We worked collaboratively with Quattro Design Architects to guide the project through a complex planning process.

Located at the foot of the Malverns in the AONB, the village of Colwall was educating its children in portacabins after its century-old primary school was damaged beyond repair in floods. The environment was not good for learning and it was costly to the council.

After complications involving competing requirements between the neighbourhood plan design guide and the council’s desired approach, we worked collaboratively with Quattro Design Architects to guide the project through a complex planning process.

We carried out a thorough round of community consultation to ensure local buy-in, resolving problems around the site and the proposed look and feel of the building. This helped us take the application through to successful determination, giving the village a school that it badly needed with a design that was sensitive to the local area.

This was an ultimate grand design to match even the most ambitious dream home project. Working with architect, Richard Parr, we were involved from start to finish of this project nestled in a 150-acre farm in the spectacular Oxfordshire countryside.

The existing Cotswolds farmhouse cottage needed significant upscaling to meet our client’s needs for more space alongside first rate equestrian facilities. The sensitivity of the site, which lies near Chipping Norton, meant we were required to work hard with the project team and planning authority to meet the needs of our family client by making the case for an innovative development.

The result is a bespoke solution to delivering a beautiful 20,000 sq ft home marrying modern construction and traditional craftsmanship.

Collaborating to secure planning permission for a new state-of-the-art medical centre for the village of Ratby, Leicestershire.

McLoughlin Planning was part of a team engaged with West Hart Partnership, collaborating together to secure planning permission for a new state-of-the-art medical centre for the village of Ratby, Leicestershire.

The need for the new practice was driven by the poor standard of the existing surgery facilities and the need to accommodate increasing numbers of patients, the current building is virtually at capacity. The number, size, design and configuration of rooms, corridors and waiting areas, meant that staff are regularly unable to find a suitable room to accommodate services.

We provided the planning policy justification for the new Medical Centre, balancing the need for this essential part of Community infrastructure against planning polices restricting development outside the village settlement boundary. Our work drew heavily on previous experience of dealing with community infrastructure projects, with particular reference to development outside of settlements where development opportunities are limited.

We have recently been successful on application in using PiP to secure Permission in Principle for up to 5 dwellings on the site of a 1960s building last used as a Catholic Church.

Despite the site being located within the settlement boundary for Bourton-on-the-Water, McLoughlin Planning were initially met with resistance from Cotswold District Council to the prospect of redeveloping the brownfield site for a residential use. The building was previously used by the Diocese of Clifton for Catholic services, these were now mainly being conducted from their church in Stow-on-the-Wold, which meant the site was surplus to requirements.

Being faced with a refusal, McLoughlin Planning had to provide additional justification to comply with Policy INF2 which governs the redevelopment of community facilities such as places of worship. We explained that not only was there a suitable alternative venue in a nearby settlement that was more popular with the church’s congregation, but there are similar community facilities in the same planning use class within Bourton-on-the-Water that could perform the same services.

The Council requested a marketing exercise to prove there was no demand for the use of the site, however we successfully argued that this was not a policy requirement, because this only applied to the loss of a shop or pub. Consequently, McLoughlin Planning was able to demonstrate full compliance with Policy INF2 and the application was subsequently permitted.

This example further serves to demonstrate the usefulness of PiP Applications for private clients in providing highly cost-effective solutions to determine the development potential of their land and secure an uplift in value.

If this were a conventional outline or detailed application, upfront costs would have been considerably higher, reflecting the need for more technical work. Whereas, with the PiP process, the costs are largely focused on the planning case for the development, allowing significant savings to be made.

McLoughlin Planning is pleased to have helped a homeowner in the London Borough of Camden in securing planning permission for amendments and improvements to an existing roof terrace space.

The existing property had a centrally located roof outbuilding which housed a staircase leading up to the outdoor space. However, the structure leaked both heat and rain due to historically poor construction. Furthermore, its central location meant the outdoor space could not be used to its full advantage.

As the property is also located in a conservation area, care was taken to ensure the proposal would also find ways to visually reduce its impact on the street scene and support the visual interest of the historically significant surrounding built form.

Working closely with the architect the initial proposal sought to move the stair opening to the southern edge of the building to provide a modern interpretation of the existing outbuilding which would visually reduce its built form and architecturally provide a distinction between the historic and modern built form. The scheme also includes an air source heat pump to help improve the property’s energy efficiency and overall sustainability.

Unfortunately, the Council raised concerns during the application about the overall design and height of the proposed cover and that this would likely be refused. Despite efforts to demonstrate how the structure complied with planning policies and would not result in the alleged harm, the Council’s position remained too far apart from the applicants to reach a suitable comprise on the design presented. However, in the interest of securing planning permission and a functional alternative, we worked with the architect to address the Council’s objections and proposed an amended opening with shared visual similarities to a Velux window. This would also help provide further access to sunlight/daylight internally.

