Firstplan secured planning permission for a unique, contemporary roof extension to an existing office building within the historic core of the St Paul’s Cathedral Conservation Area.
Firstplan led pre-application discussions with the City of London and managed the planning application process, including the preparation of a Planning and Heritage Statement to justify the proposals. We worked directly with the project architects, HUT Architecture, to jointly develop a scheme that met our client’s bold ambitions and responded positively to this historic location.
One of our roles as Planning and Heritage Consultants was to undertake a heritage impact assessment of the building and proposals to demonstrate that there would be no harm to the character or setting of the Conservation Area or any impact on protected views of the Grade I listed St Paul’s Cathedral. The result is that this client will be able to extend their existing office building in this desirable location, in a unique new space with unparalleled views of the Cathedral.
Firstplan secured planning and listed building consent for the refurbishment of a Grade II listed Victorian villa within the Holland Park Conservation Area. The building was a highly decorative and attractive example of Victorian development, but was suffering from issues stemming from water ingress caused by a leaking roof.
Our client was therefore required to undertake urgent repairs to the building to ensure that it remained water-tight and that the heritage asset was safeguarded. Firstplan was able to act quickly and prepare a robust submission to the local planning authority, securing consent ahead of the statutory timeframes to enable the works to be undertaken.
Firstplan also negotiated and secured the use of contemporary materials in the roof refurbishment which had clear performance, cost and energy efficiency benefits for our client. Our role included initial advice, the preparation of a planning and heritage statement, and the submission and negotiation of the applications with the planning and heritage officers.
Firstplan secured planning permission and listed building consent for the conversion of this impressive Grade II listed building in central Westminster to a single residential dwelling, together with contemporary rear extensions and a partially sunken annexe within the rear garden.
Firstplan provided advice from project inception through to the determination of the application, including the preparation of a planning, design and access statement and a heritage impact assessment. We overcame a local planning policy objection which resists office to residential conversions, and secured a series of internal alterations to this listed building to create an exceptional family home a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace.
Firstplan secured planning permission and listed building consent for the refurbishment and extension of this Grade II listed residential property, which included the conversion of the pavement vaults into habitable accommodation and a rear extension.
Firstplan provided advice from project inception through to the determination of the application, including the coordination of pre-application discussions and negotiations with Westminster City Council. Firstplan submitted the application and prepared detailed planning, design and access and heritage statements to justify the proposals. After obtaining planning permission and listed building consent, Firstplan also secured revisions to the scheme and managed the discharge of a series of planning conditions.
No. 10-11 Dacre Street is an unlisted building of merit situated within a conservation area. Firstplan secured planning consent for change of use from B1 (office) to C3 (residential) at first and second floors, together with partial demolition behind the retained façade, significant roof and rear extensions and associated external alterations. Firstplan overcame a number of policy objections regarding roof level additions and parking. The instruction included the preparation of a planning and heritage impact statement and the submission of an application to discharge the planning conditions.
The grant of consent allows the client to modernise and enlarge the property to create high quality and desirable residential accommodation in the heart of Westminster.
Located in the centre of Ipswich, the Grade II listed Corn Exchange is an excellent example of High Victorian civic architecture. The Little Waitrose proposals represented an exciting opportunity to provide a new convenience foodstore at ground floor level, complementing the existing range of entertainment uses within the historic building.
The proposals involved a partial change of use from D2 to A1, internal and external alterations, including the reintroduction of the former Princes Street entrance, refurbished shopfronts and new external roof plant.
Firstplan advised Waitrose on planning strategy and process from project inception to completion, including; pre-application discussions, the preparation of planning, listed building and signage applications and the discharge of conditions.
Redevelopment of an outdated 1960’s shopping centre for a new 5,410 sq m gross Class A1 foodstore, refurbished shops, multi-level parking, and a new 75 bed hotel.
The application site was constrained by a substantial residential tower which has been retained. The new floorspace had to be designed around this. In addition, the site is within a Conservation Area, an area of known archaeological importance, and in close proximity to a number of listed buildings.
Financial viability and complex ownership issues resulted in phasing and further design constraints to retain the existing residential tower and part of a retail arcade.
An important element of the scheme was the need to re-establish and improve pedestrian links with the High Street to encourage linked trips.
Firstplan acted on behalf of Nando’s to secure permission for various planning, advertisement and listed building consent applications at this grade II* listed railway arch. The site fell within the Bath Conservation Area and is adjacent to Bath Railway Station, which is designated as being within the Bath World Heritage Site.
Following the wider redevelopment of the site, Firstplan was instructed to secure consent for a signage scheme, internal and external works, the installation of plant and creation of an external seating. In securing these consents, it was imperative to ensure that the works, which were necessary in order to bring the unit back into use, would continue to preserve the designated heritage assets. Historic features, such as original rail tracks and carts, together with a coal chute were restored and incorporated into the final proposal, in agreement with Historic England.
Royal Arcade is a grade II* listed building in Norwich City Centre. The arcade was opened in 1899 and was described as ‘a fragment from the Arabian Nights dropped into the heart of the Old City’. The arcade is of an art nouveau style with high glass ceilings. It features white-tiled Moorish archways with a marble mosaic floor.
Firstplan obtained planning and listed building consent for change of use from retail to restaurant, installation of a commercial kitchen, including a flue and other plant, and internal alterations. The key to achieving success was early engagement with officers and English Heritage. The result is a very impressive restaurant which makes use of the building’s historic assets.
Hill Street is an 18th Century grade I listed townhouse. The property was originally the home of Sir Abraham Hume, an important cultural figure in 18th century London. The building is particularly important as it retains a virtually complete scheme of alteration and decoration by Robert Adam in the context of an earlier house by Benjamin Timbrell.
Firstplan obtained listed building consent and planning permission for a variety of works to enhance the office space provision including alterations to internal partitions, replacing the air conditioning system, providing satellite facilities, landscaping the courtyard and other refurbishment works. It was important to understand the significance of the building to ensure that the modern alterations could be incorporated whilst protecting this important heritage asset.