3 x approvals, 3 x regions, 3 x strategies:- 50+ new homes

Sometimes planning is a lot like waiting for a bus, a long and tedious wait for something positive to happen, and then everything comes through at once!

In recent weeks we have received 3 x decisions which, whilst all being considerably varied in their nature, strategy, and location, have all achieved the primary goal of creating or sustaining homes for people to live in.

The first has been on the boil for a while but represents the redevelopment of a commercial site within an inset village in the Surrey green belt to create a mixed-use development including a retail unit and 5 new homes. The proposed scheme turns around a dilapidated and outdated music studios into a modern, purpose-built, sustainable development of flats, mews houses and a new commercial unit.

The second utilises PDR to create 44 residential dwellings out of an office building situated in a prime central location within Ilford, Essex. A mix of studio, one and two bed apartments provide for the most effective and beneficial use of outdated floor space, and the position of the site within a stone’s through of the Elizabeth line will provide the future occupants with a quick commute into the heart of London.

One would think that the third development would have been an easy 'slam-dunk' for us as it already existed, but planning is never that easy! Our client bought an amalgamated pair of Edwardian villas in King’s Lynn that were historically but (ahem, without PP) converted into 6 x C3 flats. To make matters more interesting, some of the flats shared a bathroom... Self-contained? Well, we put together a comprehensive application having regard to established case law that they were all lawfully C3 self-contained dwellings in their own right, and the Council agreed. The result being a Certificate of Lawfulness for 6 x residential dwellings approved under s.191 of the Act.

Overall, this has resulted in 55 new homes approved through 3 x very different planning routes. Neither route is better than the other, but this is where our planning expertise comes into play, in terms of deciding which strategy is best for each situation, and seeing it through with maximum application and effect, to ensure that in each case the result is one of approval. The first 2 x developments are already under construction, and the last has finally been made lawful.

Should you have a prospective site or one that you are currently working on, and are wondering which way to turn, please feel free to drop us a line.

We look forward to hearing from you.