November 2009 Newsletter

Townscape Improvements and the Partial Redevelopment of the Spread Eagle Car Park – Willington Road/Portland Road/Main Street Etwall for Judy Taverns



A Derby planning consultancy has successfully achieved permission for housing developments in two villages, despite local opposition.

The Planning and Design Practice, based in Vernon Gate, which specialises in housing and rural development matters, won the go-ahead for schemes in Etwall and Tansley.

The scheme in Etwall involved the car park of The Spread Eagle pub in the centre of the village, which has played an important part of the area’s social life for more than 200 years.

Situated in the village conservation area, the pub was once surrounded by other buildings which have been demolished, leaving it sitting in sea of tarmacadam.

Working on behalf of new owners Judy Taverns, Jonathan Jenkin, the managing director of The Planning and Design Practice, came up with a scheme to build two pairs of semi-detached homes on the rear of the car park off Portland Street, with their own parking.

The scheme, which was approved by South Derbyshire District Council planning committee, despite 10 objections, also involved re-locating the beer garden to the front of the pub so that it can also be used as a meeting area.

Six of the remaining 14 parking spaces which front Willington Road will also be available for people using nearby shops. New walling and paving will define the edge of the car park and the road.

“This will make a big difference to the centre of the village, improving its appearance,” said Jonathan. “As well as providing new housing, it will prevent haphazard parking which is a potential danger to children from John Port School and other pedestrians.”

In the other scheme, the company represented Peak District Rural Housing Association with plans to build eight low cost homes for rent to local people on a greenfield site at West Yard at the end of Thatcher’s Croft. The site is just outside the village boundary, but surrounded by housing.

Landowner and builder James Neville had drawn up the scheme, for which The Planning and Design Practice obtained planning permission form Derbyshire Dales District Council planning committee.

There was strong opposition to the scheme, which was prompted initially by a survey which identified a need for new homes to retain young people in the village, but objectors failed to identify an alternative site.

November 2009 Newsletter

PDP in the Media

Some of the more larger-scale projects undertaken by PDP are featured within thelocal media, and this month was no exception. The Derby Evening Telegraph ran articles relating to a mixed use scheme submitted by PDP and approved by Derby City Council on a site at City Road,

Furthermore, the Derby Evening Telegraph also ran stories relating to a scheme in the Derbyshire Dales where PDP secured planning permission for 8 affordable dwellings at the West Yard site in Tansley.

Finally, PDP were also featured in the media for a scheme that was approved by South Derbyshire District Council for the urban redevelopment of the Spread Eagle Public House in the centre of the village of Etwall. The scheme, put together and submitted by PDP, was praised at planning committee by a number of South Derbyshire councillors.

The above-mentioned articles can be viewed below. Alternatively, the full articles can be viewed through the following links:


City Road

http://www.midlandsbusinessnews.co.uk/2009-10/prominent-

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Work-way-landmark-new-look/article-1412198-detail/article.html


Tansley & Etwall

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Green-light-given-build-village-homes/article-1518408-detail/article.html





Work under way to give landmark its new look
Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 07:30

A DISUSED building on the edge of the city centre is getting a six-figure makeover.
After a lengthy planning process, a former exhaust and tyre depot on the corner of City Road and Mansfield Road is being revamped to create three new business premises.
Construction work is now being carried out at the building, which has been boarded up for two years.

Next door to a newsagent and general store and close to offices, houses and new apartments, the building is being converted into a restaurant or café premises, a shop and a hot food takeaway.
The proposed restaurant and café at the back of the site will measure 1,000 sq ft and have seating outside with views over the river.

Fronting the development, which will be highly visible from Mansfield Road, will be a shop unit measuring more than 1,000 sq ft.

The entire site area, including parking spaces, measures 8,200 sq ft.

Built in 1961, the building replaced the former City Mill silk mill, which burned down in 1955.
City Hall Developments, based in Spondon, owns the freehold and is behind the project, developed in conjunction with the Planning and Design Practice in Vernon Gate and Derby commercial property agent Salloway.

Salloway says the middle takeaway unit is under offer and will be occupied in early spring, by which time construction work will be complete.

City Hall Developments originally wanted to use the land for a residential scheme but that proved unworkable as the site is so near the river.

The Planning and Design Practice came up with an idea for a seven-storey office block but this had to be withdrawn in the face of an objection from the Environment Agency, again because of constraints to new developments close to the river.