The Council agreed that the amended proposal addressed their concerns and planning permission has now been granted. We are pleased that working proactively with the Council, architect, and the applicant meant a solution could be presented, providing a more aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor space in time for the summer!

Following a lengthy proactive negotiation process with Tewkesbury Borough Council, we are pleased to have secured planning permission for a beautiful new self-build replacement dwelling on the doorstep of Cheltenham Racecourse.

Our client approached us with a planning application which sought to replace a post-war rendered bungalow with a new highly sustainable and beautifully designed 1.5 storey timber cladded family home.

Whilst the Council supported the design and agreed that it was high quality, there was a debate due to the proposed size of the new dwelling versus the existing home and what impact this change would have on the Green Belt and wider countryside. Concern was raised particularly in regard of the increase in ridge height.

Working closely with the applicant, we made a case on how the careful highly sustainable design responded to its context to ensure impact on the Green Belt remained very localised. Furthermore, the introduction of Class AA permitted development rights allowing the extension upwards (in addition to other PD rights), enabled us to demonstrate that the fallback position would result in a proposal which would be larger and result in greater harm than the current scheme.

We also emphasised the Government’s push to support new self-build development which has become an increasingly important planning consideration with recent recommendations coming through the Bacon Review (see our recent article on self-build here https://mplanning.co.uk/news/2…).

Working closely with the case officer it was agreed that the proposal would provide a scheme which would comply with Green Belt policy requirements. Furthermore, working closely with the officer, we were able to reduce the number of planning conditions to help ensure the swift delivery of the development.

This is a great case study on the importance of considering your available fallback positions, including development sites in the Green Belt, and taking the time to adopt a well-considered design approach and planning strategy.

We are delighted that we could be part of the applicant’s journey in securing their new family home and believe it will provide a new attractive addition to the Cheltenham area – particularly for those passing to attend the Cheltenham races!

McLoughlin Planning has been the Planning Consultant for Gloucestershire Airport for several years. As part of this, it has been involved in securing the necessary Consent for Skyborne’s operations allowing them to establish a Commercial Flight Training School at Gloucestershire Airport to meet the global demand for new Commercial Pilots.

The challenges faced by this project were:

• It was necessary to demonstrate that the use of a hangar as a Flight Training School fell within the definition of aviation-related development in the Town & Country Planning General Permitted Development (Order 2015).
• The Flight Training School was to be supported by an accommodation block for students.

The site is situated within the Green Belt where there are stringent planning controls on new development. As part of the company’s activities working on behalf of the Airport in terms of looking after its wider property portfolio, we were able to engineer a suitably positively planning policy context to allow Skyborne’s proposals to come forward as part of non-operational but aviation-related development.

We’re delighted to have secured planning approval for a new state-of-the-art medical centre to provide a new base for the existing St Paul’s Surgery, in St Paul’s Road, Smethwick.

The medical centre includes 10 consulting rooms, five treatment rooms, a Minor Ops suite, staff room, meeting room, central waiting space and administration rooms. Forty parking spaces are to be provided, including three disabled spaces and a drop off and deliveries bay.

Our comprehensive design and access statement commented that “St Paul’s Surgery currently occupies a two storey building that is outdated, under sized and no longer fit for purpose to accommodate the growing patient numbers in Smethwick and the surrounding area.

It is not practical to enhance or extend the existing building, and with limited space there is no ability to meet the increased demand for routine and urgent care.

In order to continue to provide services to all patients the practice must relocate and expand.

By relocating to the new site, patients will benefit from improved privacy and dignity arrangements; a fit for purpose building for the growing practice; patient centred care in a modern, purpose built environment, whilst accommodating the practice’s growing needs; improved disabled access; improvement in staff working conditions; increased car parking provision for both staff and patients; a wider range of enhanced primary care services; and provision of on-site pharmacy services integrated with the practice in terms of working process and delivery.

Services normally provided in a hospital or other local clinics could be provided at the new building freeing up facilities for more specialist procedures and improving healthcare capacity. We have included a Minor Ops suite to support some of these services.

A “pandemic wing” has been included in the surgery, with the option to isolate some rooms from the rest of the building, and with separate access for patients and staff.

There is an established need for St Paul’s surgery to expand. The existing premises are over capacity with no ability to extend.

Providing the surgery with a new, purpose built building, will allow them to not only improve routine clinical services but also offer a wide range of integrated services for patients and local community.

