Alliance Planning Latest News Blog

Novel Approach to Affordable Housing

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Alliance Planning’s Birmingham office, working with client Lone Star Land Ltd have gained planning approval for a highly innovative residential application. Alliance had applied in a single application for 4 large market houses on a rear garden site adjoining but outwith the defined Development Boundary of a Worcestershire village, linked to a second site half a mile distant and currently in use as a farmer’s field, where 9 affordable houses were proposed. Managing the planning arguments for the applicant to ensure the maximum potential RSL funding would be available for the affordable, and demonstrating an absence of a 5 year supply of housing land, the application was recognised as providing significant benefits for the village, and had the support of the Parish Council at planning committee.

Key Birmingham Gateway set for Redevelopment

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The redevelopment of the 1960's Auchinleck House and Five Ways shopping centre in Birmingham has been approved unanimously at planning committee in Birmingham. The BPRA (Business Premises Regeneration Allowance) scheme proposed a major leisure/retail based redevelopment of this key Birmingham Gateway site. This includes the flagship first hotel in Europe for the 4* deluxe Park Regis brand, who have a strong presence in SE Asia. The proposals, designed by 5plus Architects, were highly praised at Committee. The requirement to secure consent in time to access BPRA funding during the current financial year was paramount in the team’s approach, with consent granted on 1^st March 2012, only 5 months after the consultant team were instructed. Full and constructive engagement with the City Council’s planners, Members, and resident and business groups were key to the successful resolution of all of the development’s planning issues well in advance of committee.

Guildford Property Seminar

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Alliance Planning joined forced with TFT (Tuffin Feraby Taylor) and Redwood Finance Group to update property developers and allied professionals on recent and upcoming changes to the property sector, including energy efficiency, funding and planning policy. The event was well attended by circa 100 professionals from the property world in the South East.

Jacqui Allen of TFT presented on changes in legislation that those with a property portfolio need to be aware of, including changes to the energy efficiency requirements for properties that landlords are aiming to let out. Jacqui also discussed the Energy Act requirements and R22 Refridgerant issues and changes in statue that are driven by the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Jacqui gave examples of how these requirements are being met in practical terms on current projects.

Nigel Robinson of Redwood Finance Group provided an overview of the banking sector, property development and investment finance at the current time. He outlined some of the reasons why developers are struggling to obtain finance for their developments as banks continue to prioritise their own recapitalisation over lending to businesses. Nigel set out examples of projects that had been struggling to secure finance, until the Redwood Finance Group had been successful in obtaining funding on their behalf.

Alliance Planning's Andy Stallan summarised the changes to the planning system including the Planning for Growth Agenda and publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework, which the Government wishes to use to speed up development. This states that the default answer to development should be ‘yes’ wherever possible. The most important findings of the recent report by the CLG Select Committee in response to the draft NPPF were outlined. Andy also set out the main provisions of the Localism Act that now apply or will apply in the near future. Some notable changes to the planning system include greater freedom for Councillors to express views on a planning proposal before it reaches the planning committee and the introduction of provisions for local communities to establish Neighbourhood Plans. In addition, the implications of CIL were discussed. The full impact of the Localism Act will take a while to work through, but the implications for the planning system will be significant. Andy's presentation is attached below.

The event was followed by a lively Question and Answer session and a chance to network over a glass of wine.