New uses were discussed with the city council, which granted planning permission for the change from industrial use to retail and food.

Jonathan Jenkin, director of the Planning and Design Practice, said: "The site has been an eyesore and it detracts from the appearance and character of Mansfield Road, particularly with the new developments such as apartments there. "This redevelopment will provide services for local people."

Marc Ballard, senior surveyor at Salloway, said: "It has been a long and challenging process to bring this forward but it should do very well. "Chester Green doesn't have a lot of amenities. There are a lot of offices and homes nearby and it is close to Landau Forte College," he said.



Green light given to build village homes
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 07:30

A PLANNING consultancy has successfully achieved permission for housing developments in two Derbyshire villages.

The Planning and Design Practice, based in Vernon Gate, which specialises in housing and rural development matters, has won the go-ahead for schemes in Etwall and Tansley.

The Etwall scheme involved the car park of The Spread Eagle pub in the centre of the village, which has played an important part of the area's social life for more than 200 years.

Situated in the village conservation area, the pub was once surrounded by other buildings which have been demolished, leaving it surrounded by Tarmac.

Working on behalf of Judy Taverns, the pub's new owner, Jonathan Jenkin, managing director of The Planning and Design Practice, developed a scheme to build two pairs of semi-detached homes on the rear of the car park off Portland Street, with their own parking.

The project, which was approved by South Derbyshire District Council planning committee, also involved re-locating the beer garden to the front of the pub so that it can also be used as a meeting area.

There were 10 objections, mainly at the loss of car parking, but six of the remaining 14 parking spaces which front Willington Road will also be available for people using nearby shops.
New walling and paving will define the edge of the car park and the road.

"This will make a big difference to the centre of the village, improving its appearance, said Mr Jenkins. "As well as providing new housing, it will prevent haphazard parking which is a potential danger to children from John Port School and other pedestrians. "It also increases the value of the site and allows for further improvements to the pub."

In the second scheme, the company represented Peak District Rural Housing Association, with plans to build eight low-cost homes for rent to local people on a greenfield site at West Yard at the end of Thatcher's Croft.

The site is just outside the village boundary, but surrounded by housing.
The Planning and Design Practice obtained planning permission from Derbyshire Dales District Council planning committee.

There was strong opposition to the proposed scheme, initially prompted by a survey that identified a need for new homes to retain young people in the village.

Objectors failed to identify an alternative site.

November 2009 Newsletter

Permission obtained for second extension to popular Derbyshire Dales Camping and Caravanning Park



On behalf of Ashbourne Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Bradley, PDP recently secured planning consent for the use of a third field at the Park for camping and caravanning. In 2007 PDP obtained consent on behalf of the previous owners of the Park for a second touring field. The second field is now well established and was fully occupied during the recent summer season, hence the need for further accommodation.

The application was accompanied by a landscape impact assessment, which demonstrated that the location chosen for the third phase is extremely well screened by existing landscape features, when viewed from surrounding public vantage points.

The proposal included the laying of an artificial reinforcement mesh on top of part of the existing field, to provide a solid base for caravan pitches whilst maintaining the green and pleasant appearance of the land. The mesh is designed to allow grass to continue to grow through a series of small holes, and is itself green in colour.
PDP are delighted to have assisted the sensitive growth the of the Park for the second time, and look forward to seeing the new field brought into use in time for the forthcoming summer season.

October 2009 Newsletter

THE EAST MIDLANDS PROPERTY SHOW




There is a great shaped seminar for delegates this year, hosted by John Cadwallader (Derby Cityscape), Chris Brown (Bank of England) will finger on the economic pulse and no doubt report on the impact of quantitative easing. Ken Braddock (HSBC) will look at current funding for business investment in particular the opportunity to Franchise your ideas for a business model and our special 10th anniversary guest is Big Brother/ 60min makeover celebrity and property entrepreneur Craig Phillips.

October 2009 Newsletter

8 Affordable Homes for Tansley Derbyshire


Working as agents for the Peak District Rural Housing Association, we obtained planning permission for six houses and two flats on a greenfield exception site on the edge of Tansley in October. The permission was hard won. The proposals had been drawn up following a housing needs survey undertaken by the Parish Council in July 2008. This survey identified a need for up to 28 affordable dwellings, to meet the needs of primarily young people who wanted to remain in the village. Using a standard discount value, the immediate need was identified for 9 homes.

