The Royal Exchange is a highly significant Grade I listed building situated in a prominent location in the City, hosting a wide range of luxury retail and culinary based occupiers.
Firstplan secured various planning permissions and listed building consents for the amalgamation and change of use of two ground floor units and associated vaulted basement unit at The Royal Exchange in the City of London to create a vibrant new restaurant and bar, The Libertine.
Firstplan worked closely with Incipio Group and the project team to secure the necessary permissions and consents, which included the removal of internal walls, various internal alterations and interior fit out works, external signage and installation of restaurant plant at roof level. Firstplan negotiated with planning and conservation officers at the City of London from pre-application discussions through to the determination of the applications, to secure consent for a high quality, modern bar and restaurant concept, which remains sensitive to the building’s historic significance.
Firstplan provided expert planning consultancy services to support Barclays Bank in restoring, modernising, and revitalising branches across the UK. Leading pre-application discussions with Council officers, Firstplan prepared planning and heritage statements, advised project architects, and managed applications for planning and listed building consent. Our strategic approach ensured that the refurbishments met Barclays’ evolving operational needs while complying with local policies and respecting these listed buildings’ historic and architectural significance. By coordinating the project team and negotiating successfully with Council officers, Firstplan secured the necessary approvals to achieve Barclays’ objectives efficiently and effectively.
Firstplan successfully led the planning process to secure highly contentious planning and listed building consents for the redevelopment of this prominent, derelict canal-side site in Limehouse, fronting onto Commercial Road.
The proposals involved the restoration and refurbishment of a number of Grade II listed warehouse buildings. Firstplan led complex negotiations regarding the heritage and planning implications of the proposed works for the buildings, making robust arguments in favour of the improved works in order to persuade both Historic England and London Borough of Tower Hamlets listed building officers to allow significant alterations and the loss of some historic fabric.
The proposed development of the adjoining derelict land was of even greater contention, involving the creation of a 134 room shared living development; one of the first of its kind in London. Firstplan successfully led the project team through pre-application discussions and the subsequent application process to secure planning consent at the first attempt.
Firstplan secured planning permission for a comprehensive renovation of a locally listed former church hall to enable its occupation by our client N Family Club to deliver 120 much-needed childcare places.
Firstplan coordinated a planning application for various external alterations to the building and the creation of a high-quality outdoor play area. Firstplan managed the application process and secured permission for the refurbishment works, discharge of conditions and external signage for the children’s nursery. The project included presentation at one of Richmond Council’s first virtual planning committees.
Firstplan have been working with the Royal Albert Hall to secure consent for various improvements to the Hall as part of the works to upgrade and improve the facilities and experience of the Hall in time for the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2021.
This iconic building is Grade I listed and is a world class venue, hosting many national and internationally important events.
Firstplan have worked with the team to secure various planning and listed building consents for upgrading works including the introduction of a new roof mounted chiller system to provide cooling to the auditorium, a boosted cold water supply system and improvements to the house lighting. In addition to taking part in a public consultation exercise, Firstplan liaised closely with Historic England and Westminster City Council, as part of both pre-application discussions and during the determination process of the applications, to secure acceptable changes to the historic building and helped to deliver the standard of facilities required to ensure this building can continue to provide a world class service.
Firstplan secured listed building consent for alterations to the National Dining Rooms at the Grade I National Gallery, in London.
The National Dining Rooms are within the post modern extension to the National Gallery known as ‘The Sainsbury Wing’ and were designed by Venturi Scott Brown and constructed in 1991 following two famous design competitions. The Dining Rooms are on the first floor mezzanine and overlook Trafalgar Square. The scheme sought to improve access to the space and improve the circulation within the restaurant and allow for a ‘grab and go’ offer to be introduced.
Firstplan liaised with Historic England and Westminster City Council through the pre-application process and listed building consent application to secure consent for the improvements. Firstplan also provided the Heritage Statement and heritage support throughout.
Firstplan secured planning permission and listed building consent for the internal and external refurbishment of this impressive Grade II listed building to allow its occupation by N Family Club.
Our instruction included undertaking an initial background planning appraisal of the site and engaging with Lambeth Council through a pre-application advice request. The works included use of the building as a children’s nursery (Class D1), comprehensive refurbishment of the listed building, demolition and reconstruction of a modern link extension and a complete re-landscaping scheme for the site.
Firstplan prepared, submitted and negotiated the application on N Family Club’s behalf, which included coordination of the consultant team and preparation of a Planning and Heritage Statement to justify the proposals.
The application included negotiation and amendment during the determination period, together with subsequent discharge of condition applications and an advertisement consent application. The facility will deliver over 150 much-needed childcare places within the Tulse Hill area.
Dishoom Kensington
Firstplan secured planning, listed building and advertisement consent for Dishoom in the iconic Barker’s Building, Kensington High Street. The building is grade II listed. The main issues related to listed building considerations and accommodating the plant.
Dishoom Manchester
Firstplan secured planning, listed building and advertisement consent for Dishoom in Manchester. This restaurant occupies part of the Freemason’s Hall, a Grade II listed building in the city centre. The main issues related to resolving the changes required to the listed building to accommodate the restaurant, without loss of historical significance. The proposals also involved providing a revised location for plant at roof level and ensuring that there was no detriment to longer views of the building.
Photographs by John Carey.
Firstplan were instructed as Planning and Heritage consultants to obtain planning permission and listed building consent to restore and convert this redundant early 19th century Grade II listed stable block into a Children’s Nursery (Class D1).
The building was in a poor state of repair and was placed on Historic England’s ‘at risk’ register. The sensitive scheme facilitated the much-needed renovation of the stable block building and enabled the relocation of an existing local children’s nursery into the building, allowing the business to expand and improve the quality and quantity of its premises and the childcare offer.
The project included extensive negotiations with officers at Ealing Council and Historic England with permission obtained in Spring 2018. Firstplan worked alongside the project architects and the scheme was carefully considered to balance a wide range of issues, including the impact of the works on the significance of the listed building, impact of the works on the Metropolitan Open Land within which the building was located, and the impact of the nursery on the surrounding area.
Firstplan secured consent for a mixed office and residential scheme in former commercial premises in Southwark. The scheme involved the change of use and upward extension of buildings located around a courtyard and tightly enclosed by adjacent development.
The main issues were those of design and impact on the Union Street Conservation Area and adjacent listed buildings. Consent was granted on appeal.