Firstplan successfully negotiated planning permission for the refurbishment and remodelling of this prominent office building to provide more modern and flexible accommodation for existing and future tenants and to ensure it integrates better into the surrounding townscape. The scheme comprised extensions to the ground and first floors at podium level to provide a double height glazed atrium for multi-functional floorspace and an extended reception area and the refurbishment and recladding of the seven upper floors of the building, including the restoration of the popular sculpture.
The building has attracted new office tenants, which has significantly increased employment opportunities and ensures the long term contribution of the site to the local economy.
30 Park Street is situated within a prime location close to the River Thames and Borough Market. Previously occupied by two storey workshop buildings, the Firstplan team obtained planning consent for the erection of a six storey office building. During the course of construction Firstplan obtained consent for two additional storeys on top of the offices to provide eight flats.
The additional height and scale have maximised the site’s potential and the building is now occupied by a major housing association.
This large warehouse provides an important operational function to the successful operation of Foxtons across London. The continued success of the business has placed greater demands on storage space. In this context, Firstplan secured planning permission for a front extension to the warehouse, bringing the building line closer to Victoria Road. This involved negotiating with the Council to resolve design and highway matters and ensuring that no onerous conditions were placed upon the permission which would unduly restrict the site.
Firstplan was instructed to provide planning advice for a mixed-use regeneration scheme comprising a new local centre, comprising a two-form primary school (420 pupils), a nursery school (60 pupils), a large foodstore, public realm and highway works, following the acquisition of the former Royal Mail Depot, Ascot Road, Watford by Centros.
The site abuts the new Croxley Rail Link Station within Watford’s Western Gateway regeneration area. It was important that the proposals took advantage of the sustainable location associated with this new transport hub, with the prospect of bringing forward an integrated scheme capable of pump-priming the Western Gateway Area and assist in delivering the first stage of the wider regeneration of west Watford.
To this end, Firstplan provided strategic advice and played a lead role in negotiations with the Council. This involved the promotion of the site through the emerging local plan, attending the Watford Core Strategy Examination in Public, and participating in the public exhibition. Firstplan was also responsible for co-ordinating the preparation of a masterplan, preparing supporting planning statements, managing a wider team of specialist consultants, and submitting the planning application.
On the site of a former opencast coal mine, and currently used as a golf course, Birchall Properties plans a unique business and leisure destination to create a major visitor attraction and employer in the Chesterfield area of Derbyshire.
Firstplan handled the planning application for the development – involving 250 woodland lodges; a PGA standard 18 hole golf course with 6 hole practice course, golf academy and driving range, overnight accommodation and an exhibition/conference centre for 2,000 delegates.