news

More drone footage of the infrastructure works at Broadnook by Everything is Somewhere. The new access arrangements on the A6 are almost complete and although out of picture, the first houses are beginning to emerge.

Another technical approval in the bag. This one supports the works that are a condition on the consent for 65 dwellings at Alfreton Road in Pinxton. We helped gain outline consent for the development in 2018. We subsequently assisted Gleeson gain reserved matters consent. More recently, we have undertaken the detailed design of the off-site Section 278 works, which includes three schemes: a relocated bus stop; pedestrian and cycle link to Storth Lane; and the widening of the Pinxton Lane approach to Mansfield Road to give extra traffic capacity to the junction (extract from our signing and lining drawing below). Derbyshire County Council issued their technical approval letter this week.

After many months of work on behalf of Hallam Land Management and the Carlton Forest Group, we are pleased to report their outline planning application has been submitted to Bassetlaw District Council. The application seeks consent for up to 1,120 homes, up to 6.5ha of land for employment use, and up to 2.5ha of land for a local centre and other uses. A link road runs through the development, connecting access roundabouts on the A60 Carlton Road and the B6045 Blyth Road. The application is supported by our Transport Assessment, Travel Plan, and ES chapter.

The biggest challenge has been the alignment and cross-section design of the western end of the link road, where it rises sharply from the A60 to pass through Hill Wood. Various options were explored in 3D to understand the earthworks required, and impact on trees. We look forward to working with consultees in the coming months towards gaining a consent. Masterplan by FPCR below.

Following some ten-pin bowling, it was back to the office for secret santa, a team picture, and preparation for a night out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can you believe it’s that time of year again. We’ll be attending the EAST MIDLANDS EXPO / PROPERTY & BUSINESS INVESTMENT SHOW this coming Monday 13 November. Do drop by our stand to say hello, we’re very much looking forward to seeing you.

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.