Planning Consultants Sheffield Archives - Page 9 of 10

Ongoing restoration heats up

30th November 202219th October 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice Ltd were delighted to receive consent for underfloor heating as part of the ongoing restoration of the Grade II listed Highfield Farm, Derbyshire.

The farmhouse, built in the 17th century, was traditionally heated by a large fireplace in each room. The farm had been tenanted up until the early 21st century however had never been installed with modern central heating.

The insertion of radiators and associated heating system would involve significant intrusion into the historic fabric of the building, requiring holes to be cut into walls and floors to accommodate pipes. It was considered that underfloor heating presents a better method of heating historic buildings, being a low level of background heat, spread uniformly and maintaining a stable temperature for the building. Radiators, meanwhile, rely on convection, resulting in circulation of rising hot air and causing a draught.

The existing floors comprised non-original quarry tiles, from a variety of different manufacturers and likely reclaimed from another house. These were laid upon bare earth. Traditional buildings, of solid masonry construction and without a damp proof course, rely on vapour permeable materials to allow moisture to enter and exit the building. The insertion of a modern, impervious, concrete floor slab would force ground moisture into the walls, causing problems with damp. It was decided that a limecrete slab would instead be laid to maintain vapour permeability. Lime is also more environmentally friendly, being burnt at lower temperatures than Portland cement whilst absorbing CO2 during the setting process of carbonation.

The limecrete was combined with recycled foam glass, providing a vapour permeable layer of insulation to prevent heat loss.

The floor is to be completed with the insertion of new stone slabs, as would have likely existed originally in the 17th century farmhouse.

At Planning & Design Practice Ltd we recognise the importance of the built heritage in our towns, villages and rural areas. We have the in-house expertise to ensure that proposals are designed sympathetically to conserve and enhance historic buildings and sites.

We have worked on numerous schemes affecting the restoration of Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Director Jon Millhouse specialises in heritage planning and architectural team leader Lindsay Cruddas is a registered Specialist Conservation Architect.

For more information, or to discuss a specific project or property please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Main Image: George Henshaw, Planning & Design Practice Ltd.

Towering ambition for Sheffield city centre

30th November 202222nd September 2020 by Gary Stringer

Sheffield City Council continue to demonstrate ambition for Sheffield city centre, having granted planning permission for a mixed use development (application ref. number 18/00858/FUL) which involves the creation of student accommodation comprising 330 bed spaces, and the retention of existing retail space on the first two floors of a tower block located at 50 High Street.

The site is centrally located on the main High Street in the retail heart of the city. It is bounded to the North by the High Street, to the east by Arundel Gate, and to the west by Mulberry Street/Path. The building is joined to the south by Mulberry House. The location of the building at the junction between High Street and Arundel Gate is significant because it stands at the entrance to the City Centre Conservation Area, one of 38 within Sheffield.

This is a large building that was historically used as a department store until the last occupier (TJ Hughes) vacated the site in 2013. Presently, the building has 6 floors (excluding basement). The lower two levels are currently occupied by retail shops – British Heart Foundation, Poundland and Sports Direct. The upper four levels of the building and one small retail unit fronting Arundel Gate at the southern end of the building remain vacant.

It was established that structurally the building could accommodate an additional two storeys of accommodation and this was deemed appropriate by the planners. The proposal will retain the building’s retail offering at the lower and upper ground floor levels and the creation of 330 student bedrooms across the remaining 5 floors.

The proposals will bring the entire building back into use and refurbish its elevations, enhancing its use and appearance as well as improving activity / vibrancy in this part of the city – all of which will have a positive impact on the building, High Street and the wider City Centre.

The site is highly sustainable, especially for a student development. Sheffield Hallam University is very close to the site with campus buildings situated immediately opposite the site and the main City Centre Campus just 200m to the south. The University of Sheffield is slightly further away but still close and easily accessible by excellent public transport facilities (bus and tram) that are located immediately outside the building on High Street, Castle Square and Arundel Gate.

Overall, the proposed scheme will secure the future of existing vacant floors of an underused building in the City Centre, which is considered to be a good location for a student focused development; it is a highly sustainable location with very good transport and walking access to both of Sheffield’s Universities. It was therefore concluded that the benefits of regenerating the site and giving it new life will have a positive effect on the area.

