Derbyshire Dales Archives - Planning Design Ltd

Free-standing solar panels power up Derbyshire Dales home

29th August 202323rd August 2023 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice is pleased to announce that planning permission has recently been secured for the erection of a ground-mounted solar panels (photovoltaic array – part retrospective) at a home in the Derbyshire Dales countryside.

The development includes 40 PV panels (4 rows of 10), measuring 12.34m x 12.55m have already been installed on-site and a further 40 PV panels (4 rows of 10), measuring 12.34m x 12.55m are proposed to site alongside the existing array.

This will provide a significant contribution towards powering the house. The application as a whole will provide further environmental efficiency and reduced carbon emissions for the already sustainable house, which contains an efficient heating and cooling system.

National planning policy strongly favours small-scale renewable energy developments, such as adding panels to existing buildings. Section 14 ‘Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change’ of the NPPF sets out key considerations in respect of climate change, highlighting the government’s opinion that sustainable development should encompass social and economic issues as well as environmental. In particular, paragraph 158 recognises the valuable contribution of small-scale projects in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Within the Local Plan, policy PD7 states that new development should be designed to contribute to achieving national targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will support the generation of energy from renewable sources, provided that it does not have a significant adverse impact. Renewable energy generation development should consider their impacts on the environment, heritage, landscape, noise and visual impacts and that these can be avoided or mitigated through careful consideration of their location, scale, design and other measures.

The site is deemed suitable for the development as the siting of the panels is in close proximity to the existing array. The highest point of the panels would remain at a relatively modest 1m above ground level, so the proposal will not result in any significant landscape impacts. Furthermore, the solar PV array would not be visible from long-range views.

It was successfully argued that the development provides renewable energy generation to contribute towards reducing the dwelling’s overall CO2 emissions, therefore, providing a valuable contribution to the mitigation of climate change impacts and representing a sustainable proposal.

The Planning Team at Planning and Design Practice, 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 including solar panels, for all stakeholders to ensure the best possible case is put forward.

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

Megan Askham, Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Rural employment boost for Derbyshire Dales!

22nd November 202216th November 2022 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice, Rural Employment, Derbyshire Dales, Planning Permission, Planning Consultants Derby, Planning Consultants Sheffield, Architects Derby, Architects Sheffield

Planning & Design Practice Ltd is pleased to announce that planning permission has been secured for erection of two B8 (Storage and distribution) and E(g)(iii) (Industrial Processes) buildings in Derbyshire Dales. The buildings would be subdivided into nine individual units, and will provide a significant boost to rural employment opportunities.

In line with our clients brief the Architectural Team in collaboration with the Planning Team at Planning and Design Practice 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 and the setting of the a nearby Conservation Area.

Planning & Design Practice Ltd, Architects Derby, Architects Sheffield, Planning Consultants Derby, Planning Consultants Sheffield, Derbyshire Dales — ***Figure 1:*** *Proposed layout plan*

The smaller of the two buildings (Building G) will consist of 2 no. units measuring approximately 18m x 12.5m (222 sqm per unit).

***Figure 2:*** *Elevations of Building G*

The larger of the two building (Building H) will consist of 7 no. units measuring approximately 9m x 18m (166 sqm per unit).

***Figure 3:*** *Elevations of Building H*

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 Charactered 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 on 01332 347371 or enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk.

Andrew Stock, Principal Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd.

Planning Success: Boost for rural tourism within Derbyshire Dales

28th November 202222nd March 2022 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice is pleased to announce that planning permission has recently been secured for the conversion of a traditional barn range to form two holiday lets (application ref: 21/01506/FUL) within the open countryside at Woodhay Farm, Marston Montgomery, Derbyshire – providing a boost for rural tourism.

Woodhay Farm is in the process of diversification. We had obtained prior approval (application ref: 18/00291/PDC) to change the use of the central modern agricultural barn into a business unit under Class R, Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). This consent has now been implemented and includes a training, demonstration and conference area to support our client’s business, Beresfords Flooring Ltd which is a precast flooring and air bag fall protection company, offering a nationwide service.

**Figure 1:** Approved plans for the Class R Business Centre

Our client also obtained prior approval under Class Q, Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) for the conversion of an agricultural building to a dwelling in the western part of the site (application ref: 18/00184/PDA). This conversion project is also now complete.

**Figure 2:** Photograph of the Class Q Barn Conversion

More recently Planning & Design Practice were instructed to prepare, submit and manage a full planning application for the conversion of the remaining traditional red brick barns at Woodhay Farm to form two holiday lets and the retention of secondary access track to approved barn conversion.

The National Planning Policy Framework indicates that planning policies should support sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses in rural areas, communities and visitors. This can include supporting the provision and expansion of tourist facilities in appropriate locations. We worked closely with the Local Planning Authority to secure planning permission under delegated authority by Officers at Derbyshire Dales District Council.

**Figure 3:** Existing traditional red brick barn to be converted

We have vast experience of working on rural projects for homeowners, landowners and farmers in rural areas including rural housing development, barn conversions (both via a planning application and Class Q), farm diversification schemes and tourist accommodation. We can provide you with expert advice on issues to be taken into account prior to submission of your application through to receiving the decision. For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Andrew Stock, Principal Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd.

New road and roundabout signals start of Ashbourne regeneration scheme

29th November 20229th November 2020 by Gary Stringer

As planning consultants and agents we have been working with the developers FW Harrison since 2011 to facilitate the largest single development site in the Derbyshire Dales. Work on this multi-million pound scheme will unlock land for employment and housing development, helping to drive the regeneration of Ashbourne.

