Councillors have now approved the St Augustine’s Care Home scheme, which consists of two complementary elements, following a process encompassing positive community liaison reflecting the Government’s Big Society approach in action.

The first part is the redevelopment of an existing care home, owned and managed by the English Provenience of the Sisters Hospitallers of Sacred Heart of Jesus, to provide state-of-the-art dementia care facilities. The second element covers the erection of 40 residential dwellings which will comprise of a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom properties on land which has been deemed surplus to requirements. This will help fund the project.

The proposals were approved by Runnymede Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday 18th April subject to the signing of a legal agreement which will provide 16 affordable homes and contributions to the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area.

Keir Price, of Brooke Smith Planning, said: “After positive discussions with local residents and planning officers at Runnymede Borough Council, we’re delighted that the proposals for the redevelopment of the care home and ancillary residential development have now been endorsed.

This will allow the Sisters to remain at the heart of the community in Addlestone for the foreseeable future, serving that community with the very best facilities. The adjacent enabling residential development will also see vacant land come back into beneficial use and also provide much needed affordable homes for the local area.”

Whilst the issue of sustainable development and the presumption in favour of such development has been much discussed, below are Brooke Smith Planning’s top changes we have spotted in the NPPF which you may have missed:

No 6: For the next 12 months “.…decision-takers may continue to give full weight to relevant policies adopted since 2004 even if there is a limited degree of conflict with this Framework.” (Annex 1 Paragraph 214)

Comment: While Council’s have been given a 12 month period of grace to get an adopted Core Strategy into place, what happens if they do not manage to? Will this be planning by appeal as Councils argue their local policy takes precedence over the NPPF?

No 5: Local authorities should “identify and update a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years worth of housing against their housing requirements with an additional buffer of 5%…. or where there has been a record of persistent under delivery of housing, local planning authorities should increase the buffer to 20%” (Paragraph 47)

Comment: This increased requirement in annual housing supply may leave some Councils struggling, particularly those who have failed to deliver adequate housing in the past.

No 4: Reference is made to new isolated homes in the countryside, including those of exceptional quality or innovation and “where the development would re-use redundant or disused buildings and lead to an enhancement to the immediate setting….” (Paragraph 55)

Comment: By changing the presumption from offices to residential this appears to be good news for anyone planning a barn-conversion in the countryside or who have a previous office conversion sitting their ‘to let’ and empty.

No 3: The guidance states that “Local communities through local and neighbourhood plans should be able to identify for special protection green areas of particular importance to them” (Paragraph 76)

Comment: This will allow local residents to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances. Does this threaten the potential to develop any land which communities feel should be classed as a green space – even when in private ownership?

No 2: The Green Belt guidance has changed, with a number of subtle changes including the

“provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and for cemeteries…; ….the extension or alteration of a building provided it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building and the ….limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed sites (brownfield land)….” (Paragraph 89)

Comment: Whilst subtle, these changes potentially allow more development to take place in the Green Belt than previously under PPG2, which only permitted essential facilities; limited additions to a dwelling and the development only major existing developed sites in the Green Belt.

No 1: Local planning authorities “.…should normally approve planning applications of change of use to residential uses and any associated development from commercial buildings (currently in the B use classes) where there is an identified need for additional housing in the area, provided that there are not strong economic reasons why such development would be inappropriate“ (Paragraph 51)

Comment: Whilst this does not give such wide ranging allowances as a change to the Permitted Development Rights would, it does, in theory, allow a change from offices and other ‘B’ uses to residential.

