DLBP's engagement with the local community

DLBP staff members are continuously improving their expertise in different areas of planning.  DLBP recently attended a RTPI webinar that focused on 'Politics in Planning’ - of course, this is one of the 10 competencies that all RTPI members must demonstrate throughout their career.

The session focussed particularly on how poor engagement or representation of a community can create major issues for progressing a development proposal.  There is often mistrust from the public about the planning sector when it comes to their voices being heard.  It is important for local councillors to represent their community in a way that best gets across the general consensus of an application, regardless of whether this is for or against a proposal.  But this also demonstrates why it is equally - if not more - important for planners to engage with local residents to inform them exactly what the proposed development is, why it is being proposed, and the benefits that it can bring to the wider community.  

In turn, DLBP listens to the views of the local community and feed this into the design process.  

DLBP proactively engages with local residents and councillors (at all levels) from an early stage of the planning application process.  For example, we often hold meetings with MPs, ward councillors, and planning committees, as well as in-person and online public consultation events with residents to have an opportunity to discuss a proposed development.  The Council’s Planning Teams can then have visibility on the engagement work undertaken, and how this has shaped the proposed, as DLBP prepares detailed Statements of Community Involvement to support planning applications. 

If you are seeking some advice about how to engage with the local community, please contact Amy Paterson at amypaterson@dlbp.uk or on 020 3713 8509 to find out how DLBP can help. 

Ministerial Statement from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities

Earlier this week, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP, released a Written Ministerial Statement regarding proposed radical changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, which is to be put out for consultation before Christmas. The headlines are that:

- a revised method for calculating local housing need could come to fruition, to allow more flexibility for local authorities to work with communities to determine how many homes could be built when considering genuine area-specific constraints such as Green Belt, National Parks, heritage assets, and character;

- to encourage local authorities to maintain and prepare up-to-date local plans, local authorities with up-to-date plans may not be obliged to maintain a five-year supply of housing. Those that are well-advanced in producing a new plan may have two years to revise their plan, and in the meantime, would only need to demonstrate a four year housing land supply;

- planning fees may be increased to support resourcing, with retrospective applications likely facing the highest charges;

- to encourage developers to build out housing schemes with planning permission, there could be more accountability for those who do not deliver, or family to deliver their legal commitments to the community; and

- there could be a re-emphasis on the 'brownfield first approach’ to planning, clarifying that local authorities would not be expected to review the Green Belt boundaries to deliver housing, proposed new funding for ‘unlocking’ brownfield land, and introduction a new Infrastructure Levy with lower rates for brownfield land.

DLBP will review the upcoming National Planning Policy Framework Prospectus when published to fully understand how the changes could affect existing and future development projects, particularly for new housing. If you have any questions about how the updates could affect your developments, then please get in touch.

Sussex North Water Neutrality mitigation strategy published

In September 2021, Natural England raised significant concerns over the amount of water being abstracted in the Sussex North Water Resource Zone and the potential adverse impacts on designated habitats across parts of Horsham, Crawley and Chichester districts, and the South Downs National Park.  

To prevent any further harm to these habitats, Natural England advised all proposals for new development in the Water Resource Zone must demonstrate water neutrality in order to be approved.

To demonstrate water neutrality, new development must result in the same or lower amount of water use than that which is currently consumed on site.  Water neutrality can be achieved through the use of water-saving devices, more-efficient appliances and grey-water recycling but has, so far, proved difficult to demonstrate.

Since Natural England issued its original advice, local authorities in the Water Resource Zone have been devising a strategy to reduce water abstraction and allow up to 19,800 new homes to come forward by 2039.  

A Water Neutrality Mitigation Strategy has now been published which sets out a two-stage approach to managing water abstraction in the Water Resource Zone.  Stage 1 seeks to reduce demand by imposing a water consumption target of 85 litres per person per day on all new developments (compared to 110 l/p/d recommended previously).  Stage 2 then requires developers to pay a fee to local authorities to offset additional demand elsewhere (details for which are still to be finalised).

DLBP is currently advising its clients about how the water neutrality mitigation strategy will affect new developments in the Sussex North Water Resource Zone. 