The Head of Development Control visited the village back in February and reviewed all the possible alternative sites before agreeing with the Parish Council that the West Yard site was the best. In this case the landowner is also the builder, making the scheme viable as very little money is paid to the landowner for a 100% affordable housing scheme.

The application attracted substantial level of objection from an active minority in the village. It was a classic NIMBY action where concern was expressed that it was an affordable only scheme that would attract the ‘wrong sort’ of people to the village notwithstanding that the houses would only be let to people from the village.

In the face of this opposition the Parish Council changed its position and raised an objection to the development. The objectors raised wildlife and flooding issues requiring the provision of extra reports, at significant cost to he applicant. The application went to committee in September and was deferred to allow the objectors to identify an alternative site. At the beginning of October the planning committee meeting was abandoned due to a very unfortunate incident when an objector to another planning application had a major heart attack in the meeting.

On the 22nd October 7 weeks after the original meeting and with the objectors having failed to identify an alternative site, permission was granted in the teeth of vocal and at times unseemly opposition. Strong support was given to the proposals by planning officers and spoken local support from the village at the meeting helped sway Councillors.

It was a night that I felt particularly proud that we had achieved a good result and we would be pleased to take forward other affordable housing schemes with Registered Social Landlords.

October 2009 Newsletter

Approval for conversion of historic building in Eckington Conservation Area

Working alongside estate agents Shuldham Calverley on behalf of owners the Sitwell Estate, PDP secured Planning and Listed Building Consent in October for the residential conversion of an historic stone outbuilding in the grounds of the Grade II Listed Southgate Old House, in Eckington, North Derbyshire.

Southgate Old House is an attractive, mid seventeenth century estate owned property situated on Southgate, the road linking the Sitwell family’s ancestral home Renishaw Hall and Eckington town centre.

The outbuilding, which is believed to date from the same period as the house, has been redundant for a number of years, and recent attempts to secure reuse through conversion to either office or residential had been hampered by limitations in visibility sightlines at the site’s entrance.

A satisfactory scheme was finally agreed with the Local Authority in October, which involved sensitive alterations to the site frontage to improve both driver and pedestrian visibility. PDP are delighted that a viable use has finally been secured for this humble but historically important building, and look forward to seeing the building restored in due course.

October 2009 Newsletter

RTPI Success


Andrew Gore, who has been employed at the Planning Design Practice as a Planning Consultant since December 2007, has recently obtained full accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The accreditation means that Andrew is now a fully Chartered Town Planner, which is excellent news for Andrew, PDP and all PDP customers alike.

September 2009 Newsletter

The East Midlands Property Show



There is a great shaped seminar for delegates this year, hosted by John Cadwallader (Derby Cityscape), Chris Brown (Bank of England) will finger on the economic pulse and no doubt report on the impact of quantitative easing. Ken Braddock (HSBC) will look at current funding for business investment in particular the opportunity to Franchise your ideas for a business model and our special 10th anniversary guest is Big Brother/ 60min makeover celebrity and property entrepreneur Craig Phillips.

September 2009 Newsletter

CHANGE OF USE OF FORMER EXHAUST AND TYRE DEPOT TO SHOP, TAKEAWAY AND RESTAURANT – 1 CITY ROAD DERBY

The applicants came to us first to obtain planning permission for office development on the site. The site lies next to the River Derwent close to the centre of Derby City. It is a very attractive site for high class offices with excellent views across the river. Offices are acceptable in planning policy terms and having undertaken pre-planning application discussions with various organisations on a set of attractive proposals (including the Environment Agency) the application was submitted. It then had to be withdrawn in the face of an objection from the Environment Agency who published a Strategic Management Plan for the river Derwent after our planning application had been made. This Agency Plan introduced new constraints to development which prevented the offices (and development on several city centre sites) from being approved.

In order to get around the constraints and gain a useful planning permission the applicants needed to look at alternatives which would retain the existing building and be viable in the current recession.

With the help of local estate agents and valuers new uses were considered and these were discussed with the Council. The application included the renovation of the existing building, together with new access and parking arrangements. The existing building is unattractive in the townscape and the application provided an opportunity to improve its appearance and character. The application also provided an opportunity to provide local services that the area lacks.

