Firstplan obtained consent at appeal for 12 flats including conversion of a public house and a new build block on the attached car park.
The reasons for refusal by Redbridge included the design and massing of the block and the impact on the amenity of the neighbouring flats.
Firstplan successfully presented the case for the scheme, with the Inspector agreeing that the proposals were appropriate for the site and would positively contribute to the character of the area.
Firstplan secured consent for the demolition and redevelopment of an existing house to allow the construction of five new large family sized homes comprising four semi-detached and one detached dwelling.
Significant local opposition was overcome in successfully arguing that the proposal would optimise and make more effective use of the site to meet identified housing need.
Firstplan has acted for National Grid Property Holdings in respect of the Former Gas Works in Ashford, Kent since 2006. Firstplan initially became involved when a new road was proposed to cross the 2.49 hectare site, as part of a major regeneration area in Ashford.
Negotiations commenced to secure the re-alignment of the proposed road, together with the use of the site for primarily residential development. The negotiation involved various consultation processes, including the Examinations in Public for the Ashford Core Strategy and the Town Centre Area Action Plan. Firstplan co-ordinated the preparation of a masterplan indicating how 610 dwellings could be provided on the site, and planning permission has now been obtained (2011) for the remediation of the site. The road (Victoria Way) has now been built to give access to the previously landlocked site, thereby allowing National Grid’s regeneration aspirations to come forward.
Firstplan is now instructed to prepare and submit a planning application for residential development.
The scheme at 101–109 Fairfield Road sought to maximise the development potential of this brownfield site in East London. The site consisted of a two storey warehouse building and Firstplan achieved consent for a high density development of 46 residential units arranged over six storeys (1370hr/ha).
The development includes a range of unit sizes and tenures, and the requirement for amenity space is achieved by the provision of a large communal roof terrace.
Firstplan secured change of use from B1 (office) to C3 (residential) to create twelve residential units under the provisions of Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013. Detailed site planning considerations included the need to provide access arrangements and levels of car parking provision sufficient to satisfy Council Planning and Highway Officers. Working to a tight timescale we overcame resident and last minute highway objections regarding parking numbers and site access.
As part of RADA’s celebration of Lord Attenborough’s life and legacy, known as the Attenborough Campaign, Firstplan secured planning and listed building consent for a scheme of alterations, extensions, demolition and refurbishment to create the 300 seat Richard Attenborough Theatre, 60 bed purpose-built student accommodation, a new publically accessible refectory, bar and kitchen, library, exhibition space, ancillary offices, and various other alterations to modernise and improve facilities at the RADA campus at No.16 and 18 Chenies Street.
No.16 is a Grade II listed property and the site is situated within a conservation area. Working closely with the architect in securing planning and listed building consent, Firstplan sought to address detailed heritage and planning considerations to modernise the facilities, whilst retaining the sites historic significance and character.
Firstplan work with Visu Verum to achieve planning permission for substantial individual houses, including: new builds, basements and rear extensions.
Specialising in Wimbledon, Coombe, Cobham and Central London, the houses are bespoke designs and provide high quality elegant family homes which make the most of their plots.
The projects generally include a large uplift in floorspace and must be justified in terms of their impact on the character of the area and the amenity of neighbouring residents.
Firstplan obtained consent at appeal for a mixed-use building providing new commercial floorspace, with residential units above. Discussions with the local planning authority followed, concerning the height of the building and the provision of a penthouse flat.
Firstplan successfully argued that the new floorspace and penthouse would not detract from the conservation area within which the site is located, and was appropriate in the wider context. It was argued that the new proposals would provide a superior building within its overall setting.
Firstplan worked with award winning architects Stanton Williams to secure consent for a replacement dwelling in the Highgate Conservation Area, close to Hampstead Heath. The site was designated as a Private Open Space and therefore the openness of the site was a key consideration. Considerable additional floorspace was achieved by the provision of a lower ground floor which was set into the slope of the site. The house won the prestigious RIBA London Award 2015.
Firstplan acted in respect of a 4ha site in West Bromwich on behalf of National Grid. A resolution to grant outline planning permission for a residential development comprising of up to 134 dwellings was granted subject to a Section106 agreement.
The proposal involves a mixture of unit sizes and house types, and extensive discussions were held with the Council regarding the viability of the proposals due to the abnormal costs associated with the remediation of the site.