Another Green Belt success has seen the granting of detailed planning permission at this former munitions factory on the Surrey North Downs.
The reinforced green envelope and associated long term management plan will assist with the integration of the residential development into the local landscape character. DA working with WS Planning and Architecture co-ordinated the landscape planning reports. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2019.
After a lengthy funding process and achieving full planning approval, the new CB Hounslow FC sports centre opened earlier this year. DA working with WS Planning provided the masterplan that includes a new ground and junior playing fields around a central clubhouse with associated parking. The enhanced public footpath network now extends around the local wetland green space, riding and national gym centres. Project supporters included the Football Foundation, Mayor of London and the DCMS.
On behalf of Central Corporation Securities, DA has supported the application for 130 dwellings on land severed by a transport corridor at Theale. The positive reuse of fragmented agricultural land for limited development has been encouraged by the NPPF. The landscape strategy includes a significant ecological wetland zone linking with the nearby Pang Valley together with other connections to local green space and village amenities. DA was recently part of the same successful design team working with BM Architects to win approval for a 325 unit lakeside development for this client.
DA is also working on other masterplanning projects in southern UK.
A long-established equestrian facility is to be relocated and upgraded at the edge of a village Conservation Area. The existing arrangement includes uneconomic listed barn buildings that are to be converted for residential use enabling the provision of a modern purpose-built centre on a local site. The latter has been carefully designed to minimise landscape impact on the setting of the adjacent country park.
DA provided the detailed landscape planning report submissions for both sites including a suitable landscape strategy that addresses the key land management policy issues.
Woodham Lodge was a former cookery school set within mature grounds near Woking. The listed building has now been converted and extended to provide a popular children’s day nursery. DA provided supporting tree and landscape planning advice and is working on other sites for Fennies Ltd across the south with CF Architects.
Alton School is embarking on a major development programme on a south facing heavily wooded site. This will include new teaching, boarding and sports facilities including an indoor tennis centre and 4G pitches. A central social hub will be created around the refurbished Manor House with improved parking all to be set within the managed wooded setting. DA are working with MVL architects on the new masterplan providing the key tree and landscape advice.
A detailed application is anticipated in Spring 2018 with significant construction planned for autumn 2019.
Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park, Conservation Areas and other constrained areas of the southern UK.
On the Hampshire/ Surrey border an application is being submitted for 9 houses on a well-screened, sensitive site near Grayshott. The clustered layout with significant green enclosure is designed to compliment the local settlement pattern. Special care has been taken with tree protection, ecological enhancement and visual impact considerations. DA assisted MCA architects with the formal submission to Waverley BC.
Locating viable employment sites has become an issue for many local authorities. Outside general market economics, DA frequently supports clients to resolve site-specific issues. These include finding sustainable locations that satisfy landscape planning criteria. Design constraints include building scale and siting, visual impact , SUDS drainage, highway and landscape engineering.
DA recently worked with KMN (Alton) Ltd on a proposed extension to an established industrial park where the Town Council is supportive of gateway development.
On a former gravel working near Theale, DA has been a key design team member creating a comprehensive development that enhances the natural assets. The BM architect’s masterplan focuses on the inner lake with a diverse 325 unit housing mix set within a reinforced landscape framework. On behalf of Central Corporation Securities a new lakeside walk will link communal open space including a wooded nature reserve, playspace, formal terraces and public viewing areas. Provision for the local anglers club will continue and footpath /cycle links will connect to the existing village and local amenities.
DA is also working on other masterplanning projects in southern UK.
Old Lodge Place is a desirable apartment conversion on a split level site near Twickenham station. The former commercial property has been refurbished as high quality apartments with communal parking and landscape gardens set within a mature sylvan setting.
A combination of topiary and natural hard landscape finishes integrate the scheme with the local streetscene.
The Metropolitan Green Belt is over 50 years old and the government is therefore reviewing its value in current planning policy. Positive reuse of redundant Green Belt sites is now actively encouraged by Planning Authorities. DA is actively working on a number of these sites including a former munitions factory where the residential proposal utilises the existing topography and landscape envelope. The layout also respects the sensitive local setting and heritage value. Working with WS Planning and Architecture a decision is anticipated on the detailed application on the 9 unit development in early 2017.