The building sits on the opposite side of the street to offices, houses and apartments next to a newsagents and general store. In this location the building can accommodate a shop, takeaway and restaurant without adversely affecting the amenities of the area. The shop, takeaway and restaurant will meet local needs rather than the needs of the wider city. The proposals were supported by the Council and planning permission was granted. The development is set to go ahead with one of the units’ pre-let and strong interest in the others.

September 2009 Newsletter

PDP Wins Planning Appeal for 5 Dwellings in Chaddesden, Derby

Planning Design Practice has won a recent appeal for the demolition of a number of garages on a site on Martin Drive, Chaddesden, and the erection of 5 dwellings with associated garages in their place.

The appeal inspector agreed with PDP’s argument that the proposed development would create a sense of place through its differing design and would comply with the principles of good design. The inspector also agreed that the development of the brownfield site to provide affordable housing in a sustainable location would accord with the objectives of Planning Policy Statement 3.

August 2009 Newsletter

Graham Penny Auctions

Owing to the success of the 9th July auction, PDP have arranged to attend the following Graham Penny auctions in 2009:

3rd September - Pride Park, Derby

15th October - Pride Park, Derby

3rd December - Pride Park, Derby

If you're attending any of the above-mentioned auctions, please don't hesitate to approach our exhibition stand for free planning advice in relation to any planning matters.

August 2009 Newsletter

Question and Answer



Question

I have seen a property at auction, a lovely stone barn in the National Park with superb views and a good sized garden with planning permission for conversion into a holiday let. I want to buy it as a second home; what are the implications and, if I need to get planning permission for full use as a dwelling what are my chances?

Mr S. Kimble, Chesterfield


Answer

In most National Parks there are strong planning policies to prevent new dwellings being built or converted in the countryside away from towns and villages. But the park authorities have to balance this requirement with the need to maintain traditional buildings in the countryside in order to protect the character of the National Park. Allowing the conversion of traditional buildings into holiday lets is seen as a way of doing this while stimulating the local economy. In this instance, the use of the property is limited by condition and by a Section 106 Agreement which prevents the property from being lived in for more than 42 days a year by the same person or family. If you buy the property as your first house you will quickly breach the condition and the legal agreement. The condition also requires you to keep a register of all lettings. If you are happy to let the property, visiting in between lets, using it as a second home, it may work for you. Capital growth in the property will be limited by the condition and the Agreement, and this should be reflected in the purchase price.

There is very little chance that the Park Authority will allow unrestricted residential occupation, so the barn should not be considered as a future home. If the property was occupied as a dwelling and the Park Authority took enforcement action, the occupants could be evicted. The legal agreement provides a quick method for the Authority to take action if it wants to. The legal agreement is not subject to any time limits, so occupation of the property as a permanent dwelling will always be liable to enforcement action unless the agreement is lifted.


Jonathan Jenkin BA(Hons) BTP MRTPI

August 2009 Newsletter

Sun Room Extension Approved in Conservation Area

Planning Consent was recently obtained for the construction of a sun room extension in a sensitive Conservation Area location. Although the property had been subject to previous extensions, PDP successfully argued that the proposal would not materially harm the character or appearance of either the existing dwelling or the Conservation Area.

August 2009 Newsletter

Approval for Green Belt extension on basis of overall enhancement

PDP recently secured planning consent to extend a property in the Nottingham – Derby Green Belt despite the fact that the property was subject to a previous refusal for a much smaller extension. A new design was proposed that sought to add symmetry and balance to the existing property, thus enhancing its appearance. Following negotiations with planning officers the local authority agreed that the overall impact of the proposed extension was acceptable.

We are branching out!

Due to growing work demands the Planning Design Practice is expanding to a second office within the East Midlands region.

The company is targeting the areas South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire, and an office located within the Chesterfield area is anticipated in the near future.

Please feel free to contact the Derby office if you have any planning or design related queries within these areas.

Regular updates will be included in our monthly newsletters.

June 2009 Newsletter

Sustainable Building Codes & Lifetime Homes – Development in Allestree, Derby

We have been commissioned to prepare proposals for the redevelopment of a large corner plot within a 1960s residential area in Derby. The brief is to increase values by developing housing which is attractive to the market but offers future residents significant advantages over current market offerings.

The area is popular with older residents, the area is quiet but with good access to a range of services and facilities. Using the new sustainable building codes and Lifetime Homes Standards, we have devised a set of proposals for 5 two/three bedroom dormer properties targeted at the over 55s with allocated parking, private and shared open space.

