With the urgent pressure for housing delivery, yet increasingly onerous planning application requirements and convoluted prior approval processes, we’re often now approached by clients wanting to find a swifter means of securing permission for residential development. Whether its simply to establish Class C3 principles on a small urban site or just to obtain certainty for … Read More
An issue that crops up on a regular basis for new development irrespective of size and scale and now with the added test for the Prior Approval conversion of existing office buildings, is ‘light’ – how much is there?; is there too much, enough or too little?; does the development block anyone else’s light?; does … Read More
We’ve recently dealt with the acoustic impacts of development on a variety of different applications in Bristol, including air source heat pumps on a residential site, kitchen extracts for takeaways and noise from music and events spaces. It’s reminded us of how frequently we’re now confronting the issue of noise with development, and how fundamental … Read More
‘Context’ is a design-related concept that we usually associate with heritage development. But it shouldn’t just be limited to schemes for listed buildings, non-designated heritage assets and development in Conservation Areas. ‘Context’ is just as important, relevant and integral to creating great design anywhere. A good understanding of ‘Context’ enables the creation of an honest … Read More
We’re back in harness after our summer recess, and looking forward to whatever projects unfold for us over the next few months. Whilst we’ve seen a Brexit-related hold across much of the construction industry over the past year, we’re really hoping that some form of a resolution from the Government (lord knows which way) over … Read More
In our last post, we shared an update on the successful outcome of an appeal to the Valuation Office Agency over Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that we were running. Whilst still reveling in that decision, the same client asked us what he should do next – when and who to pay and how to document … Read More
Well, we’re back at our desks after that glorious Easter break; hope you all got out and enjoyed the fabulous sunshine and the blessed radio-silence from Brexit for a few days. Our bank holiday weekend was made all the sweeter by the late receipt of a successful decision from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) over … Read More
Hooray you’ve secured your planning permission; it’s in the bag, and the celebrations done and dusted. You’re building out the approved scheme but now, in the immortal words of the late, great David Bowie, you want to make some “Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes”. Whether big, small, complex or straightforward, you’ll need to formalise these because your development can … Read More
It’s become increasingly clear in recent years that local communities are becoming more engaged in the planning process, particularly where they feel passionate about individual sites or the impact of development in their areas. This doesn’t just mean old-school NIMBYism, but more a growing desire to have some influence or control over how ‘their’ areas … Read More
You might not think much about the section of an application form that deals with Ownership Certificates (which you are legally required to complete, by the way), but it’s important that you complete this correctly to ensure you’ve ‘served’ the right notice and informed the right people. You don’t need to own a site to … Read More