The layout of the building is designed to make it easy to navigate for both patients and staff, while creating a space that is enjoyable to work in and pleasant to visit. The central location of the site is ideal for a new medical centre, with established public transport links.”

McLoughlin Planning was part of a team, assisting in the securing of planning permission for a new medical centre for Stourport.

McLoughlin Planning was part of a team led by West Hart Partnership, assisting in the securing of planning permission for a new state-of-the-art medical centre for Stourport, on behalf of GB Partnerships.

The need for the new practice was driven by the merger of the town’s two doctor’s surgeries. Our services related to providing the planning policy justification for the new Medical Centre, balancing the loss of Public Open Space and the partial location of the site in Flood Zone 2 with the compelling need for a new medical centre in the town. Our work drew heavily on previous experience of reviewing public open provision for the town and government guidance requiring the provision of essential infrastructure.

Construction work began during July 2020 and when completed, will provide a medical centre capable of meeting the needs of 21,500 patients.

Mcloughlin Planning are pleased to have secured planning permission for a new private swimming pool in the grounds of a rural picturesque Cotswold property.

After securing permission for the conversion of agricultural barns to provide a new residential home, our client was looking at ways to enhance the landscaping around their property and provide a private pool for themselves. After initially applying alone to Cotswold District Council, the landowner ran into issues with the Council and had to withdraw the application.

Concerns were raised of the impact of the development on the surrounding countryside (which form part of the AONB), the impact on a nearby Grade I listed church and the character of the area.

Our Associate Director Chris Fleming, worked closely with the client and architects, Portus and Whitton https://portusandwhitton.co.uk…, to consider where best to site the development in light of the immediate site constraints and what the best planning strategy would be moving forward.

Helping the client through the initial pre-application meetings stage with the Council and the subsequent planning application, we were able to ensure the proposal accorded with local planning policies and would respect the historical significance of the nearby Grade I listed church.

Given our long term working relationship with Cotswold District Council, when any questions or queries came to up from the case officer, we were able to quickly respond and liaise with the necessary officers or third party consultants.

We are delighted to have secured planning permission for what will be a visual enhancement to the property and a new recreational space for its occupants.

McLoughlin Planning are delighted to have secured planning permission for change of use from agricultural building to a farm shop for Todenham Manor Farm Shop.

Points of note from this application are the farm shop is to be ancillary to the main business on the premises, there cannot be separate A1 premises and the requirement for secure cycle parking to ensure adequate cycle facilities are provided to meet the requirement for sustainable development, in accordance with Cotswold District Local Plan Policy INF3.

This application poses interesting options to other farmers in Cotswold District, who may be looking for a means of diversifying and having a ready outlet for sales of their own produce.

Working on behalf of EG Carter and Gloucestershire County Council, McLoughlin Planning was part of a team that successfully delivered planning permission for the replacement school building at Warden Hill Primary School in Cheltenham.

Warden Hill Primary School is a two form entry primary school (420 pupils) located in Durham Close, Warden Hill, Cheltenham. The school is rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted and there had been consideration to expand the school to three form entry. The birth data, alongside existing primary provision in the area showed that the expansion was not required. However, the condition of the school buildings was reviewed and it became clear that they were of significant concern. Detailed investigation showed that an extensive maintenance programme would not be an efficient use of resources and it would be better to replace the school buildings.

In November 2020 Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet approved additional funding to replace the existing school buildings.

Warden Hill School’s site is large enough that the new school building can be built, whilst the old school building is still in daily use by staff and pupils. Once the new building is complete, the old school building will be demolished.

McLoughlin Planning was able to demonstrate the planning policy case as to why this development should go ahead, despite the controversial use of playing fields for development. It was demonstrated that using the playing fields for the new school building was necessary and that it allowed the space currently occupied by the old school building to be re-used after it’s demolition as an improved play space for pupils.

There are specific conditions that have to be met to allow such development because of the value we all place on open spaces for our children. This includes Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, that local authorities are required to apply for the consent of the Secretary of State for Education to dispose of, or change the use of, land used for maintained schools and academies and following the guidance from Sport England.

The school has been developed to deliver an exemplar 21^st
century learning space that has been designed to be the most environmentally friendly low carbon primary school in the country. To enable this, it will have high building fabric efficiency, a low carbon heat source using an air source heat pump, on-site electricity generation through PV array, sustainable urban drainage systems and a “Pocket” forest.

Externally, there will be nature areas, playing pitches, daily mile and pump track and external amphitheatre seating for the pupils to enjoy.

We are delighted that ground was broken in November 2021 and that we were able to assist in this exciting project that reflects our continuing involvement with the County Council in the provision of new schools and school buildings.