The design ethos is modern, with high quality finishes. Each property is designed with a ground floor bedroom and disabled bathroom or shower room and a large open plan kitchen/living space. On the first floor are a further two bedrooms and a bathroom. The buildings will be highly insulated, using block cavity wall and external insulated cladding. The windows will be timber but triple glazed and low maintenance; water use will be kept low by re-using clean roof water for gardens, toilets and washing machines. All appliances & lighting will be low energy and there is the option to incorporate either solar water heating or PV. Each property will have a gas or wood burning stove to provide a focal point and the buildings will incorporate full gas central heating. Energy use will be low, at about a third of current average levels.

The buildings will meet Sustainable Building Code Level 4 and Lifetime homes standard. The lifetime Homes Standard will ensure flexible accommodation suitable for occupiers as they get older. Parking spaces will for instance be wide enough to allow wheelchair users to access vehicles. The site has only a gentle slope, and with an open permeable layout, the development will encourage social interaction.

The aim is to provide a blueprint for future housing developments, housing which is adaptable in a world of diminishing natural resources

June 2009 Newsletter

Consent obtained for replacement shop front in conservation area



PDP recently secured planning consent for the replacement of an incongruous 1980s shop front with one of a more traditional design, at a fine art gallery in Derby’s City Centre Conservation Area.

The works will be carried out as part of a wider scheme to improve historic buildings in the Conservation Area, for which grant funding has been made available.

The design for the new shop front was informed by an assessment of the history of the building and surrounding area, and agreed informally with grant administrators and city council officers prior to the submission of the application.

In the absence of clear photographic evidence of former shop fronts at the premises, a simple but conventional design was favoured, incorporating the materials and component features of traditional shop fronts but taking its design cues predominantly from the existing building.

The proposed shop front, which will be constructed of painted timber, will incorporate a narrow fascia with individually mounted lettering, pilasters complete with pilaster bases, console brackets and cornicing, a brick stall riser topped with a timber cill, a central window display with central timber mullion, two recessed, traditional style doors with fan lights above, and an awning.

We look forward to seeing the installation of the shop front and with it the further enhancement of the Conservation Area.

This is a free event held on Friday 19th June. You are encouraged to attend and discuss your planning issues within a relaxed and informal environment.

Please feel free to contact the office on 01332 347371.

May 2009 Newsletter

Alteration and extension of Garage to provide Tai-chi Studio and Artists Studio



The property is located within the green belt on the edge of Derby. Affording superb views across open countryside the owners wanted to adapt an existing unattractive garage and create a contemplative space as a haven from the pressures of working life.

The 1930s garage is a sound construction but clad in timber strips painted black. Separate from the house the garage was not being used to house cars and the property already had extensive car parking and turning arrangements. The building has a set of roller doors at the front and a small window at the back, through which, with the removal of a hedge (not a boundary hedge) are excellent views of the garden and the open countryside beyond. The clients also wanted a building that could be re-used as a garage at some point in the future

The proposals strip the building back to its original shell. A side extension provides a toilet and wash up together with a garden store. The front door opening is reduced in height and a new internal mezzanine with stairs is added to provide a painting studio. At the rear, the existing window opening is extended into the apex of the building to provide more light and a more spiritual feel. Stained glass is added to the upper panes. With the removal of the hedge and the installation of opening doors, a connection between the garden and the building is restored. . The walls will be internally lined, with a new insulated floor, and insulated roof panels. Two large roof lights on the north slope provide light for the painting studio. The building is re-rendered with a white smooth render. Windows and door are recessed, the windows being dark grey powder coated steel, and the new folding doors are in timber, simple vertical plank panels.

The building becomes a warm attractive modern space and with a duel use it will serve both the current occupiers and those who use the building in the future.

May 2009 Newsletter

Planning Permission Granted for Conversion of Old Forge Building to Full Residential Use

The Planning and Design Practice recently secured planning permission for the conversion of an old forge building on Hall Lane, within the centre of Ashbourne, to a single bed residential unit. PDP argued that the provision of associated amenity space and parking would not be required because of the unit’s proximity to the centre of Ashbourne Town Centre.

PDP also argued that the proposed residential use would secure the long-term protection of a building that makes an essential contribution to the character of the Ashbourne Conservation Area.

Planning permission was granted for the proposed conversion in May of this year, and it is anticipated that works will start soon.

