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.
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