What we've done

Small infill plots arise in many villages and towns where land uses have changed or buildings are disused, or have collapsed.

In this case a former tennis court, garden and disused paddock came forward at the same time on adjoining landholdings.  

After appointing an architect to the design  team we worked with the two landowners to meet their individual aspirations and to deal with particular issues, such as highways, arising from the two schemes.  

The successful outcome was eight new build family homes. 

As part of the journey towards diversifying  energy generation and securing resilience in supply, a seismic shift in production is required both domestically and commercially. 

Advice has been provided to householders to generate domestic supply through ground -  and building-mounted solar arrays. 

We have also advised on large scale commercial solar and wind generation, and battery storage.   

Following closure of the family business, we were approached to consider redevelopment options for this site in a mixed-use area.   

Working with the architect and developer, a scheme was prepared for this awkward-shaped site, and to address potential amenity issues from adjacent commercial activity.  

Preapplication engagement with planning officers and the Town Council ensured  a high level of support, and a successful outcome with nine new family homes.

Changes to agricultural practices and standards require continuous investment so that farmsteads and buildings can be upgraded and improved, or replaced.  This can be for a variety of reasons.  For example, to accommodate larger modern machinery, to satisfy health and safety work practices and for the welfare of livestock. 

On behalf of the landowner and farm tenant, full planning permission was achieved for the expansion and consolidation of activity on to the existing Home Farm holding.  

In turn, this released obsolete and isolated land and buildings elsewhere on the holding for residential development, so as to fund the investment required for Home Farm.

Major changes are afoot in the education sector, to ensure that there is a choice of provision and high quality facilities.  

Over the medium term, planning consultancy and advisory services and have been provided to the School Trust and Management for the expansion and reconfiguration of the campus which is within a Conservation Area, with Listed buildings, a Green Belt designation and protected playing fields. 

Planning permissions were secured for the extension of the campus to incorporate bespoke post-16 accommodation on-site, along with a new-build Early Years provision.

Acting for a local developer and housebuilder, redevelopment of this edge of village site located in the West Yorkshire Green Belt was problematic, given there is a general presumption against new development.  

An initial exercise was to establish the amount of development that would be allowed on this underutilised site.  

Some of the site has already been developed as a set of special circumstances were demonstrated resulted in construction of four  cottages constructed of local stone.

Working with officers at the City Council and local politicians, the residual parts of the site are being progressed for much needed local homes. 

Numerous parts of the countryside are valued and protected for their landscape and natural beauty.  In such areas, it is important that the economy remains prosperous so that rural communities can flourish and grow.

In this case, within a National Landscape (AoNB), a full planning application was submitted for market and affordable housing, along with a community car park and pick-up and drop-off for the local school.

Money from the approved scheme was used  to renovate Listed buildings and Monuments.

A business park owned by a client is fully occupied.  

On behalf of the client we are promoting adjacent land to accommodate two stages of expansion over the coming years. The scheme will achieve high levels of sustainability.  

A submitted masterplan 

proposes a series of buildings which reflect the existing complex of former agricultural buildings to provide modern serviced accommodation in a landscaped setting, using a palette of modern materials. 

Leisure and tourism are important sectors contributing to the economy.

In this example, on behalf of an investment fund, we explored the potential redevelopment of a public house and restaurant for a more intensive tourism use.

Risks associated with planning designations, adjacent uses and highway/access issues were identified, resulting in the proposals not being progressed.

However, the site is now familiar as the subject of a TV documentary series recording the on-going journey to restore the public house as an asset for the community.

Sometimes, the use and development of land and buildings evolves over time. 

Advice and action has been taken to regularise the circumstances where new uses and other changes have been established, through the occupation and use of land.

In the example above, we assisted the property owner through a Certicificate of Lawful Development (CLEUD) to confirm the legal establishment of a separate residential use in some former agricultural outbuildings. 

Not all schemes come to fruition. 

Often, we are approached by clients seeking to improve or adapt property to meet their changing needs.  Sometimes what is wanted and what may be allowed are not the same.    

In working with the client, we seek to ensure that their proposals are achievable and comply with necessary regulations  and standards.  

A number of our clients own and manage extensive and varied property portfolios. 

We are retained to provide advice for these clients in order to protect their interests.  For example, where neighbours propose development schemes or changes of use which may affect the client's property directly, or indirectly, or in certain circumstances (mistakenly) includes the client's property.  

Where necessary, representations are submitted seeking changes to such schemes.