined us as a Principal Planner, knows very well having been the Planning Officer who dealt with a number of applications at this site whilst previously working for Derbyshire Dales District Council.

The Green Barn is the smaller of the two existing agricultural buildings consisting of a single detached steel framed agricultural building. This building is enclosed on three and a half sides, with the half open side facing the other barn.

The building would be converted into a two bed roomed dwelling, comprising an open plan kitchen/living area, plant room, WC, utility/storage room and an open plan lobby/dining area.

Figure 2: Approved elevations of the Green Barn

The Black Barn is the larger of the two building as it is formed of a traditional stone and tile barn with an adjoining modern steel framed addition. The buildings are fully enclosed. The modern addition is finished in corrugated sheets above a concrete panel plinth.

The building would be converted into a three bed roomed dwelling, with the stone building converted into a kitchen and dining space with the remainder parts of the building providing living space and bedroom/ancillary space.

Figure 4: Approved elevations of the Black Barn

The total combined habitable floor space for of the development would be approximately 459m² and the total combined curtilages would extend to approximately 430m².

Class Q Barn Conversions are something Planning & Design Practice are well versed in, having helped lots of clients imagine and realise their dream homes. The permitted development right legislation is a notoriously complicated and complex issue with many Planning Authorities. Since the permitted development right legislation was introduced, there have been several notable appeal decisions which have altered and clarified how Class Q applications should be dealt with by an Authority.

More recently, the term “fallback” is used in when an existing consent confirms that the principle of development which can then be used as a lever to gaining full planning permission. For example, if prior approval had been obtained to carry out the conversion of an agricultural building to a residential dwelling via Class Q (agricultural to residential conversion), this then allows the existing fallback position (in this case the Class Q prior approval) to be applied to a full planning application for a similar scheme.

It is an area of planning which also attracts the interests of those people who wish to push the ex-tent of their properties in the green belt using householder permitted development rights. Particularly in those instances when local plan policies are restrictive on the amount of extension allowed.

We have vast experience of working on barn conversions both via full planning and/or prior approval (Class Q) application routes. For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Solar PV Farm within Green Belt to power up to 952 homes per year

Planning success promotes industry

No long faces at Long Meadows Farm following double Appeal success!

Class Q success delivers double dwellings

Offices

Services

Useful Links

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

GET IN TOUCH