Having first achieved outline planning permission in 2015 we obtained detailed consent for the link road and this led to a technical start being made on the road in 2019. Since then the county council submitted revised proposals for the roundabout and modifications to the link road and the developers submitted a fresh outline planning permission for the whole site which was agreed earlier this year.

The Airfield site will release up to 20ha of new industrial and commercial development. This will provide a major boost to the economy at a time when the economic performance of the Derbyshire Dales is being suppressed by Covid 19 lockdown restrictions. It should help to lower future unemployment rates in the Ashbourne area as it will allow the expansion of existing businesses located on the Airfield industrial estate, it will facilitate the creation of new businesses and attract new companies to the area.

The new link road will provide a second access onto Blenheim Road which will lower congestion on the Derby Road. It will provide a new high quality entrance to the town; the new road will be landscaped and will contain wide footpaths and a cycleway. A new bus service will be routed along the new road and the road and the commercial and industrial development will be drained to a large balancing pond which will also serve as an area for wildlife. The new development will reduce the potential for flooding from the Airfield and the new drainage features and landscaping will protect existing housing on the edge of the airfield from increased noise and disturbance.

There is planning permission for 367 houses and in Phase II of the development a further area of housing and community facilities is proposed as part of the Adopted Local Plan adding up to 1200 new homes. This is in line with sustainable development principles and will provide homes close to work, schools and neighbourhood shopping and community facilities. With good public transport and a network of footpaths and cycle ways, the extension of Ashbourne will create a balanced sustainable community. New areas of open space will be provided with play areas and areas for outdoor sports and recreation. There will be a choice in the modes of transport and the development will not rely on the private car. The Airfield presents a major opportunity for the District to accommodate new development sustainably, with housing for the whole community, from apartments and bungalows for the elderly to large family homes. There will be mixed tenure with the housing to rent as well as homes to buy. There will be affordable housing, some of which may be developed by the Council’s housing arm.

The opening up of the airfield site through the construction of the new roundabout and the link road is very exciting and is an important milestone in realising the vision for the site. This is a shared vision of the County and District authorities and by the developers and their consultants. All sides have worked hard to get this project off the ground and in these uncertain times the start of this key project is to be warmly welcomed.

Jonathan Jenkin, Managing Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Main Image: Jacobs Engineering

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

Unsure of your site’s potential? Contact us on 01332 347371 for a no obligation consultation, we are able to provide our professional opinion on the planning potential of your property from the outset.

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30th November 202221st September 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice Ltd recently submitted a planning application for the demolition of steel frame buildings and the construction of a new dwelling at Sheephills, Blackwall, Kirk Ireton. The application was submitted under Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which allows for new houses in the countryside which are considered to be of exceptional quality.

In our 20 plus years of preparing and submitting proposals in the Dales, we have never before as a practice prepared a Paragraph 79 proposal, despite being asked to do so by numerous potential clients. In each of these previous cases we have advised that the site in question is not sufficiently special, and refrained from pursuing a proposal.

We proposed a Paragraph 79 house at Sheephills because we genuinely believed that this particular site, and the opportunity it offers for enhancement, are truly exceptional.

Sheephills occupies a wonderful position on the wooded valley slopes above Biggin by Hulland which is quintessential of the southern Derbyshire Dales. Historically, Sheephills was a farmstead including farmhouse and outbuildings, owned by the Blackwall estate. Today it comprises of a group of ugly rusting sheds, ripe for enhancement. Uniquely, the land has been owned and farmed by the same family -our clients the Blackwall family- since at least 1415.

We prepared our proposals thoughtfully and methodically over a 3-year period. Our first step was to carry out a thorough context analysis. This is included in the application documents and should be read for the proposal to be fully understood. As well as assessing the site and its immediate surroundings the analysis also sought to understand the prevailing characteristics of a traditional Derbyshire Dales vernacular house, in order that lessons could be learned and then interpreted in the new design.

We prepared an initial draft design and held a site visit and workshop meeting with independent design review panel OPUN and Derbyshire Dales officers, in February 2018. Feedback was received and the design developed further. After preparing a second revision of the design we submitted the proposals again to OPUN. The design review panel provided further feedback in March 2020 in the form of a series of questions. Our answers to these questions are submitted as part of this application and should be read for context. After making further improvements to the design, we submitted this application.

The overriding theme of the proposal is a reinterpretation of a rural Derbyshire Dales vernacular house in the 21st century -not blindly following the aesthetics of traditional architecture but learning the lessons of the past and seeking to reapply them to meet the challenges of today. In this respect we hope that the design will act as an exemplar, hopefully serving to raise the standards of design more generally across the Derbyshire Dales.

Building on my own initial context analysis work, the design was prepared primarily by Lindsay Cruddas, a RIBA registered specialist conservation architect with considerable experience working in the Dales, and developed further by Fernando Collado Lopez, a registered architect with experience of working in the UK, Spain and North America.

Looking for your dream home? Our team of experienced professionals work with home owners on a daily basis to provide the technical knowledge, design ideals & relevant expertise to help guide you through what can be a daunting process. For more information, and a free half an hour consultation to discuss your project, please contact us.

Jon Millhouse, Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Free-standing solar panels power up Derbyshire Dales home

Rural employment boost for Derbyshire Dales!

Planning Success: Boost for rural tourism within Derbyshire Dales

New road and roundabout signals start of Ashbourne regeneration scheme

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