Derby's Property & Business Investment Show

Planning Design Practice exhibited at this year’s Derby Property & Business Investment Show which was held on the 11th May 2010 at Pride Park Stadium, Derby.

The show attracted the cream of Derby’s built environment sector and proved to be a huge success for everyone involved. Although many of the exhibitors talked of tough times, there was a real sense of optimism in the air that better times lay ahead. Over 200 people gathered at the show’s seminars to hear speakers from Cushman and Wakefield and the House Building Federation, as well as from sponsors Marketing Derby, Derby Cityscape and Rigby & Co.

Planning Design Practice are looking forward to exhibiting at the larger and more prestigious East Midlands Property and Business Investment Show in November 2010. We hope to see you there!

Extension to barn conversion approved

Planning Design Practice have secured planning permission for an extension to a converted barn at a site near Rotherham.

Initially, the Local Planning Authority were unhappy with the principle of an extension to the converted barn because they felt that it would result in the over-domestification of the building. However, Planning Design Practice were able to locate Ordnance Survey images of the original barn from the late 1800’s depicting a long linear single-storey extension. Planning Design Practice also put forward photographic evidence of markings on the wall of the original barn to demonstrate the existence of a former pitched roof extension.

Given this weight of evidence, the Local Planning Authority eventually accepted proposals for a substantial single-storey extension to the building. The extension was designed to appear as rural in character and appearance as possible, so as not to impact upon the rural street scene.

Construction of 3 dwellings - land adjacent to 140 Stenson Road, Derby

The site lies on Stenson Road on the south west side of Derby about two miles from the city centre, 140 is a large semidetached Victorian Villa. The property benefits from a large side garden which used to contain a tennis court. The next property along the street is 146 Stenson Road.

When the Street was first developed and numbered it was taken that this ‘plot’ would be used for 142 and 144 Stenson Road. The development proposal now before Derby City Council is for three dwellings, two on the road frontage with a dormer bungalow behind. The outline application shows two large detached houses on the frontage, detailed design of all three dwellings is reserved for later consideration.

The key issues relating to this development are:

1. Trees
2. Access

Two large Copper Beech trees are located on the road frontage. These are important to the street scene and must be retained. Gaining access while retaining these trees and providing the necessary visibility splays and road widths without harming the trees have proved to be very difficult. Various options were considered but in the end widening the existing access was seen as the only way to achieve the access improvements and protect the trees.

Agreement has now been reached with highways and with the Council’s tree officer and a decision from the Council is expected within days.

This is currently a brownfield site as it is classed as garden land. Proposed changes to planning legislation proposed by the Coalition will make garden land ‘green’ land with a presumption against development. This raises an interesting question in relation to the development of urban sites. Locations such as this were originally envisaged as being developed. The history of this site is unusual, and the application addresses the anomaly of the past. This site should be development; its development lowers pressure on Greenfield sites on the edge of the city and provides homes in a location well served by facilities and amenities. Councils have always had the power to protect existing low density developments from infilling using local plan policies. This power could easily be used more widely without a change in the status of garden land.

See PDP at The East Midlands Property and Business Show on 11th May 2010

(Click to View Larger Images)

Join PDP in the Pedigree and Toyota Suites at Pride Park Stadium on

Tuesday 11th May 2010.

Entrance to Exhibition and Sponsors Seminar is free of charge.

Tickets for the exclusive VIP Network Lunch tickets are £17.50 + vat and available direct from accounts@showbizgroup.co.uk

Conversion of The Vaults, Wirksworth into Residential and Commercial Uses

The Vaults is a well known pub and hotel in the centre of the town. One of six remaining pubs in the town centre it closed about 18 months ago after a slow decline. The pub during its last review was rated as being poor for its food, its ambiance and its service. Once the home of a nationally famous wine merchant the building built in 1800 and listed was left vacant while new owners were sought.

We were approached by the new owner back in the autumn to look at bringing the building back into use. At the same time we were interested in enhancing the building and its setting. Historic photographs showed the building in the 1880s, with gardens and railings and whilst the immediate environment was altered and much of the garden lost in the 1970s when the District Council built a new road and car park nevertheless the opportunity is there and the client is prepared to make the changes.

We had identified the need for smaller flats in Wirksworth for single people and those on moderate incomes. Working closely with the Council’s conservation officer and the planners we devised a scheme for six flats and two commercial units on the ground floor. Having been a pub the ground floor could be converted into shops, a restaurant of professional offices without planning consent .We widened the number of uses to include general offices and heath uses. Following pre-application discussions with County highways we submitted the application. The application garnered wide support and was approved at the end of April 2010.

The vaults is a great example of what can be achieved, the buildings historic character will be protected and enhanced, the setting of the building will be improved, the building will provide new moderately priced homes and the business units will provide employment and enhance the vitality and viability of the town.

Work is expected to start immediately and the first show flat is expected to be ready for viewing at the Wirksworth festival in September.

Permission Obtained For New End of Terrace House in Mayfield, Ashbourne

PDP were delighted to recently secure full planning consent for the construction of a new end of terrace dwelling in the popular village of Mayfield, near Ashbourne.

PDP were asked by a local builder who had purchased the neighbouring property about the development potential of its large side garden.

After holding initial discussions with Planning and Highway Officers about the basic concept, PDP prepared and submitted detailed plans for a new three bedroom, end of terrace property, along with a supporting statement justifying why new development should be allowed in the desired location. The application was subsequently approved under delegated powers by East Staffordshire Borough Council Planning Officers.

To ensure an excellent quality living environment, the new property has been designed to have a triple aspect, with windows looking out across the south-facing front garden, the rear garden and the open fields to the east. Front and rear gardens will be provided for the both the existing and new properties, and a covered walkway will provide pedestrian access between the two houses. Both properties will benefit from off street parking. The existing boundary hedge around the side garden of the existing house will be lowered and retained, to help protect and enhance the quality of the street scene.

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.