Johnson Matthey, the chemicals giant, require a £6m Innovations Centre at their Oxfordshire base in the Chilterns AONB.
DA working with Vail Williams Planning provided the pre-application landscape and ecological surveys and reports for the submission to SODC. These have now informed the architectural design brief for the new centre.
The new statement building will be expected to create a high quality visitor experience and target BREAAM outstanding status.
With the revised NPPF placing greater protection within AONB any proposed development must demonstrate ‘exceptional circumstances’ to win planning approval.
Battle Abbey School is an established boarding school requiring local indoor sport facilities and has an option to acquire a suitable south-west facing site on the edge of the existing town settlement.
The sports hall proposal by ATP architects with a curved amorphic green roof and parking area set into the terraced design has received favourable community support and a detailed application to Rother DC is anticipated before the new year. DA has undertaken the landscape impact assessment with supporting strategy.
DA is also working on other sensitive planning sites in southern UK.
Five years after the original application and subsequent negotiations with LB Richmond DA is pleased to note the final approval on appeal of an unusual 2 unit residential scheme. The design on redundant rear garage land includes basement living and garden space to address the key neighbourhood overlooking issues.
Green roofs, street tree planting and permeable paving are included to meet biodiversity and sustainability criteria. Granit Architects co-ordinated the submission and appeal for Petrow Estates with DA providing ecological and landscape planning advice.
DA provided supporting tree and landscape advice to CF Architects for this building conversion at Fennies, Wimbledon.
This mixed-use development includes a new day nursery with apartments above along with streetscape improvements. DA has completed a number of projects across the south-east for this client.
The revised NPPF reiterates the importance of maintaining the openness of the Green Belt with redundant building reuse encouraged.
This scheme includes the conversion of a former farm building to residential use utilising the same footprint, curtilage and improved access. The management of the open landscape context was a key element of the detailed planning approval. DA assisted Huntley Planning for a private client.
Charles Roberts Studio assisted with the presentation material to committee.
On behalf of Central Corporation Securities, DA has supported the application for 130 dwellings on land severed by a transport corridor at Theale. The positive reuse of fragmented agricultural land for limited development has been encouraged by the NPPF. The landscape strategy includes a significant ecological wetland zone linking with the nearby Pang Valley together with other connections to local green space and village amenities. DA was recently part of the same successful design team working with BM Architects to win approval for a 325 unit lakeside development for this client.
DA is also working on other masterplanning projects in southern UK.
A long-established equestrian facility is to be relocated and upgraded at the edge of a village Conservation Area. The existing arrangement includes uneconomic listed barn buildings that are to be converted for residential use enabling the provision of a modern purpose-built centre on a local site. The latter has been carefully designed to minimise landscape impact on the setting of the adjacent country park.
DA provided the detailed landscape planning report submissions for both sites including a suitable landscape strategy that addresses the key land management policy issues.
Alton School is embarking on a major development programme on a south facing heavily wooded site. This will include new teaching, boarding and sports facilities including an indoor tennis centre and 4G pitches. A central social hub will be created around the refurbished Manor House with improved parking all to be set within the managed wooded setting. DA are working with MVL architects on the new masterplan providing the key tree and landscape advice.
A detailed application is anticipated in Spring 2018 with significant construction planned for autumn 2019.
Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park, Conservation Areas and other constrained areas of the southern UK.
On the Hampshire/ Surrey border an application is being submitted for 9 houses on a well-screened, sensitive site near Grayshott. The clustered layout with significant green enclosure is designed to compliment the local settlement pattern. Special care has been taken with tree protection, ecological enhancement and visual impact considerations. DA assisted MCA architects with the formal submission to Waverley BC.
Locating viable employment sites has become an issue for many local authorities. Outside general market economics, DA frequently supports clients to resolve site-specific issues. These include finding sustainable locations that satisfy landscape planning criteria. Design constraints include building scale and siting, visual impact , SUDS drainage, highway and landscape engineering.
DA recently worked with KMN (Alton) Ltd on a proposed extension to an established industrial park where the Town Council is supportive of gateway development.