April 2009 Newsletter

New Design for sensitive site wins approval

PDP recently secured outline planning consent for the construction of a new dwelling on a sensitive site in a Derby suburb that had previously been the subject of two refused applications and two dismissed appeals for alternative proposals.

A brand new design was prepared which sought to take account of the issues raised by the previous Inspectors’ reports. The revised scheme involved the new dwelling being sited further away from nearby semi-mature trees than was the case with the previous schemes, principal habitable rooms being orientated south and west to ensure a good living environment for occupants, and a limitation on easterly facing first floor windows to guarantee a satisfactory relationship with the neighbouring property.

The application was considered by the Derby City Council Planning Board at their March meeting. Members voted in favour of the planning officer’s recommendation of approval.

April 2009 Newsletter

PART CHANGE OF USE OF BARN TO DWELLING, EXTENSION AND ALTERATION TO FARMHOUSE, EXTENSION TO COTTAGE AND CHANGE OF USE OF BARNS TO FORM A TWO BEDROOM HOLIDAY LET – UPPER MOOR FARM PARWICH



The 45 acre farm lies on high ground in the heart of the Peak District National Park about two miles north of Parwich. The farmstead consists of a farmhouse and attached traditional barn, an attached cottage and a range of single storey traditional farm buildings. In addition to the east of this group, are more modern farm buildings with three portal frame buildings and various outbuildings. There were also steel framed lean-tos and other structures attached to the traditional buildings.

The three bedroom farmhouse had (back in 1991), been extended into the adjoining barn without planning permission. The cottage while separate from the farmhouse was extended in 1991 as part of an approved set of proposals allowing the parents of the previous occupants to live next door.

Following discussions with the Park Authority, we made two lawful use applications to regularize the partial use of the barn as residential accommodation and to address the issue of the separateness of the cottage as an independent planning unit.

The applicants were on a very tight timetable to get the buildings renovated and their initial requirements were to just convert the remaining area of barn and to extend the farmhouse. As matters progressed the owners looked to extend the cottage as well as the farmhouse and to convert the remaining traditional buildings into a two bedroom holiday let. This then entailed the submission of three planning applications which followed on from the two lawful development certificates.

The summer of 2008 was spent waiting for the lawful development certificates to be issued. The Park is not measured on the speed of delivery of Lawful Development Certificates and the work is handled by the Council’s legal department. It took over 4 months to get the ‘8’ week decisions.

By this time builders were on site undertaking works which did not require planning permission but as the summer turned to autumn, the builder was anxious to proceed and the planning ended up playing catch-up with the building work. This caused strains with the Planning Authority.

By early in 2009, all three planning applications were approved under delegated powers. The designs sought to protect the character of the existing buildings and issues such as the impact on wildlife together with the necessary structural reports were addressed or undertaken early.

The designs also involved removing buildings and structures erected as part of a farming operation which were unattractive in the landscape. For example the removal of lean-to steel shed at the side of the attached barn to the farmhouse which allowed for extensive views to the west over the Peak Park. This approach was also supported by the Peak Park.

Works are now nearing completion and the overall impact of the farm on the landscape is much improved. The size and quality of the accommodation available within the farmhouse has been doubled and the cottage has been extended by over a third. In line with planning policy, the conversion of the outbuildings into a holiday let did not involve any extensions however before the application was submitted, the opportunity was taken to repair the outbuildings, so that they were suitable for conversion.

March 2009 Newsletter

PDP WINS APPROVAL FOR LARGE EXTENSION TO WASTE COMPOSTING FACILITY IN ASHBOURNE



Vital Earth Ltd is the largest and most advanced in-vessel composting site in the UK. The raw materials for the compost products are green & kitchen waste from kerbside collections and household waste and recycling centres (HWRC’s) in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Together with a sister site near Market Drayton Vital Earth can process over 70,000 tonnes of material otherwise destined for landfill sites.
Despite two recent fires at the site, which made for a highly controversial planning application, PDP was able to win consent for the erection of a large extension to the site’s Waste Reception Building. The development will allow Vital Earth Ltd to streamline on-site activities and processes, thus reducing the chances of future incidents. Derbyshire County Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the scheme on the 9th March 2009 and planning consent was granted.

March 2009 Newsletter

CONSTRUCTION OF FOURTEEN DWELLINGS FOR SPONDON ENGINEERING, NOTTINGHAM ROAD, SPONDON, DERBY

The 0.3ha site lies on the eastern edge of Derby in a mixed commercial and residential area.

