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A scheme of 95 houses on a brownfield site, the former Sandfield Centre, was approved by Nottingham City Council’s planning committee on 20 December.  In a highly sustainable location and with a substantial previous use, proving minimal impact was straightforward.  The devil was in the detail of the layout.

Last night, South Derbyshire Council granted approval for Harworth Group’s outline application for 130 houses in Swadlincote.  Our work consisted of the Transport Assessment and Travel Plan, and design of a new access junction on the A444 Burton Road.  Pegasus Group provided the masterplan and planning consultancy.

Northampton Gateway is a strategic distribution site adjacent to Junction 15 of the M1.  As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) the planning process is a little different.  Stage 2 Statutory Public Consultation began on 9th October and lasts until 24 November.  You can find more information here:  www.northampton-gateway.co.uk​.

To enable that consultation, we h​​ave been working hard over the last few months, bringing all the proposals and assessments together, in effect as a planning application, with the Draft Environmental Statement and Transport Assessment submitted for public consultation.  A package of transport measures are proposed, including a major upgrade to J15, dualling of the A508, and bypass of Roade.

We are very pleased to say that Newark & Sherwood District Council resolved to approve the redevelopment of Thoresby Colliery at last nights planning committee meeting.  Harworth Group’s proposal includes: 800 houses; 8 hectares of B1 and B2 employment use; a country park; primary school; and local centre​ containing a mix of leisure, retail, employment and community uses.

Our work began at an early stage as we worked with Nottinghamshire County Council to assess the Ollerton Roundabout on the A614, moved through Local Plan promotion with Pegasus Group, and then supported the planning application with a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan.  Team members Leonard Design Associates prepared the masterplan, SCP dealt with drainage, AES ecology, Bentley Project Management costs.

On behalf of Miller Homes, we provided expert witness services, presenting evidence on highways mattters at the recent public inquiry against the refusal of an application for 170 houses on Oaks Road in Great Glen. While Harborough Borough Council offered no case in the end, the Parish Council and local objectors formed the Rule 6 Party and put up three highways witnesses. They also presented evidence on planning, landscape, the housing supply, drainage, and other matters. We await the Inspector’s report.

Melton Borough Council have resolved to grant planning consent to a development of 60 dwellings on Melton Road in Waltham on the Wolds.  In transport terms the proposal was relatively straightforward, the harder work having been completed for the previously consented application for 45 dwellings to the north.  In planning terms, the situation was far from simple, with three other proposals in the village also seeking consent, leading to three previous deferrals by the planning committee. Well done to Pegasus Group for negotiating that maze.

Peveril Securities and Charterpoint sought permission for a new road at Wilmot Lane in Beeston, in advance of a planning application for the residential and retail use it would serve.  Working with Marchini Curran on the layout, we designed the road and the application has been approved by Broxtowe Borough Council.  We are now working up the detailed design to enable a further application to have the road adopted and tidy up some complicated land ownership issues.​

A scheme for 195 houses for Larkfleet has been allowed at appeal following refusal by Boston Borough Council.  While there was no highways reason for refusal, the Rule 6 party objected about various highways issues.  The Inspector agreed with the conclusions of our Transport Assessment, that safe and suitable access would be provided, and found no evidence to support the objectors’ concerns.

Congratulations to Fiona Bessford of Turner & Townsend who was the lucky winner of our East Midlands Property Show 2017 Prize draw.   Enjoy Fiona!

Gedling Borough Council have approved MF Strawson and Barwood Homes’ planning application for 70 dwellings on the former Metallifacture/DURA site on the A60 Mansfield Road at Redhill in Nottingham.  Assessment of the access capacity was the difficult issue, as the A60 is a busy road and our evidence base included videos of neighbouring residential streets with access on to the A60 to backup theoretical junction models.