staff training

Last year we ran a year long programme of leadership and management training for all our line managers. It went down so well we decided to roll it out to everyone else. This week saw the end of the programme in a sprint exercise addressing three key business questions. The sessions were led by our business coach Paul Wreaves of Achieve Business Coaching.

Queniborough appeal allowed

Another in a recent run of appeal successes sees David Wilson Homes’ appeal against refusal of their application for 150 dwellings at Barkby Road in Queniborough allowed. Hard work at the application stage meant highways matters were resolved with Leicestershire County Council and were not a reason for refusal. The biggest challenge was designing a mitigation scheme at the Queniborough Crossroads to mitigate the traffic increase while minimising the impact on street trees, with arboricultural assistance from FPCR. The key reason for refusal was landscape, ably dealt with by team members Pegasus, and although highways was not a reason for refusal, we prepared appeal statements in response to objections by interested parties.

consent granted – Land East of Coventry Lane, Bramcote

On Wednesday 8 November, Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee resolved to grant consent to Avant Homes’ full planning application for 473 dwellings on Land East of Coventry Lane. The application was supported by our Transport Assessment and Travel Plan, and resolved matters with Nottinghamshire County Council and National Highways, who were concerned about impact at the A52 Bramcote Island. We designed a signal controlled crossroads on Coventry Lane to provide access to the development.

success in Bournemouth

We are pleased to share the news that our project for new student accommodation on Hinton Road in Bournemouth has successfully received planning consent (scheme mock-up below). The development is for a new 8-storey building, which will offer up to 176 beds. This is the latest of a number of successful schemes we have worked on for McLaren Property via Howard Ward Associates. We produced the Transport Assessment, Travel Plan, Waste and Servicing Strategy.

Broadnook infrastructure going well

Some fantastic drone pictures by Jeremy Murfitt of Everything is Somewhere show Broadnook’s primary infrastructure emerging. The new roundabout on the A6, and internal roundabout, link road to Rothley, attenuation basins, and earthworks are beautifully visible from the air. We continue to assist the contractor ECL as they implement our designs.

success for Bennerley Viaduct

The beautiful Bennerley Viaduct is set to be appreciated by more people following a successful planning application for a new visitor centre, ramp, and car park. The viaduct has a cycle ramp at its western end, but only stairs at its eastern end. The new ramp will to improve cycle access, and the small café and associated car park will improve facilities for visitors. The application by Friends of Bennerley Viaduct Group was supported by our Transport Statement, which successfully determined the amount of traffic that would come and go, and that the junction on the A6096 Shilo Way (Awsworth Bypass) would be able to safely accommodate the traffic. We look forward to revisiting once the café is open.

Burbage appeal allowed

Another appeal success. This time, we are pleased to report that Avant Homes’ appeal against refusal of their 85 home development at Lychgate Lane is Burbage has been allowed. The application was supported by our Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy, and Transport Assessment and Travel Plan. Leicestershire County Council in their role as lead local flood authority, and local highway authority, raised no objections subject to conditions. Nevertheless, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council refused the application for two reasons, landscape and highways related. Despite that, working with Marrons Planning, we managed to remove the highways reason for refusal in the run up to the Inquiry. FPCR ably dealt with the landscape reason, and the appeal was allowed.