Spondon Engineering is an expanding specialist engineering company relocating to larger premises. The rectangular site contains a former Victorian house, a large 1960s engineering building and a tall mobile telephone mast. The site is not allocated in the local plan for any specific use and pre-application discussions indicated that the site was suitable for residential use.

The application was prepared and submitted for eight houses and six flats. There were no objections from neighbours. The application was heading for an approval when problems arose because highway standards changed. A new head for the department also insisted on a strict interpretation of the new rules.

Detailed measurements were taken, sightlines were re-calculated and a new location for the access together with a new layout for the site, were developed. After six months of negotiation, proposals were finally supported and planning consent granted. The new rules prevented development of an adjoining site which three years before had been granted permission.
Changes in rules and changes in personnel cannot always be anticipated. Policy changes can also cause problems. The case reminded me that fate still can play its part. It was a good result but I was thankful that the geometry of the site to the road allowed the visibility standards to be met (just!).

2009 - New Year
New Successes

February 2009 Newsletter



Government Office confirm outline approval of new industrial building in Green Belt

The Government Office for the West Midlands have confirmed the outline approval of a new 2,400 sqm workshop / office building for Langer (UK) Ltd on a Green Belt site close to Cheadle, Staffordshire.

The application was prepared and submitted by the Planning & Design Practice on behalf of the owner of the site and Langer (UK) Ltd. Following approval by the Staffordshire Moorlands Planning Committee in November 2008, the item was deferred to the Government Office for the West Midlands for confirmation, in accordance with standard procedure for major Green Belt applications. Now that the Government Office has rubber stamped the outline approval, Langer (UK) will be able to progress to a reserved matters application.

As part of the application the Planning & Design Practice prepared detailed designs for a contemporary looking building that would integrate sensitively with its woodland setting. We also prepared a Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment, a Design and Access Statement and a Market Appraisal of available industrial floor space in the area. Short presentations were made at the Committee meeting by Jon Millhouse of PDP and Peter Taylor of Langer (UK). Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the approval.

2009 - New Year
New Successes

February 2009 Newsletter

New adult Care Home for Ashbourne

The Derbyshire Dales planning committee recently granted planning permission for a new care home at 31 The Green Road in Ashbourne having visited the site in the afternoon and having heard from Jonathan Jenkin speaking in support of the proposal later that evening.

The 10 bedroom care homes will be formed from the extension of a large detached house located in extensive landscaped grounds close to Ashbourne Town Centre. The home will provide a peaceful and safe environment for individuals suffering mental health difficulties.

There are no adult care home facilities in Ashbourne for this client group and working closely with the applicant we prepared a set of proposals which meet and exceed the requirements of the government’s 2003 Care Homes Standards.

70% of the existing building will be retained while a new extension will increase the capacity of the building to accommodate the new residents together with care staff and visiting therapists. The design of the extension reflects the character of the original building and care has been taken to protect existing trees on the site, all of which are covered by a tree preservation order.

This is the first major care home commission for the company. Work is expected to start in the spring and it is hoped that the building will be operating by the autumn.

2009 - New Year
New Successes

February 2009 Newsletter



Removal of Agricultural Tie and Erection of a Large Replacement Dwelling in Roston

Planning & Design Practice (PDP) recently secured full planning consent for the erection of a large replacement dwelling on a site in Roston, having first successfully obtained planning permission for the removal of an agricultural occupancy condition that restricted the existing property.

Back in June 2008, Derbyshire Dales planning committee unanimously voted in favour of PDP’s application to lift the occupancy condition. This was followed later that year with an application for the demolition of the existing property and the erection of a large, three-storey, traditionally designed dwelling with detached double garage. The application was approved in late 2008 under delegated powers by Derbyshire Dales District Council.

Andrew Gore of Planning & Design Practice said:
Successfully lifting the agricultural occupancy condition required a thorough study into the history of the site as well as a strong planning statement which demonstrated that a functional requirement for the agricultural tie no longer existed. The statement also questioned the circumstances that surrounded the initial imposing of the occupancy condition back in the 1960’s. Given the size of the existing plot, along with a strong awareness of local planning policy, we were then able to secure permission for a significantly larger dwelling that the existing building. The design of the dwelling reflects the late 19th Century rural character of the local built environment found in Roston.