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.
459 Park Avenue, Bushey was originally built as offices but has been converted into flats under a prior approval (office to residential) and subsequent planning applications for upward extensions to the building. With works to convert the building to residential use already underway, Firstplan were appointed to optimise the development potential of the building by securing planning permission for additional floors in the airspace above the existing building to accommodate further units.
Firstplan advised on planning strategy and, through a phased approach, successfully secured permission for three new floors to provide a total of 23 extra flats.
Designed by Bellis Architects, the additional storeys are recessed behind private balconies with generous glazing to create a light weight appearance which complements the existing building and delivers high quality living space. Firstplan advised on all planning aspects of the scheme and led detailed negotiations with Council officers, including S106 negotiations and presentation at planning committee on the Client’s behalf.
Firstplan negotiated with Lewisham Council to secure planning permission for the demolition of a two storey dwelling house to allow redevelopment for the erection of a five storey block of flats (4×2 bed and 1×3 bed).
Firstplan led pre-application discussions with Council officers and provided planning and strategy advice to the client and project architect to overcome officer’s concerns regarding height, massing, design and parking provision. A detailed Planning Statement and Pre-application Statement were prepared to support the successful planning application.
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 successfully secured consent by prior approval for the change of use of a retail unit (Class A1) for use as a restaurant (Class A3) in this busy town centre location. The existing tenant was soon to vacate the premises and our client sought to maximise the potential to find a suitable long-term tenant by securing the change of use to a restaurant to enable the unit to be marketed to a wider range of occupiers.
The Class A1 retail use of the unit was protected by adopted planning policy. Firstplan therefore advised the client to make use of permitted development rights afforded by Class C of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 which allow for the change of use of retail, betting office or pay day loan shops to a restaurant. These permitted development rights are subject to a number of conditions and limitations, and the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority.
Firstplan has extensive experience of the prior approval process, including office to residential schemes, domestic extensions and other developments. Our understanding of the procedures and restrictions was a huge benefit to our client. As a result, we were able to secure the change of use to a restaurant via the prior approval process, which would otherwise have been more difficult through a traditional planning application.
Firstplan has secured similar consents via the prior approval process at Westminster City Council, Lambeth Council and Southwark Council.
Firstplan acted on behalf of a private residential client to develop a scheme in conjunction with the project architects to accommodate a new self-contained studio apartment within a roof extension to a Victorian residential property in West Acton.
Firstplan were instructed following the refusal of a previous application for a similar proposal. This project required a creative design solution which adhered to the national minimum space stands while also satisfying the Council’s detailed design requirements.
Following a comprehensive review of the proposals in collaboration with the architects, a robust planning statement and extensive negotiations with officers, Firstplan secured planning permission for a new studio dwelling, which achieved a significant increase in value for our client.
Firstplan worked closely with the project architect to gain planning permission for the demolition of an existing property, situated within a conservation area, to allow the erection of an innovative and contemporary designed dwelling house set over ground and basement floors, with court yard garden.
The application site comprised a constrained infill plot located within and surrounded by heritage assets. An important factor in the success of the scheme was the care and attention paid to meeting the client’s brief, whilst protecting the amenity of neighbouring properties, with a high quality design that enhanced the character and appearance of the conservation area. Firstplan provided detailed planning and heritage advice to successfully achieve these development goals. Firstplan’s role also comprised the preparation of a Pre-application Planning Statement and a Planning and Heritage Statement to support the development proposals.
Firstplan successfully obtained permission for the demolition of an existing house and its replacement with a new house. The site is a prominent small corner plot, and the design is very contemporary including a roof terrace offering spectacular views across London, and cantilevered bays, which required planning permission to overhang the footpath below. Swift boxes were incorporated as part of the fabric of the building providing potential habitat and a sculptural artwork of a group of swifts in flight provides interest across the rear elevation. The building was completed in 2015 and has since featured in London’s Open House Weekend.
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.