Achieving sustained planning success by making special cases in sensitive locations is a feature of the DA project portfolio. The illustration by OSP Architects depicts courtyard replacement development for a redundant agricultural site. The proposal at Stoneham Farm is located at the edge of the North Wessex Downs AONB and is abutted by TPO woodland. Working with Tim North Associates Planning, DA advised on tree protection and landscape strategy. A landscape and woodland management plan was provided together with a visual impact study taking account of the local public footpath network and the topographic sensitivity. Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park, Conservation Areas and other constrained areas in the southern UK.
A former car bodyshop is to be redeveloped for mixed residential development while refurbishing the village shop and enhancing the adjacent River Wey valley margin.
The proposal includes terraced housing with low stone walling and clipped hedging to the streetscape while the rear layout retains the mature tree canopy and local topography. Key design features by MCA Architects include the considered new build massing, form and external finishes that are echoed in the DA landscape treatment. Planning approval was granted in 2016 with phased construction anticipated until 2018.
Pulleyn Transport is an established global transport company operating from its Reading headquarters. An application for new warehousing, offices and parking with entrance improvements has been made to Wokingham BC co-ordinated by Woolf Bond Planning. The illustration by The Harris Partnership Architects shows how the realigned entrance will be enclosed by retained mature trees with skilful ground modelling around the proposed parking. DA provided the tree and landscape planning reports. Subject to full planning approval construction is programmed for completion 2018.
As the government places more emphasis on infrastructure, developments such as motorists’ services will come under the planning spotlight. Achieving the correct balance between commercial viability and acceptable siting, design and external appearance is critical in planning success. Working for Lamron (Holybourne) Ltd, DA advised the design team on the proposed A31 motorists’ services on landscape impact and design through public consultation to full planning submission. The illustration by Fibonacci architects shows a terraced layout set within a reinforced landscape envelope.
DA is also involved in infrastructure projects near Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
The provision of appropriate considered design is essential for successful work in planning conservation areas within the AONB. At a sensitive edge of settlement site in South Oxfordshire DA co-ordinated the preliminary tree, landscape and phase 1 ecological reports for Lytle Associates architects to inform the illustrated 25 unit residential development. Mature boundary tree retention together with suitable highways access were key issues that informed the planning application.
The recently opened Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue Centre represents the latest phase of Faraday Court at Surrey Research Park. DA advised the University of Surrey on the boundary ancient woodland and site tree protection together with detailed landscape planning matters. The next phase of development is pending a suitable tenant agreement.
Achieving sustained planning success by making special cases in sensitive locations is a feature of the DA project portfolio. The illustration by OSP architects depicts courtyard replacement development for an outmoded light industrial site. The proposal was located within the setting of a Grade 2 listed property.
Outline planning approval was granted in July 2015. Working with Tim North Associates Planning, DA advised on tree protection and landscape strategy. A landscape management plan was also provided to integrate the proposal that included new village playing fields.
Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park, conservation areas and other constrained areas of the southern UK
Masterplanning larger scale projects place importance not only on exploiting existing site assets, but also links with the local community. Acting for Inland Homes plc, DA assisted on the redevelopment of a redundant RAF base near Leighton Buzzard. The proposal included 170 units of mixed residential units with a neighbourhood community centre, local park and nature reserve with links to the local footpath and transport network. Working with BM Architects the design included a landscape strategy, detailed design and 5 year management plan. Planning approval was granted in Spring 2015 with phased construction by third parties anticipated until 2018. DA is involved on a number of masterplanning projects including restored gravel workings, mixed leisure and commercial development and a new garden village adjacent SSSI wetland habitat.
The former nurses’ teaching site was rendered surplus as part of the Broadmooor redevelopment programme. Mature trees were a key constraint on this sloping wooded site. DA provided supporting detailed tree protection with landscape proposals for the replacement housing scheme set in the grounds of listed parkland. The scheme for Pye Homes Group was completed in spring 2015.
© 2025 Draffin Associates Ltd. | Privacy
Design: puregraphicdesign
