Firstplan secured Prior Approved under Part 20 Class A of the amended Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2020 for the construction of an additional storey in the airspace above an existing block of flats in Thornton to create two new residential units.
Designed by Lipton Plant Architects, the materiality, form and fenestration of the roof addition mirrors that of the floor below to provide a sympathetic and appropriate extension which relates well to both the host building and the character of the wider area. The two newly created dual aspect flats provide light, open-plan living accommodation and make more efficient use of the site. Our application successfully demonstrated that the proposals are acceptable in respect of all Prior Approval matters including external appearance, natural light, flood risk, amenity and transport.
Firstplan secured planning permission for the change of use of a restaurant/nightclub to a pre-school, family café and basement soft play and community space.
The instruction included pre-application negotiations with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council, and management of the planning application through to approval at the first time of asking.
As part of the negotiations Firstplan had to justify the loss of the restaurant use, which was protected by planning policy due to the location of the site on a protected frontage. This was achieved through marketing evidence and demonstrating the demand and public benefits of the proposed use, securing a valuable consent for our Client.
Firstplan advised on the planning strategy for the extension and upgrading of Mansfield Heights; three blocks of 1950’s flats in Haringey originally designed by the Metropolitan Police Architects Department for use as police housing. Working within the constraints of the original buildings, Firstplan obtained Prior Approval under Part 20 Class A of the amended Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2020 to allow an additional storey to be constructed above both the north and south blocks to provide a total of 11 new one-bed dwellings. A follow-up Prior Approval was then secured to increase the six storey central tower to eight storeys and introduce two additional residential units, for a total of 13 new units across the three buildings.
Firstplan also secured planning permissions for enhancements to the wider estate, which included outbuildings, increased car and cycle parking, refuse storage, hard and soft landscaping, lighting, signage and seating.
The scheme delivers contemporary, high-quality roof additions that adopt a bespoke design approach for each of the three blocks, reflecting their locations within the estate and their relationship with the surrounding buildings. The roof extensions are then successfully unified by using dark zinc cladding to create a harmonious contrast to their host, whilst sitting within an attractive and welcoming setting.
Firstplan secured planning permission for the erection of two new dwellings to the rear of Jameson Lodge, a 1960s residential apartment block in Highgate. Through an innovative design approach and extensive pre-application discussions, it was possible to overcome officers resistance to the loss of garden space by partially demolishing the existing, unused garages and utilising their footprint.
The development provides a new three bedroom house along with a two bedroom first floor unit above the front garage block. As well as preserving a generous garden area, the new units sit within extensive new planting and incorporate oak cladding suspended and cantilevered over the retained garages ensuring that the proposals are sympathetic to the site’s leafy, urban setting.
The scheme is designed by Lipton Plant Architects.
Firstplan secured planning permission for Orbit Beers to expand its micro-brewery in Walworth and create an on-site taproom and beer garden.
Firstplan led negotiations with London Borough of Southwark Council, including a pre-application advice request and an application for the expansion of the brewery and change of use part of the site from industrial (Class B2) to bar (Class A4) land use.
The taproom and beer garden now provides a space for Orbit Beers to showcase the beers brewed on site, and a fantastic venue for the local community.
Firstplan’s instruction also included the preparation of an Operational Management Plan for the taproom and beer garden to ensure that this would not be disturbing to the surrounding area.
Firstplan has further secured planning permission for Orbit Beers for commercial plant equipment associated with its brewing operations.
Firstplan advised on the planning strategy for works to upgrade and enhance Harley Court, a detached 1960’s block of flats in Wanstead. Firstplan secured Prior Approval under Part 20 Class A of the amended Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2020 to allow an upward extension above the existing building to provide 12 additional one and two bed units.
Firstplan presented two alternative design options, both of which take full advantage of the new airspace permitted development rights by providing two additional storeys above the existing building. We successfully argued that, in both instances, the carefully designed additional storeys serve to enhance the overall appearance of this somewhat dated, functional building. Officers agreed that the proposals are acceptable in terms of external appearance and all other technical Prior Approval matters such as natural light, flood risk and amenity.
Scheme designed by Trevor Horne Architects.
Utilising the new Class ZA permitted development rights, Firstplan successfully secured Prior Approval to allow the demolition of an existing vacant warehouse and its replacement with nine new self-contained residential flats. This heritage-led project will provide an attractive and well-designed new industrial style building at the rear of the site and will also see the transformation and restoration of a pair of Victorian villas at the front of the site.
Following pre-application discussions, Firstplan submitted a Prior Approval application under Class ZA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2020 (as amended) confirming that the scheme complies with the relevant permitted development rights. Our application submission also demonstrated that the scheme was acceptable in relation to the specified prior approval matters, including transport impact, natural light, external appearance and impact on amenity.
Scheme designed by BB Partnership Ltd.
Firstplan successfully secured planning permission for the demolition of an existing house and its replacement with a new flatted development providing seven high quality residential units.
The site is located within the designated Fulham Regeneration Area, where 7,000 new homes are to be delivered and a number of other regeneration projects are already underway. The scheme achieves a notable uplift in housing numbers and makes more efficient use of this highly accessible, brownfield site. Designed by Bellis Architects, the contemporary part three/part four storey building responds to the evolving context of Fulham town centre and regeneration area and provides light, spacious one and two bed homes, all of which benefit from private amenity space.
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.
Firstplan secured planning permission for a comprehensive renovation of a locally listed pre-school building to enable its occupation by our client N Family Club to deliver 100 much-needed childcare places.
Our instruction included undertaking an initial background planning appraisal of the site to aid our client’s acquisition process. This identified a number of constraints, including a restrictive planning condition that limited the operational capacity of the building.
Firstplan coordinated a planning application for various external alterations to the building, the creation of a high-quality outdoor play area and the increase of the building’s restricted capacity to suit our client’s needs.
Firstplan managed the application process and secured permission for the refurbishment works, discharge of conditions and external signage for the children’s nursery.