Based at Park Hill, we have a close connection with Sheffield with numerous clients in the region. Please get in touch for advice on any planning issues or potential projects.

Harry Capstick, Graduate Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Conversion of garage to home in South Derbyshire secured on appeal

30th November 202213th July 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice have been successful in securing planning permission at appeal for the conversion of a garage to a dwelling in the village of Burnaston in south Derbyshire.

The client contacted us having had planning permission refused with very little contact from the council. We reviewed the scheme and amended the proposals in a way which we felt addressed some key weaknesses in the original submission. Unfortunately, the council still felt that the application was objectionable had concerns relating to the impact upon the character and appearance of the area, overlooking into a neighbouring property and highway safety. The overlooking issue was addressed by the relocation of a window and the inspector was content that there would be adequate space for future occupiers to manoeuvre and access the parking space using the shared private drive.

With regards the impact on the character and appearance of the area, the inspector felt that due to the scale of the garage building, which is located between the existing dwelling and the road, and because limited alterations are proposed, the new dwelling would still read as a subordinate building within the group of dwellings and the wider streetscene. The scheme would therefore not look out of place within the mixed streetscene and would maintain the character and appearance of the area.

Our client was naturally delighted with the news, particularly having had a challenging few months personally.

“We were delighted with the news, especially as we had prepared ourselves for disappointment. It was a rocky start to the process, during which we also experienced some other difficulties unrelated to the planning application, but which only added to our challenges. At every stage the team at PDP were approachable, and clear in the next steps and what could be achieved. Throughout the process PDP continued to strive to ensure that we received the best customer service and the whole team were professional and supportive in the management our expectations. This news has come at a perfect time to enhance our future plans. We would most certainly recommend PDP to others.”

This case was a prime example of a homeowner looking to make better use of their existing property. We are getting more and more enquiries along these lines, particularly since the start of the pandemic when circumstances and priorities have changed. The Inspector’s decision is perhaps recognition that the presumption should be in favour of allowing people to do this provided it would not lead to any significant harm in planning terms.

If you are looking to re-purpose any land or buildings or are simply keen to explore the options please get in touch.

Richard Pigott, Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Build Build Build

30th November 20228th July 2020 by Gary Stringer

“Build Build Build” announced 10 Downing Street recently, with a government press release on June 30 proclaiming:

PM Boris Johnson has announced the most radical reforms to our planning system since the Second World War, making it easier to build better homes where people want to live.

He did not. He trailed a proposed white paper later in the year together with some further modifications to the existing regulations around change of use of buildings in town centres, demolition and building of residential property, and building above property. These modifications are due to come into effect in September.

Greater flexibility around the change of use of commercial property form for example from a shop to a café or an office without planning permission. Currently you can change a shop to an office or a café in principle but you need prior approval. Automatic changes from a shop to a café/restaurant could create problems for upper floor residents and for environmental health.
Change of use of a wider range of commercial property to residential without planning permission. Currently you can change the use of shop (A1) Bank or professional Office (A2), a takeaway (A5) office (B1a) and Light Industrial Unit (B1c), agricultural buildings, amusement arcades, betting offices, casinos, launderettes and pay day loan shops to dwellings subject to prior approval. There are limitations but these are generally justified. It should be remembered that the Office to Residential (Class O) permitted development right has led to the creation of very poor housing with no payments towards community facilities. Over 80% of Class ‘O’ dwellings are below minimum space standards and have included habitable rooms with no natural light. The government have just amended the General Permitted Development Order to require all habitable rooms in buildings converted into dwellings under permitted development to have adequate natural light. What is adequate is not specified.
Builders will no longer need a ‘normal’ planning permission to demolish and re-build vacant and redundant commercial and residential buildings to dwellings. Some form of prior notification is proposed.
Property owners will have a right to build additional space above their properties subject to neighbour notification.

These proposed changes are not radical but care is needed. Class ’O’ office to residential conversions have been a step too far and have led to mainly poor people living in very substandard accommodation. Covid 19 and the lock down have exposed this poverty of aspiration and a lack of care towards the poor and the vulnerable. Minimum space standards should be applied in all permitted development residential conversions without exception and on developments of 10 dwellings or more, S106 payments towards community facilities should be mandatory. It is unfair that a conversion of an office block into 50 homes attracts no section 106 monies while a development of 50 new build flats does. It means that better quality development pays for poor quality development and this is unacceptable.

