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.