On a former gravel working near Theale, DA has been a key design team member creating a comprehensive development that enhances the natural assets. The BM architect’s masterplan focuses on the inner lake with a diverse 325 unit housing mix set within a reinforced landscape framework. On behalf of Central Corporation Securities a new lakeside walk will link communal open space including a wooded nature reserve, playspace, formal terraces and public viewing areas. Provision for the local anglers club will continue and footpath /cycle links will connect to the existing village and local amenities.
DA is also working on other masterplanning projects in southern UK.
The Metropolitan Green Belt is over 50 years old and the government is therefore reviewing its value in current planning policy. Positive reuse of redundant Green Belt sites is now actively encouraged by Planning Authorities. DA is actively working on a number of these sites including a former munitions factory where the residential proposal utilises the existing topography and landscape envelope. The layout also respects the sensitive local setting and heritage value. Working with WS Planning and Architecture a decision is anticipated on the detailed application on the 9 unit development in early 2017.
Achieving sustained planning success by making special cases in sensitive locations is a feature of the DA project portfolio. The illustration by OSP Architects depicts courtyard replacement development for a redundant agricultural site. The proposal at Stoneham Farm is located at the edge of the North Wessex Downs AONB and is abutted by TPO woodland. Working with Tim North Associates Planning, DA advised on tree protection and landscape strategy. A landscape and woodland management plan was provided together with a visual impact study taking account of the local public footpath network and the topographic sensitivity. Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park, Conservation Areas and other constrained areas in the southern UK.
Pulleyn Transport is an established global transport company operating from its Reading headquarters. An application for new warehousing, offices and parking with entrance improvements has been made to Wokingham BC co-ordinated by Woolf Bond Planning. The illustration by The Harris Partnership Architects shows how the realigned entrance will be enclosed by retained mature trees with skilful ground modelling around the proposed parking. DA provided the tree and landscape planning reports. Subject to full planning approval construction is programmed for completion 2018.
The former nurses’ teaching site was rendered surplus as part of the Broadmooor redevelopment programme. Mature trees were a key constraint on this sloping wooded site. DA provided supporting detailed tree protection with landscape proposals for the replacement housing scheme set in the grounds of listed parkland. The scheme for Pye Homes Group was completed in spring 2015.
Achieving sustained planning success by making special cases in sensitive locations is a feature of the DA project portfolio. The illustration depicts farmstead replacement development in the Surrey Hills AONB granted detailed approval Spring 2014. Working with WS Planning and Architecture, DA advised on landscape impact adjacent to a Listed Parkland setting providing a detailed strategy and visualisation with Earth Productions.
A landscape management plan was also provided to integrate the proposal. Completion is anticipated autumn 2015.
Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park (inset photo), Conservation Areas and other constrained areas of the southern UK.
With the government’s ‘right to buy’ initiative and the latest NPPF planning policy, the need for potential development land to be effectively promoted is essential to win planning support. DA is actively involved on a number of masterplanning sites with public meetings and exhibitions used to engage with the local community. The feedback on environmental issues then informs the most appropriate design.
Current outline planning projects extend from Essex to Gloucestershire including the 120 unit Farnham residential proposal with HR Architects illustrated. DA was part of the successful design team to gain approval for the 74ha site that included 64 new units at Oxlease Farm, near Romsey. This project includes the SSSI former Barge Canal and securing environmental enhancement in the Test Valley.
DA provided supporting tree and landscape reports for the courtyard housing scheme set in the grounds of a Listed Building now converted to mixed use. Space for adequate tree protection was a key constraint for the scheme completed by Aquinna Homes in Spring 2014.
DA provided landscape and ecological advice for an unusual residential development at Teddington. On redundant backland space two units are proposed. In order to comply with the strict planning constraints on overlooking and flood risk the design adopts basement living and garden space. Existing brick retaining walls frame the new sunken water features that incorporate grey water recycling. Green roofs and street level tree/ climber planting are also included to enrich biodiversity in this urban environment. Granit architects have co-ordinated the detailed application to LB Richmond on behalf of Petrow Estates.
Godstowe School lies in a wooded south facing setting above High Wycombe. The development programme includes a new sports hall, staff parking and outdoor sports facilites in a terraced design. DA advised on tree protection and landscape planning issues.
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