Agricultural building, Mansfield The owner of a small holding wanted to build a barn to hold animal feed, agricultural machinery and materials but was refused planning consent as the site was in a sensitive landscape area and the need for the building had not been established. We have worked with the client and local planning authority to establish the agricultural need, present crime figures and produce more acceptable revised proposals that reduce the potential impact of the development through siting, size and landscaping. A planning statement submitted included visualisations of how the new development would look.
Leisure centre, Northamptonshire Consent had been obtained for a Leisure Centre including swimming pool, gym and bar, but the development as built was so different from the permission that the local planning authority was refused to discharge conditions, in particular for flood risk. It also indicated it might refuse consent for further development elsewhere on the site until the issue was resolved. We have worked with the local planning authority to regularise the planning consent including finding an acceptable solution for potential flood issues so that all parties are happy with the outcome and potential future development on the site can go ahead.
Caravan and Lodge Park extension, Lancashire An environmental scoping study was prepared for a site south of the Lake District formerly used for sand and gravel extraction which the owner wished to develop for static caravans and lodges, together with associated facilities potentially including a small hotel and convenience shopping. Part of the site is a County Biological Heritage Site and it is next to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The report gathered together relevant planning policy and existing environmental information both on and off site and quantified the major environmental constraints of ecology, flood risk and transport issues. It also examined other potential environmental issues, but concluded that none of these either individually or jointly were significant enough to prevent development going ahead, and also fell far short of the level at which a formal Environmental Impact Assessment would be needed.
Travel Plan, Carnforth Evidence was provided to allow the discharge of a planning condition requiring implementation of a travel plan imposed by Lancashire County Council. The travel plan includes public transport, walking and cycling measures and the provision of relevant information on these modes to people staying at a lodge site.
Seasonal occupancy of caravan sites Planning applications were submitted to the Local Planning Authorities at three sites in the South Lakes and Lancashire areas to replace seasonal occupancy restrictions by alternative conditions that allow sites to be occupied for holidays all year round. In the past these conditions have often been used to ensure that caravan and chalet sites are not permanently occupied, and in some cases to allow sensitive environments to recover. However the nature of tourism is changing. There is a significant trend towards leisure breaks in winter. Advances in caravan and lodge design and insulation mean that these are suitable for holiday use all year round, and that owners now want to enjoy weekends away, even in the middle of winter. The relaxation of these conditions will pus money into the local economy and create jobs at a time when relatively fewer seasonal jobs are available, as well as making the sites more viable for owners.
Residential development, Sheffield Advice was given on the development potential of a site that could be suitable for residential development. The site formed a triangle to the rear of established housing and advice was given on a number of potential constraints including access, traffic, wildlife, noise, visual intrusion and other potential effects on neighbours. A strategy was proposed to approach both the local community and planning authority that gave the maximum chance to secure approval for development on the site.
Replacement garage, Peak National Park Advice was given on the replacement of a garage and the redevelopment potential of a site in a Peak District village. Sensitive issues included the effect on a Conservation Area, neighbours, and materials.
Environmental Management System (ISO14001), Greater Manchester Peter Black was responsible for managing the introduction of an EMS certified to ISO14001 at an organisation employing 450 people. The case including resources and timescales was developed and presented to the Chief Executive. Following board approval, the process was managed including preparation of an environmental legal register, training, awareness, auditing, monitoring and overseeing the annual certification process. The EMS has dramatically increased environmental awareness and standards within the organisation, including legal compliance, and has saved money, particularly from better stock control, better separation and recycling of waste materials and reduction of fuel bills both for buildings and the car and van fleet.
Climate Change Strategy, Greater Manchester The need for a climate change strategy was established, and carbon footprint calculated using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Other background data and various Government policies were assembled and analysed leading to the creation of a strategy that is saving significant amounts of money on fuel bills for heating, air conditioning and diesel for the company fleet. The organisation secured a grant to install a micro-hydroelectric plant at one of its premises. Overall the strategy resulted in substantial reductions in climate change gas emissions and significant positive publicity.
Major bids for sustainable transport funding, Greater Manchester Two major bids were produced for £29 and £50 million of funding for sustainable travel. These both included preparation of project management plans, assembling bid resources and a bid team and managing the process through to final bid submission. Key stages were devising measures, ensuring these formed a coherent programme, proving detailed implementation plans and risk management and securing public and political support.
