DA assists private landowners to enhance the long term property value as well as exploiting the site character in estate improvements. Projects include listed buildings and grounds where sympathetic restoration is incorporated into the masterplan. The illustration shows a former medieval Chapter House in the grounds of a Sussex Farmhouse that will be refurbished as a family country home.
Achieving sustained planning success by making special cases in sensitive locations is a feature of the DA project portfolio. The illustration depicts farmstead replacement development in the Surrey Hills AONB granted detailed approval Spring 2014. Working with WS Planning and Architecture, DA advised on landscape impact adjacent to a Listed Parkland setting providing a detailed strategy and visualisation with Earth Productions.
A landscape management plan was also provided to integrate the proposal. Completion is anticipated autumn 2015.
Work continues in the Green Belt, South Downs National Park (inset photo), Conservation Areas and other constrained areas of the southern UK.
Edge of settlement locations require careful consideration and balance of natural and built form. Building massing, siting, access and the enhancement of landscape enclosure are reoccurring themes. Frequently DA support an indicative landscape strategy with protected species, tree and visual surveys. Management schemes are then adopted to protect key features and guide development.
DA is working on a number of outline applications in the south of England including the E Sussex example where Green Belt abuts existing settlement.
With the government’s ‘right to buy’ initiative and the latest NPPF planning policy, the need for potential development land to be effectively promoted is essential to win planning support. DA is actively involved on a number of masterplanning sites with public meetings and exhibitions used to engage with the local community. The feedback on environmental issues then informs the most appropriate design.
Current outline planning projects extend from Essex to Gloucestershire including the 120 unit Farnham residential proposal with HR Architects illustrated. DA was part of the successful design team to gain approval for the 74ha site that included 64 new units at Oxlease Farm, near Romsey. This project includes the SSSI former Barge Canal and securing environmental enhancement in the Test Valley.
DA provided supporting tree and landscape reports for the courtyard housing scheme set in the grounds of a Listed Building now converted to mixed use. Space for adequate tree protection was a key constraint for the scheme completed by Aquinna Homes in Spring 2014.
Based around a new transport hub, Sutton Point is a mixed development that demonstrates the Mayor of London’s initiative for sustainable urban regeneration. On a vacant site adjacent Sutton station the proposal will include mixed retail, commercial, leisure and residential space around a new pedestrian plaza.
DA assisted PRC architects in the scheme design and the creation of an exciting and vibrant public realm to bring a sense of place and visual separation from the busy traffic flows. Visitors will have direct access to the new plaza from the proposed Croydon tram link extension. Residents will also benefit from roof gardens in this low energy development. A decision is anticipated on the detailed application made by CNM Estates/ Carrigmay Developments from LB Sutton later in 2013.
DA provided landscape and ecological advice for an unusual residential development at Teddington. On redundant backland space two units are proposed. In order to comply with the strict planning constraints on overlooking and flood risk the design adopts basement living and garden space. Existing brick retaining walls frame the new sunken water features that incorporate grey water recycling. Green roofs and street level tree/ climber planting are also included to enrich biodiversity in this urban environment. Granit architects have co-ordinated the detailed application to LB Richmond on behalf of Petrow Estates.
Faraday Court is the latest phase of development at Surrey Research Park. Detailed planning permission is being sought for two new buildings totalling over 6,000m2 for specialist veterinary and pathology services. The 2ha sloping site is bordered by ancient woodland.
A sustainable low energy design is being prepared including spoil recycling and biodiversity enhancements. DA has supplied landscape and tree management services to the established design team, including HCD architects. The first phase construction is programmed for completion summer 2014.
Meanwhile as neighbouring SSTL expands the University of Surrey anticipates further development on the Research Park.
As British retailing adapts to new markets DA has been instructed on refurbishment programmes in Carlisle and London. Working with St Modwen project management at Edmonton shopping centre and The Co-operative at St Nicholas Retail Park, Carlisle the practice has provided landscape refurbishment strategies to enhance the public realm. Other regional projects extend across the south from Dorset to Kent.