Should you require further advice on the NPPF please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0121 693 8900 or email info@brookesmithplanning.com

The NPPF can be found at the: Communities and Local Government website

She will officially take up the position in July this year, with a view of becoming President in 2014

The award recognises the diversity of the planning consultancy sector and the variety of work involved. All types of planning consultancy activity and businesses were eligible to be proposed, with the shortlisted Practices chosen for the contribution made by the consultants to better planning practice across the UK and Ireland.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The plans below are second stage draft plans and have taken into account the comments made so far. The ground floor is proposed as a mixture of residential and community areas, whilst the upper floors of the proposed development are predominately residential. It is important to understand that these are still draft and are subject to Planners’ comments and the outcome of the Public Consultation exercise currently being undertaken:

• Annotated Ground Floor Consultation Drawing
• Ground Floor Plan
• Ground Floor Plan – Community Area Enlarged
• Lower Ground Floor Plan
• Lower Ground, First and Second Floor Plans
• Indicative High Street (Library Entrance) Elevation (5MB)
• Indicative Library Elevation (5MB)
• Indicative Park Lane Elevation (5MB)
• Cross Sections & Elevations
• Draft Landscape Masterplan

The plans above are indicative and are available to widen the scheme for comment to the general public in the area.

Please note that these plans are initial proposals and are still being developed, whilst consultation with the Planning Authority and other statutory bodies, including those above and those who would occupy the community facilities is still being undertaken.

Further information with regards to the scheme can be found in the below text, whilst answers to frequently asked questions during the first stage of the consultation exercise are attached:

• Consultation FAQ
• Site Analysis (5MB)
• Photographs of Area (4MB)

What is Extra Care Housing?

With the number older residents in Warwickshire set to rise, such housing is designed with the needs of older person (over 55 years) in mind. It provides varying levels of care and support whilst allowing all residents within the development to maintain their independence.

People who live in Extra Care Housing have their own self-contained homes with their own front doors. It is often a popular choice as it offers significant advantages for older people who wish to maintain their independence in a housing environment, whilst having access to care and support services and a range of facilities and activities.

Proposed Community Facilities

As well as providing apartments for both rent and sale, the scheme will also include a new café/bistro together with other facilities which would allow complementary services to operate from the building. All will be available for use by the wider community of Southam.

As part of the redevelopment, a new enlarged library, community facilities, Council One Stop Shop and neighbourhood police facility are to be provided. The new library will create a modern facility providing improved accommodation and facilities. Whilst an improved One Stop Shop will also be created enabling residents to access and deal with Council business in one place.

Orbit is committed to providing Extra Care for the people of Southam and surrounding areas, where the need for this has been identified.  The additional shared community spaces, including the Library and Police Safe Neighbourhood Office are designed to energise and improve the town centre.

To date, we have received a number of comments in respect of the inclusion of the Cardall Collection. Work is being done to accommodate this, with permanent free storage space for the collection being proposed at St Wulstan Court (Daventry Road, Southam), together with permanent display and exhibition space within the proposed new build. Discussions relating to this element remain ongoing.

Working Together

The scheme is being developed jointly with Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, Stratford District Council and Southam Town Council.

All these bodies are actively involved in the formation of the scheme and support the aims and ambitions of the development.

All parties consider it essential that the site is redeveloped in a way that makes the best use of the land, while ensuring that it is an asset to the town. As such as many trees on the site are to be kept whilst large areas of open space are to be retained, providing both formal and informal leisure space.

TOWN RESIDENTS VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT

Should you wish to comment on the current draft proposals you can email: consultation@brookesmithplanning.com

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Having received a Commendation Honour at last years awards, we are delighted to announce that Brooke Smith Planning, is again one of the finalist for the RTPI ‘Small Planning Consultancy of the Year Award’.

The award recognises the diversity of the planning consultancy sector and the variety of work involved. All types of planning consultancy activity and businesses were eligible to be proposed, with the shortlisted Practices chosen for the contribution made by the consultants to better planning practice across the UK and Ireland.

The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 23 February at the London Lancaster hotel.

The Practice has been advising the developer (Cathelco) and a very experienced development team including Latham Architects based in Derby and Knight Frank’s Milton Keynes office and earlier this Autumn submitted outline proposals to the Peak National Park Planning Authority. While with all such cases, there is some local concern, the case is to proceed to Planning Committee on the 3rd January 2012 with a recommendation of approval.

