Obtaining planning approval for new developments or new uses is very important, both to allow the business to operate and when selling the business. Legislation increases whichever government is in power and in a relatively small island with a high population density and increasing formation of households there is bound to be a rise in the requirement for ever better planning to maximise the best use of our limited land resources. Professional negotiation is critical to establish in an atmosphere without emotion what the Local Authority is seeking and to come up with constructive solutions to meet the economic requirements of the developer or applicant. There is often no need for a conflict situation to develop as it is in everyone's interest that a good development solution is arrived at. There may well be occasions where the fears of a Local Authority can be met by our skilled staff redrafting or refining the application to meet the requirements of the Local Planning Authority whilst maintaining the needs of the applicant.

We are skilled not only at the negotiation stage but in submitting the planning application and the all important monitoring of that application as it is handled by the Local Planning Authority up to going to the relevant committee for a decision. Where additional information is required we can supply this to the Local Authority and this may take the form of written documentation, additional planning or other studies, or changes to the design or layout of the development. Equally important is checking on the conditions attached to the approval and ensuring that these are satisfactory from all points of view. In cases where companies or individuals have been unaware of the need for planning approval and have carried out development without the necessary approvals we can help gain Certificates of Lawful Established Use or if necessary negotiate with authorities where enforcement notices have been issued.

In cases where no agreement can be made between an applicant or a developer and the Local Planning Authority by virtue of insurmountable differences in interpretation of planning policy, or perhaps the views of the elected members being in conflict with those of the professional officers, then an appeal may be necessary. We are expert in putting together appeal documentation. We have considerable experience in the briefing of the necessary sub-consultants which may be required and in assembling the correct team to efficiently lodge an appeal.

It is never possible to say whether a development will or will not gain planning approval but we are candid with enquiries at the earliest stage as to the considerations which a Local Planning Authority would take into account and hence the range of possibilities which are open to an applicant or developer. We provide a full UK service on Town Planning. Please contact our Planning Directors, Helen Scott or Chris Primett, on 01905 726353 for more information.

Malcolm Scott Consultants Ltd has gained planning permission for the ambitious redevelopment of Redfields Garden Centre after considered and lengthy negotiation with the Local Planning Authority. Landscape proposals and a Retail Impact Assessment prepared by Malcolm Scott Consultants Ltd were pivotal in gaining the planning permission. 

• The major new Garden Centre development provides fundamentally improved facilities on an efficiently planned reduced site.
• The Garden Centre building floor-space will nearly double in size to 6,000m².
• The Covered Open-Sided Canopies (1,360m²) will link directly onto the main garden centre building, in place of the current separate location.
• There will be a new compact open plant sales area.
• There will be 341 car parking spaces.
• The redevelopment will release over one hectare of land.
• The existing ageing buildings will be replaced by a new elegant, symmetrically designed building with a softer building form using a curved roof pattern to assimilate it better into the site.
• Sympathetic landscape proposals including the planting of 67 native trees will enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
• Highly sustainable measures will include a thermally efficient building with low-pressure under-floor heating by gas-fired condensing boilers, solar hot water collectors on the south-facing roof elements providing hot water for kitchens and toilets, and water collecting and storage systems for irrigation in the plant sales areas.
• New showers and changing facilities will be provided for the 120 staff to encourage sustainable travel to and from the garden centre.
• Improved storage and distribution facilities will support home delivery and internet shopping services.

Redfields Garden Centre owner Malcolm Goater confirms: “The new centre will be more attractive and environmentally friendly than the current one and will safeguard the jobs of 120 staff, as well as creating 6 new full-time jobs.  This ensures the future of the garden centre and its staff.” It is anticipated that work will commence in autumn 2009, following completion of the s.106 Agreement and Staff Travel Plan. The final phase is due for completion in spring 2011.

Our perspectives show Redfields Garden Centre with implemented proposals.