Godstowe School lies in a wooded south facing setting above High Wycombe. The development programme includes a new sports hall, staff parking and outdoor sports facilites in a terraced design. DA advised on tree protection and landscape planning issues.
CB Hounslow United FC has been given the opportunity, subject to planning, to acquire a long term lease at Green Lane, Hounslow. DA have assisted WS Planning with the submission of a comprehensive landscape masterplan integrating a new pavilion, playing fields and parking adjacent a sensitive wetland habitat, riding centre and national gym facility.
DA continues its established links with The University of Surrey and has recently completed the landscape design and special tree protection works for the Kepler Building, SSTL’s new technical facility. The practice has been retained at the Surrey Research Park on a refurbishment programme for the neighbouring Detica IT unit.
On behalf of the building lessee Black Rock UK Property Company remodelling works have been undertaken to the landscape framework to incorporate significant additional parking and other site improvements within the established Park character. DA has also undertaken feasibility studies for environmental improvements on the main University campus pedestrian routes.
The 70 bed Premier Inn scheme at Waterfront Business Park, Fleet, Hampshire has been granted detailed planning permission and construction completion is scheduled for Summer 2013. DA negotiated the detailed landscape approval on this sensitive town gateway site.
On behalf of Lamron Estates (Redhill) Ltd a detailed planning application was submitted for mixed commercial and residential development at this important town centre site near Redhill railway station.
The existing site contains a derelict office building and the proposed design provides a flexible modern working environment and rear residential units around the better boundary trees. A raised south facing landscape courtyard is proposed over basement parking and emphasis has been made on permeable ground finishes for the optimum SUDS rating.
DA supported Fibonacci Architects on the masterplan.
The latest completed scheme for T A Fisher includes courtyard housing development around a refurbishment Listed Farmhouse and mature TPO trees. The scale of the new landscape treatment had to fit the spaces and integrate with the local building/ street pattern. DA is working on other edge of settlement projects with this longstanding client at the Hampshire / Berkshire borders.
Oxlease Farm extends to 74 ha in the Test Valley near Romsey. It is divided by the Romsey Barge Canal designated SSSI with an important wetland habitat to the west.
The landowner is proposing to gift this wetland to the local council for environmental and conservation purposes with improved public access supported by a long term landscape management fund.
A low density 58 unit enabling residential development, Oxlease Gardens, is proposed on former paddocks around existing farm buildings. DA is part of the masterplanning/ EIA team working with Pro-Vision Architects that has presented the scheme at public exhibition before the pre-application submission. A full planning application is anticipated to Test Valley BC later in 2012.
Following the submission of a written appeal DA were part of a successful design team for a discreet courtyard housing redevelopment at Dadford village in Buckinghamshire. The sensitive site lies in an Area of Attractive Landscape and the setting of the nearby Stowe Conservation Area and Grade 1 Stowe Historic Park and Garden.
The inspector commented that ‘the shared courtyard design respected local character, that the contemporary reworking of traditional designs did not detract from local distinctiveness and the siting and landscape design offered filtered views that would over time integrate the proposal with the local environment.’
In central Reading DA have assisted Owens Galliver Architects on two adjacent Listed Building retail conversion schemes beside
The Holybrook, a chalk stream feeding into the Kennet & Avon Canal. New public footbridge links with terraced native & marginal gabion planting have been requested by The Environment Agency.
DA is working on conversion and refurbishment schemes at Pangbourne and Reigate and a new retail site at Chobham.
At Plumpton village East Sussex DA is working on a conversion scheme that includes the replacement of light industrial use with mixed residential and holiday let accommodation. The site lies within the South Downs National Park and is visible from the South Downs Way.
With considered tree protection, a replanted landscape setting and contemporary architecture using local materials the detailed proposal has received strong local support. A detailed application has now been made to Lewes DC with Koru Architects guided by Prospective Planning.
A new £5m extension has been completed at Hillbrow, a private healthcare home at Farnham. DA’s landscape scheme includes open lawn, courtyards, water features, special sitting and meeting areas within managed wooded surroundings.
Residents and their guests will have a sequence of outdoor spaces to explore and enjoy with seasonal and wildlife interest. The scheme has tremendous support from the local health and community groups.
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