If you have any queries about this matter and how it may affect your proposal, please contact Jack Allenby at jackallenby@dlbp.uk or 020 3713 8505.

Mitigation Strategy Approved: The Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation

In April 2022, DLBP reported on the development embargo associated with The Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation - click here to read about the situation.

Last month, Dacorum Borough Council's Cabinet approved a mitigation strategy for the Ashridge Commons and Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest. The purpose of the strategy is to avoid adverse recreational impact associated with new development (such as increased public access and disturbance impacts) on the integrity of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation at the Ashridge Commons and Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest.

This will be achieved through the implementation of two key mitigation measures; a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy, and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace.

Qualifying development is dependent on the proposed use of a site, and whether it is located in the 500m Avoidance Zone or the 12.6km Zone of Influence. For example, proposals for new additional residential dwellings within the 500m Avoidance Zone and 12.6km Zone of Influence are automatically screened in, but for other uses, including care homes and hotels, the screening process is determined on a case by case basis.

DLBP is currently advising a number of existing and new clients about how the new mitigation strategy will affect new developments in the area. If you have any queries about the mitigation strategy, and how it may affect your proposal, please contact Henry Dunleavy at henrydunleavy@dlbp.uk or 020 3713 8502.

DLBP secures permission for luxury London air-space development

DLBP is delighted to have secured planning permission for an upwards extension to two existing four storey buildings in Woodford, London, on behalf of Upspace Construction Services.

DLBP prepared and submitted a full planning application to the London Borough of Redbridge seeking approval for five new luxury apartments, with terraces and balconies. We were successful in promoting the numerous benefits of the scheme - including the contribution of the scheme to the housing targets for the Borough (and the London Plan), and the high-quality of its architectural design to improve the appearance of the existing buildings.

We worked to ensure there these scheme received no objections from the Council or members of the local community, and so the scheme was approved without the need to be heard at Planning Committee.

We very much look forward to continuing to assist Upspace Construction Services in achieving approval for similar schemes across the capital.

DLBP submits multi-year planning application for Salon Privé London

DLBP is delighted to have submitted an application to hold Salon Privé London at the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in late April 2023 to 2026.

Salon Privé London was held previously at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in April 2022, for which which DLBP secured planning permission. The three day event showcased a range of new and classic desirable cars alongside luxury retail and gourmet dining.

Following the success of that event, DLBP were instructed to prepare and submit a further application for full planning permission and advertisement consent to hold the event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for a further four years.

Salon Privé London will perfectly complement those event currently held annually at the South Grounds - RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Masterpiece London Art Fair, and Global Champions Tour - to attract many visitors to this spectacular venue at the heart of Kensington and Chelsea.

DLBP visits Monaco

The DLBP team recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to Monaco, the most densely populated country in the world, to enhance our knowledge about how to creatively increase housing supply through densification. The recent spike in demand is due to the immense desirability to own property in the world’s second smallest country.

The team were very impressed by the enormous scale of development and the land reclamation projects that have shaped Monaco’s transformation over the years.

The ongoing Mareterra development provides an example of how land reclamation is defining Monaco’s current development strategy, whereby 20% of Monaco is artificial land.

A particular highlight of the trip was the steep uphill climb to the Prince’s Palace (passing the statue of Prince Rainier III) and the adjoining historic old town of Monaco-Ville. From there, spectacular views of the Port de Fonteveille and Port Hercule were found, where the extent of the large-scale developments could be appreciated.

DLBP secures approval for amendment to Cambridgeshire care home

DLBP is delighted to have secured approval for a minor material amendment to planning permission for a 72 bed care home in Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, on behalf of a leading provider of elderly care and long-standing client, Hamberley Care Homes.

DLBP were instructed by Hamberley to prepare and submit an application to amend the plans approved previously for the care home to allow for changes to the internal layout, window and roof design, and car parking and services arrangements. These changes were sought to improve delivery of the care home, and to enable a more-efficient running when it becomes operational.

DLBP liaised closely with the Council throughout the application process, successfully justifying the amendments to be minor changes that would continue to provide a high-quality care home.

DLBP is pleased to have assisted Hamberley Care Homes with this matter, and look forward to continue advising them on future planning-related matters.