July 2017

DLP (Planning) Ltd (DLP) has secured outline planning permission for a large residential development in the village of Shireoaks, following a Public Inquiry in Bassetlaw in June 2017 on behalf of our clients, the landowners.

The proposed development at Woodend Farm includes the retention of the Farmhouse, the erection of 73 dwellings including 11 affordable homes, provision of a wildlife corridor and the construction of a new access to the site. The site will provide financial contributions to the expansion of St Luke’s School and improvements to the facilities at Shireoaks Marina.

The decision came after the Inspector agreed that the proposals constituted sustainable development and would not result in the coalescence of Shireoaks and Worksop. The provision of a 30m wide wildlife corridor, as well as the permanent physical barrier of the A57 would maintain the separation between the two settlements.

The site, which had become unused and overgrown, was considered by the Inspector to contribute to the supply of housing in the borough. It was established in the Statement of Common Ground that Bassetlaw Council could not demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing land (3.4 years). As such, in line with paragraph 49 of the Framework, the relevant policies for the supply of housing were considered by the Inspector to be out-of-date. While the Inspector found the proposal to have limited conflict with the Neighbourhood Plan, it was in accordance with all other development plan policies.

The importance of the lack of a five-year housing land supply was significant in tipping the balance in favour of the scheme and was considered to outweigh any adverse impacts when assessed against the policies of the Framework as a whole.

DLP (Planning) Ltd (DLP) are pleased to have secured retrospective planning permission for excavation works to facilitate a larger drainage system to serve the Grade II Listed Strafford Arms, a public house located within the Grade 1 listed parkland of Wentworth Castle at Stainborough.

DLP were instructed to submit an application for the works already undertaken after our client was informed that planning permission would be required, and advised to stop work until permission had been obtained. DLP liaised with the local planning authority’s Conservation Officer and project managed the submission of the necessary information which included the relevant drawings, a Heritage and Archaeology Assessment, and a Tree report in support of the application.

The public house has become a popular eatery and with it has increased the need for larger and improved drainage upgraded systems. DLP successfully put forward a case which highlighted the importance of supporting the future business of the pub and ensuring the ongoing maintenance of a listed building, and successfully secured permission from Barnsley Council within our client’s timescales.

DLP Planning are delighted that, as a consequence of its expanding work load, the following new staff have joined the Practice……

Bedford Office

Billy Lloyd, Planner
Ed Norris, Senior Planner,
Lydia Prince, Planner

London Office

Thomas Beard, Planner

Sheffield Office

Matthew Pruce, Planner
Debbie Broad, Senior Planner joining the SPRU team.

DLP Planning Ltd (DLP) has won an appeal for an outbuilding ancillary to the existing residential cottage within the Peak District National Park. The outbuilding was required to accommodate the plant and equipment required to operate the renewable sources of energy being used on the site.

The Local Planning Authority refused the original application due to concerns about the size of the outbuilding and use of materials, which it felt would be harmful to the cottage and wider landscape.

We were instructed to review the reasons for refusal applied by the Local Planning Authority and advise the client on the prospect of success at appeal.

In allowing the appeal the Inspector agreed with the case that DLP put forward that the proposed outbuilding would not be overly large and would be subordinate to the cottage in terms of size and massing. The Inspector also found that the proposed materials would ensure that the proposed outbuilding would not visually compete with the cottage.

This is great news for our client who can continue with her plans to create a self-sufficient dwelling off-grid.

In November 2016, Bassetlaw District Council refused planning permission for a residential development of 73 dwellings in Shireoaks, Worksop. DLP (Planning) Ltd (DLP) lodged an appeal against the refusal of the decision and in June 2017, all evidence was heard at a Public Inquiry at the Council’s offices.

The Strategic Planning & Research Unit (SPRU) of DLP assisted the landowner in providing expert planning evidence at the Inquiry and oversaw the project management of the appeal.

At the Inquiry, the Council defended a single reason for refusal which sought to maintain the distinctive character of Shireoaks by ensuring the village remains physically separate from the urban area of Worksop, and in doing so be consistent with the Shireoaks Neighbourhood Plan. SPRU argued the appeal was fully policy compliant, in that it met the requirements of the policy criteria through the provision of high quality landscaping. This included a 30m wide wildlife corridor along the eastern boundary of the site to maintain a visual separation between the A57 and the village of Shireoaks. It was also argued that the lack of a five year housing land supply tilted the policy balance in favour of, what was agreed by both parties, to be a sustainable location.

The appeal is now being considered by the Inspector and is due to be determined in the coming weeks.

DLP Planning Ltd (DLP) have assisted in securing full planning permission and listed building consent on behalf of Sheffield City Council for a new 3-18 through school at Andover Street, Sheffield following a positive recommendation to grant planning permission from officers to planning committee on 21^st June 2017. In response to the need for more school places in Sheffield, the new school will accommodate 1,400 pupils from nursery age through to sixth form.

The proposed development includes the alteration and refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Former Pye Bank School to accommodate nursery and primary school children. There were a number of challenges associated with meeting modern education and design quality standards within the former school building while retaining the character of the building as an asset of heritage value. Secondary and sixth form students will be accommodated in a new school building on vacant land to the south of Andover Street, which had previously been cleared of housing. The new through school will provide a sports hall and outdoor multi-use games areas which will be made available for use by the local community via a Community Use Agreement.

A community consultation programme was undertaken to inform the local residents of the proposed development and ensure key issues including parking provision and existing recreation facilities were taken into account as part of the evolution of the development. The design, prepared by Race Cottam Associates, will ensure a functional and flexible teaching space and learning environment that is able to adapt to the changing needs of education. A strong design concept which maximises the views to and from the school, creating a strong built edge to the site which is in a number of views from the city centre, has been achieved. The steeply sloping nature of the site required careful consideration for both building design, areas of play, landscaping and for pedestrians and vehicles.

DLP coordinated the submission of the application and were involved in the prepared the Planning Statement and Statement of Community Involvement.