Hundreds of runners donned Santa suits and ran, or in some cases walked!, the five miles around the southern shores Carsington Reservoir in the Peak District.  It was all in the name of charity – in this case for Rainbows – a well deserving children’s charity based in Derby.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

From all of us at Brooke Smith Planning.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENT

This will take place at Southam Library (High Street, Southam, Leamington Spa CV47 0HB) on:

• Tuesday 21st February 2012 between 3pm and 7pm and
• Saturday 25th February 2012 between 10am and 1pm.

What is Extra Care Housing?

With the number older residents in Warwickshire set to rise, such housing is designed with the needs of older person (over 55 years) in mind. It provides varying levels of care and support whilst allowing all residents within the development to maintain their independence.

People who live in Extra Care Housing have their own self-contained homes with their own front doors. It is often a popular choice as it offers significant advantages for older people who wish to maintain their independence in a housing environment, whilst having access to care and support services and a range of facilities and activities.

Proposed Community Facilities

As well as providing apartments for both rent and sale, the scheme will also include a new café/bistro together with other facilities which would allow complementary services to operate from the building. All will be available for use by the wider community of Southam.

As part of the redevelopment, a new library, community facilities, Council One Stop Shop and neighbourhood police facility are to be provided. The new library will create a modern facility providing improved accommodation and facilities. Whilst an improved One Stop Shop will also be created enabling residents to access and deal with Council business in one place.

Orbit is committed to providing Extra Care for the people of Southam and surrounding areas, where the need for this has been identified.  The additional shared community spaces, including the Library and Police Safe Neighbourhood Office are designed to energise and improve the town centre.

To date, we have received a number of comments in respect of the inclusion of the Cardall Collection. Work is being done to accommodate this, but it will need to be a realistic use of shared space.

Working Together

The scheme is being developed jointly with Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, Stratford District Council and Southam Town Council.

All these bodies are actively involved in the formation of the scheme and support the aims and ambitions of the development.

All parties consider it essential that the site is redeveloped in a way that makes the best use of the land, while ensuring that it is an asset to the town. As such as many trees on the site are to be kept whilst large areas of open space are to be retained, providing both formal and informal leisure space.

TOWN RESIDENTS VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT

The plans displayed are initial draft plans aimed at keeping residents of Southam up to date with the progress of the proposals.

In addition to the ground floor plan, the upper floors of the proposed development, which are predominately residential units, are now available below. It is important to understand that these are aspirational plans and are subject to Planners’ comments and the outcome of the Public Consultation. It may not be possible to accommodate everyone’s

• Draft Proposed Site Plan
• Draft Proposed 1st and 2nd Floor Plan (Added 18/01/12)

The plans above are indicative and are available to widen the scheme for comment to the general public in the area prior to the consultation event which is to take place in February (dates above). The plans were used as the basis of two design workshops which were open to the Stakeholders involved in the scheme.

Should you wish to comment on the current draft proposals you can email: consultation@brookesmithplanning.com

Please note that these plans are initial proposals and are still being developed, whilst consultation with the Planning Authority and other statutory bodies, including those above and those who would occupy the community facilities is still being undertaken.

PLEASE NOTE: PUBLIC CONSULTATION REGARDING THESE PLANS HAS NOW CLOSED

THE ABOVE / ATTACHED IS THEREFORE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY

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This is available at the Adobe Reader website

Hartlebury Incinerator

Having been retained by the Worcestershire Residents against Incineration and Landfill (WAIL) early in 2011, the Practice has been advising on the best case to present in objection to the incineration proposals by Mercia Waste which, if approved would sit in the Green Belt very close to the historic village of Hartlebury.

The case, not surprisingly was ‘called in’ the by the Secretary of State and the subsequent Public Inquiry was held at the end of November 2011. The Practice advised throughout the proceedings and Louise Brooke Smith stood as expert witness for the 2000 strong local residents group. A decision on the case is expected in the New Year.

Shrewsbury Incinerator

The Practice was also retained by Shrewsbury Town Council to advise on the incinerator proposals for the history Battlefield site in Shrewsbury. Further to refusal of permission by Shropshire Council, a formal submission, prepared by the Practice on behalf of the Town Council  was made to the ensuing Public Inquiry. A decision of the case is expected to be made next Spring.