Jonathan Jenkin, Managing Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Lawful Development Certificate for residential dwelling

30th November 202217th June 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice recently gained planning permission for a Lawful Development Certificate to establish the use of a building to a residential dwellinghouse. The building had never received formal planning permission, despite being used as a dwellinghouse since before the 1947 Planning Act.

As the application was for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC), it was not a matter of considering the planning merits of the scheme, but it was a legal determination based on the facts to establish whether the stated activity was established and lawful by the passage of the relevant period of time and therefore beyond the scope of enforcement action. In the case of applications for existing use, if a local planning authority has no evidence itself, nor any from others, to contradict or otherwise make the applicant’s version of events less than probable, there is no good reason to refuse the application, provided the applicant’s evidence alone is sufficiently precise and unambiguous to justify the grant of a certificate on the balance of probability.

The application was supported by a variety of evidence submitted in the form of utility bills, Council Tax bills, and other documentation relating to the application site. In addition, evidence in the form of a signed written account provided by the applicant was submitted to support the application. As a result, we were able to provide corroborative evidence to demonstrate that the building has been used as an independent dwelling for more than 45 years, significantly more than the minimum 4 years required for a certificate of lawfulness of this nature.

Having reviewed the evidence, Officers at the Council were of the view that there was no evidence available that would contradict the applicant’s version of events as regards the building the subject of this application being occupied as a dwellinghouse for a time frame spanning the 4 year period prior to this submission.

Harry Capstick, Graduate Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Cool running – planning permission for Sheffield office ventilation system

5th December 202217th June 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice recently gained planning permission for the installation of a cooling and ventilation system, to be installed in the car park of Hallamshire Business Park, Sheffield. The application site is a vacant office building on the corner of Napier Street and Summerfield Street. It is envisaged that the unit will provide a more reliable and energy efficient system for the office building, which will reopen once Covid guidelines allow for the reopening of the building.

The proposed condenser units will serve the whole of the second floor as part of the wider scheme of refurbishment to provide an attractive, modern working environment.

The proposed plant will be sited within the car park of the office building and be used in connection with the use of the office. In close proximity to the site are flats and concerns were raised with regards to the amount of noise the proposed plant would emit. It was, therefore, considered necessary for a noise report to be submitted. In summary, the noise report noted this is an area with quite a high ambient noise level. When measuring the distance to the nearest properties and taking into account ambient noise levels, the noise report concluded the noise output would be around -6db below the night time background noise level.

Overall the proposed development was granted permission, and in doing so will support the refurbishment of an existing office complex to provide modern, attractive offices in a popular area of the city.

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

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.

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. Please contact us for more information at enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk or on 01332 347371.

Sheffield moves to next phase of Heart of the City II scheme

5th December 20222nd June 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning applications for the next phase of the Heart of the City II scheme, which include a cultural destination and a new low carbon office building, have been submitted by Sheffield City Council recently (May 2020). The announcement marks another milestone for Sheffield’s landmark regeneration project, as it continues to transform the city centre.

As we continue to face the daily challenges of the current pandemic it is encouraging to see work to transform Sheffield city centre is still in progress and that all will be ready to make way for life after the pandemic.

Block H, located between Wellington Street, Carver Street and Cambridge Street, sits at the centre of the Heart of the City II masterplan and includes some of the most interesting heritage buildings.

The strategy for the block is to create a new ‘cultural heart’ for the scheme, which will combine existing and new architecture to provide a destination which is uniquely Sheffield. The proposals have been designed by award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.

Proposals for Cambridge Street Collective – which will sit behind Henry’s Corner and Bethel Sunday School on Cambridge Street – include a large, industrial-style space where people will be able to meet to eat, drink and be entertained. The historic building fronts will be retained and adapted to bring them back into use, with a new structure added behind which will complement the older architecture.

Wrapping this space will be complementary shops, a bar and restaurant, and an upper level leisure space. The existing Bethel Chapel building will also be renovated, with plans for this to become a live entertainment venue.

