The Fisher German Planning team has proved that working with local authority planners holds the key to success in securing planning consents. The team has successfully steered a complex ‘Enabling Development’ through the system to gain permission for three quality residential units in Idridge Hay, Amber Valley, Derbyshire.
The scheme involved rescuing a dilapidated but Listed farmhouse, which would not physically stand another winter, a traditional barn and a smaller outbuilding. The Listed and historic value of the old farmhouse was the driver from the local authority's point of view and this formed a bargaining tool to obtain additional development that would normally be resisted in such a rural location.
In order to make the scheme viable for any developer, there had to be three good sized units each with their own separate access onto the highway. The problem facing a straight conversion was that the size of the outbuilding did not lend itself to form a viable dwelling.
The planners, however, allowed the extension of the outbuilding to form a three bedroom house and a new vehicular access, thus providing a viable scheme for development. The reason for allowing the extension was that it formed ‘Enabling Development’, (ie without the extension and the additional site value, the scheme would have been unviable and the Listed Building would have undoubtedly been lost).
In turn therefore, the planners secured the retention and restoration of a Listed Farmhouse with a long term use, and at the same time the client saw the site value increase considerably, bringing forward a development opportunity in a highly attractive location.
This is a good example of where the Planning team had to ‘think outside the box’ and produced an excellent result for the client.
If you have any similar planning queries, or any other development schemes you want to discuss, please contact Kay Davies on 01530 410824 or email kay.davies@fishergerman.co.uk
