Dale Road delight for a vacant property in Matlock

PDP_Vacant Property Matlock

Planning & Design Practice is pleased to announce that Full planning permission has recently been secured for the change of use, conversion and extension of a vacant property located in the heart of Matlock to provide 5 residential apartments and retention of the ground floor and front basement for commercial uses (E Use Class).

Figure 1: Photograph of the vacant property (fronting Dale Road)

The property is a three-storey 19th Century unlisted building located within the Matlock Bridge Conservation Area in the centre of Matlock. The property backs onto the River Derwent and command a prominent position within the town.

Vacant property collaboratively reimagined

A collaborative approach between our in-house Planners, Architects, and Heritage Specialist was required to produce a sensitive but functional scheme. The proposed conversion would provide 5 residential units including four studio apartments and one 2 bedroom apartment. The development would see 145.5 sqm of Class E floor space retained for commercial/retail uses. A three storey rear extension is proposed to house an internal staircase providing a separate access to the proposed residential units.

In terms of the principal elevation of the building fronting Dale Road, and the side return which is also visible from Dale Road, there are to be no changes or alterations. In this regard the existing historical character and appearance of the building, which we considered to be an integral part of the Dale Road street scene would be maintained.

Figure 2: Proposed side and rear elevations

In social terms the development would contribute towards meeting the District Council’s much-needed objectively assessed open market housing targets and in economic terms the benefits include premises retained for employment uses with a thriving Town Centre.

Figure 3: Proposed front elevations

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 understanding local Council’s policies to ensure the best possible case if put forward for our clients.

Own a vacant property or thinking of buying one? For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Andrew Stock, Associate Director – Chartered Town Planner at Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Planning permission to facilitate care for creatures great and small at Derbyshire veterinary practice

PDP_Veterinary

Planning & Design Practice have successfully gained planning approval for a rear extension and new front porch entrance to a friendly and well-known independent veterinary practice within Matlock, Derbyshire. The veterinary practice moved into the Grade II Listed building that was formerly a pub and hotel called the Boat House Hotel which sits within the Matlock Dale Conservation Area.

The veterinary practice opened to the public in June 2016 following substantial internal renovation. Subsequently, the rapidly expanding practice has seen the need of extra space, for the back of house functions, such as operating rooms and storage. A previous planning application for a large rear extension to the existing former pub house was submitted, but was unsuccessful, which prompted the veterinary to approach Planning & Design to help them gain approval for this much needed extension to facilitate the future growth of the business.

As the Boat House Hotel is a Listed building, it is important to preserve and respect the existing building. The previous, unsuccessful design was for a single-story rear extension that abutted right up to most of the rear elevation of the existing building, with a flat roof design and used up most of the courtyard footprint to the rear.

After pre-application discussions and liaison between the clients and the local authority, Planning & Design were able to get approval for a design which better responds to the existing listed building in terms of scale, form and design, whilst also providing the client with the extra space needed to grow the veterinary practice business. The approved design has mostly moved away from the existing rear elevation of the existing building by incorporating two glass links which lead from the existing property to the new proposed extension with a central courtyard between the two links. The new extension is of a pitched roof form and more of a scale which is subservient to the listed building. The new design incorporates a stone plinth base and a rendered finish along with the glass links, providing a scheme which better preserves the historic character of the existing building and its surroundings.

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.

If you are unsure of your site’s potential, we are also able to provide our professional opinion on the planning potential of your property at the outset.

We can support your development aspirations through the various stages of the planning process, including (but not limited to): feasibility studies, site promotion through the local plan, pre-applications, outline & full planning applications and appeals.

For more information, and a free half an hour consultation to discuss your project, please contact us.

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