Next to Cambridge Street Collective, a visually striking low-carbon office building is proposed for the vacant site in between Cambridge Street and Carver Street. The new premises will provide approximately 70,000 sq. ft of Grade A office space over seven floors, with shops, restaurants or cafés at the ground floor. The building’s dark coloured metal finish is inspired by Sheffield’s celebrated industrial past, allowing it to complement heritage assets across the Block H site.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council, said:

“I am delighted that we have been able to progress these plans over recent months and can now submit planning applications for the next phase of Heart of the City II.

“The submission of the planning applications follows over six weeks of public consultation, where local residents, businesses and interest groups participated and shared their thoughts. The comments and insights we received have helped us to further shape these proposals, and I would like to personally thank all who provided their views.

“There’s no doubt that these are unsettling times for all of us, including many city centre businesses. Whilst it is critical for us to help our businesses with immediate challenges, it is also vital that we continue to build a strong and resilient city centre that is fit for the future. The delivery of Heart of the City II is central to those efforts.”

Andrew Davison, Project Director at Queensberry, commented:

“The plans for Block H epitomise our ambition to create places with character and personality that will bring something entirely unique to Sheffield city centre. Cambridge Street Collective promises to become a destination that both locals and visitors will cherish and enjoy, and we are very excited about bringing this vision to life.”

Planning & Design Practice which has a close connection with Sheffield, welcomes this news. Having long maintained an office in the city and with numerous clients and projects in the region, we are based at The Workstation, Sheffield’s leading business centre for creative talent and innovation in the heart of the city’s thriving Cultural Industries Quarter. Our Sheffield office is led by Michael Bamford, a chartered town planning consultant.

Michael said:

‘It’s great to see progress on the next phase of Heart of the City II. The plans retain the city’s heritage, but re-purpose and re-invigorate an area which has historically declined. The proposals will complement the great work that has already been completed around Heart of the City I and II and which be transformative for the city centre.”

Please contact Michael if you require assistance with planning applications, appeals or local plan representations or require advice on lawful development certificates or development appraisals, at michael.bamford@planningdesign.co.uk

Main image: Artist impression of the bar terrace in Block H

Images – with thanks to Sheffield City Council

Heart of the City — Block H Cambridge Street

Planning secured for new industrial units

5th December 20226th May 2020 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice recently gained planning permission for the erection of three new industrial units at land to the rear of Brookfield Way, Brookfield Industrial Estate, located in Tansley.

Tansley has a number of employment generating premises operating within the village. The major employment site at Brookfield Industrial Estate is on the western edge of the village. The Industrial Estate consists of a collection of buildings put to a variety of industrial uses.

The application supported a local business of Indigo Furniture, who produce bespoke handcrafted furniture for sale at their showrooms in Matlock, Harrogate, Tunbridge Wells and via their e-commerce website. This application was made to facilitate the growth of the company, who were looking to expand their manufacturing facilities.

Outline planning permission was granted in 2011 for 3 industrial units on site with access agreed and all other matters reserved. The Reserved Matters was not submitted within the timescale (2014) and the permission lapsed.

Internally, the buildings have been designed to be open plan which will ensure the units are functional and flexible. The buildings also include a kitchen, toilets and an office area, which allows the employees to remain on site throughout the day.

The Council agreed that the proposal was acceptable when viewed within the context of the existing area (which is dominated by commercial uses), and its designation within the Local Plan indicating that the area has capacity to accommodate new development without detriment to its character and appearance.

If you are looking to develop land and buildings now is a good time. Pressure on the planning system has eased temporarily. Planning applications can be submitted and some planning officers have more time to focus on individual applications. Whilst we can offer un-accompanied site visits we cannot meet clients directly until the lock down is over. With many planning officers working from home, we have found that the processing of planning applications, is in some cases operating more efficiently and effectively.

We have a dedicated staff of architects and planners who can help you develop your ideas and we can deliver sound planning applications. If you have a question please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01332 347371.

Multinational company invests £150m in Sheffield development

5th December 20224th May 2020 by Gary Stringer

The multinational financial services company, Legal & General has announced that it is investing £150m into the West Bar Square development in Sheffield.

