Newsletter - March 2010 New Housing Scheme

Approval for Sensitive New Housing in Village Conservation Area

PDP were delighted to obtain planning consent earlier this month for the redevelopment of a large site in the village of Bolehill, near Wirsksworth, with a sensitive scheme for 7 new houses.

The site is currently occupied by an empty timber-framed building which was the Women’s Institute hall until two years ago, a brick house and a garden. PDP put together the scheme on behalf of 2 local builders.

Detailed designs were prepared by PDP, based on an assessment of character of the Conservation Area. The proposed layout was designed to respond to the steep and varied topography of the site, respect the established built form of the village, and complement the existing spaces surrounding the site. Each of the seven houses were carefully designed to individually and collectively reflect the characteristics of existing buildings in the village.

Prior to and during the application process careful negotiations were held with Planning and Conservation Officers, the Derbyshire Dales Conservation Advisory Forum, English Heritage, and the Highway Authority, amongst others.

Despite 21 letters of objection being received by the Council in response to the proposals, the Derbyshire Dales Central Area Planning Committee resolved to approve the application at their meeting on 2nd March.

Newsletter - March 2010 Residential Barn Consent

Consent Secured for Residential Barn Conversion Scheme

PDP were delighted to obtain planning consent this month for the conversion of a range of traditional farm buildings at Park Farm, Little Eaton, to residential accommodation.

The U-shaped range of 18th and 19th Century buildings enjoy a beautiful rural setting, in Green Belt north of the village.

A sensitive scheme for the conversion of the buildings to a four bedroom home was submitted to Erewash Borough Council following initial negotiations. The proposal also included the re-use of a further building as a garage and home office, and the removal of several modern sheds to enhance the appearance of the site.

The application was accompanied by a structural survey, an ecological survey and an estate agents report examining the viability of commercial re-use.

The application was subsequently approved by Council Officers under delegated powers.

We look forward to seeing buildings restored and brought back to their former glory.

The Homebuilding and Renovating Show 2010

The Homebuilding and Renovating Show 2010 was a resounding success. Given this was Planning Design Practice’s first year exhibiting at the event, it was reassuring to learn that show organisers reported increased attendance from last year and previous years. Planning Design Practice were able to help and advise numerous self builders and homeowners of the potential planning pitfalls surrounding their various schemes, with many enquiries turning into new work.

As well as exhibitions from the key players within the built environment sector, the show delivered a series of master classes and seminars on various planning and environmental issues. Online notes from these master classes and seminars can be found on the Homebuilding and Renovating Show’s website via the following link: http://national.homebuildingshow.co.uk/News.apx.aspx

Planning Design Practice are looking forward to exhibiting at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show 2011, although you needn’t wait until then to approach us with your planning and design related enquiries!

Newsletter - February 2010

Consent for herdsman’s dwelling in rural Staffordshire

PDP recently obtained outline planning consent for the construction of a new herdsman’s dwelling on a 190 acre farm in East Staffordshire.

New dwellings in the open countryside are very strictly controlled by planning policy, however an allowance is occasionally made where there is an essential requirement for a new dwelling to support an established agricultural enterprise.

The farm already contained a dwelling, occupied by the applicant and his wife, however the applicants son was having to commute 16 miles daily in order to fulfil his role as chief herdsman. The application argued that there was a functional requirement for a chief herdsman to be on site 24 hours a day, and that it was unreasonable to expect the applicant, who also worked full time on the farm, to vacate his home in order to provide the required accommodation.

An agricultural appraisal was submitted with the application, to demonstrate the functional need, an assessment of alternative sites, to demonstrate that the site chosen was the most suitable on the holding, and a design and access statement which included case law relevant to the scenario.
The outline approval secures the scale and siting of the new dwelling. Indicative plans which were submitted as part of the application showed a 150 sqm, 3 bedroom detached dwelling with a private garden and detached garage / storage building.

Newsletter - February 2010

PDP wins approval for a new shop, office tea rooms and commercial kitchen on a caravan park in near Buxton

Cloverfields Caravan Park lies to the south west of Buxton, close to Harpur Hill. PDP obtained planning permission in 2003 for 25 pitches and a toilet block. In the last few years we have obtained further planning permissions to extend the operation and the site now has 45 caravan pitches, a camping field for up to 50 pitches, amenity areas and a toilet/washroom block.

The site is operated to a high standard and has an excellent reputation for customer service and with its growth has come a need for new facilities to meet the needs of caravanners, campers and the wider area.

Following discussions with the client it was agreed that the shop, office, tea rooms, toilets and kitchen could all be placed under one roof in a single amenities block. The tea room would also double up as a meeting space for the many group and societies which use the site. The kitchen is designed as a commercial kitchen which will service both the tea rooms but will also provide a range of pre-prepared meals for caravanners and campers which will be sold in the shop and distributed to local retail outlets. The office will replace the owners own home which until now has served the needs of the site.

The building was designed by Jonathan Jenkin from PDP as a timber clad building with veranda providing a meeting space by the entrance to the shop and office, and in keeping with the other approved buildings on the caravan site. The design provides full disabled access to all spaces; the tea rooms benefit from open views across the Derbyshire hills and have level access to a large grassed area at the side of the building which can be used for sitting and for meals in summer. The kitchen has its own separate entrance and vehicular access drive for deliveries and visitors. Attention was also paid to security, and shutters where incorporated into the design for all windows and doors.

The design was agreed in principle by the Area Planning Officer as part of a pre-planning consultation. The site is popular with local people, the applicants are well liked and the proposal did not attract any objections. The scheme was approved under delegated powers and work is expected to commence later in the year.
The amenities building is an example of a development which met and exceeded the clients brief because, through our involvement and discussion, the opportunities to add value became more and more apparent. There are so many linkages and this made the project exciting to work on. The design followed on from the functional needs of the client which as produced a building that is aesthetically pleasing, practical, and cost effective.

Newsletter - February 2010

Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC in Birmingham on the 18th – 21st March 2010




Planning Design Practice are exhibiting at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC in Birmingham on the 18th – 21st March 2010.

The event is the UK’s biggest self-build and renovation event and is crammed full of all the advice, ideas, inspiration and innovations you need to create the home of your dreams - all under one roof.

Planning Design Practice have 250 free tickets to the event to give away to new and existing clients. Should you wish to attend, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet over 450 of the UK’s leading self-build and renovation companies and view the latest products, services and trends for building, renovating, extending or improving your home. Plus with more independent advice and educational content than ever before you are sure to pick up new ideas. No matter what stage you are at, no matter how many projects you have done before there is something for everyone. From budget to built it’s all covered at this event!

January 2010

PDP - Running 10k for Charity 11/04/10

The team at Planning Design Practice Ltd ran the Derby 10k race last year and had a great deal of fun training and competing in the event, however, this year we felt it would be good to have fun and make some money for a worthy cause at the same time. We've decided to race in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust, a charity that takes back lives from leukaemia. All we need now is your help and support; so if you feel like making a donation, just follow the link below.

http://www.justgiving.com/planningdesignpractice