Legal & General, together with Sheffield City Council, and the developer Urbo (West Bar) Ltd – a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities – will deliver a ‘mixed-use’ project for the area.

The development will comprise 200,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space, 350 ‘Build to Rent’ homes, a multi-storey car park and landscaped public spaces.

The first phase will deliver much needed modern office space, currently lacking within Sheffield’s property market, which is expected to house up to 1,800 workers.

Nigel Wilson, CEO of Legal & General, said: “There has never been a more important time to invest in our regional cities.

“Legal & General is in a unique position to support the UK economic recovery by recycling hard earned savings and pensions into real assets which promote job creation – through construction to office occupation – and create landmark master plans which incorporate grade A office space, a variety of housing and high quality public space.

“This is not new territory for L&G. Our investment partnerships in cities such as Cardiff and Newcastle are already delivering at pace. Likewise our vision for West Bar Square is to deliver a much needed new quarter for the centre of Sheffield.

“During these unprecedented times, it is absolutely imperative that institutions continue to push forward with deals such as these, so we can position the UK for an accelerated recovery and lay the groundwork to support those most in need in society.”

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Urbo Regeneration said: “This is a massively significant investment for Sheffield, and is a vote of confidence in the future of the city as a whole, particularly during the current climate.

“The funding partnership we have agreed with Legal and General will guarantee delivery of large scale regeneration in this important part of the city, linking the rapidly expanding Kelham Island district to the city centre.”

The creation of West Bar Square will complement the neighbouring Riverside Business District which already has office occupiers including the Home Office, law firm Irwin Mitchell and the Crown and Family Courts.

Michael Bamford, Associate at Planning & Design Practice Ltd, who heads up our Sheffield office welcomed the announcement.

“It’s great to see investment in Westbar and it has come at a good time. Kelham is certainly a success story for Sheffield but in order to ensure that it continues to be an attractive place to live, it needs to be better connected to the City. The Westbar area currently acts as a divide between the City centre and Kelham Island. Delivering a mixed use scheme in this location will help to bridge that gap which will be a positive thing not just for Kelham but for Sheffield as whole.”

Image: 5plus Architects

New student development planned for Sheffield

5th December 20227th April 2020 by Gary Stringer

A new student development combining flats with commercial units beneath has been submitted to Sheffield City Council. The proposal is hoped to provide 220 student flats as well commercial space in an area of the City that is undergoing major regeneration and redevelopment at the moment.

Crosslane Group, supported by Urbana Town Planning and Cartwright Pickard, has submitted an application to Sheffield City Council for a development on Fitzwilliam Street.

The application seeks planning permission for the demolition of the existing industrial building on the site and construction of a new 13 storeys building to provide a mixture of flats and commercial space. At this stage, the proposed indicate a total of 225 student bedrooms, provided over 201 studios and 12 two-bed apartments complete with amenity areas and a rooftop terrace. Two commercial units are also proposed for the ground floor fronting onto Fitzwilliam Street and Bowland Street.

No car parking is proposed on site but secure cycle parking will be provided on the ground floor, an increasing feature of city centre development across the country. The attraction of city centre development is the access to services and facilities. Sheffield train station is within walking distance from the site and there is little need for occupants to have a car.

The scheme represents another key investment into the regeneration of the City centre and the Devonshire Quarter and should be seen as making a positive contribution to the city as whole.

Planning & Design has a close connection with Sheffield, having long maintained an office in the city and with numerous clients and projects in the region. Currently based at The Workstation, Sheffield’s leading business centre for creative talent and innovation in the heart of the city’s thriving Cultural Industries Quarter, our Sheffield office is led by Michael Bamford. A chartered town planning consultant, Michael started with Planning & Design in 2015 and carved out his early career with the group. Having left the company in early 2018 to work with a National Consultancy based in Sheffield, he returned to Planning & Design last summer and takes the lead on the operation of our Sheffield Office.

Ongoing restoration heats up

Towering ambition for Sheffield city centre

Conversion of garage to home in South Derbyshire secured on appeal

Build Build Build

Lawful Development Certificate for residential dwelling

Cool running – planning permission for Sheffield office ventilation system

Sheffield moves to next phase of Heart of the City II scheme

Multinational company invests £150m in Sheffield development

New student development planned for Sheffield

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