Latest News

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.

New Education Centre Approved in Berkshire

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Alliance Planning in Guildford has secured planning permission from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for change of use of a disused office over shops in the High Street in Sunninghill. The office had been empty for more than 12 months and had generated no interest from office occupiers in that time.

The property will now be converted into a Kip McGrath Education Centre (D1 use), which will provide specialist teaching services for children between the ages of 6 and 16, to help them achieve their educational goals. More details can be found at: www.kipmcgrath.co.uk.

The council accepted that the new use would be no more intrusive for neighbours that the previous office use and the 3 car parking spaces could be reserved for staff use only. Parents will drop off their children at the centre or use local public car parks, as well as combining trips with other town centre activities, such as shopping.

For more information please contact Jim Bailey.

Domestic Wind Turbines - Permitted Development in Conservation Areas

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In a move proposed to demonstrate the Government’s Green Credentials, a major exemption has been given to those seeking to erect domestic wind turbines or install solar panels in Conservation Areas. Whilst other land (Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments, National Parks, etc.) are subject to restraint, the Government has specifically allowed microgeneration in Conservation Areas – be prepared for a Localism Backlash, when the good burghers of ‘Little Nestling in the Wolds’ see what’s coming down their street though.

The amendment to Part 40 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order comes into effect on the 1^st December 2011 and allows for the installation and replacement of a single wind turbine on a detached dwelling or a detached building within the curtilage of a dwelling house or a block of flats. The key restriction is that the proposed turbine must be less than 15m high or not protrude more than 3 metres above the highest part of the roof, whichever is the lesser. So there won’t be many wind turbines on detached bungalows then! Other restrictions mean that the wind turbine should not be located on safeguarded land, or within 5 metres of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling house or block of flats. In each case, the sweep of the blade should not exceed 3.8m² the distance between the ground level and the lowest part of the blade will be less than 5 metres.

The new Regulations will also permit stand alone wind turbines that do not exceed 11.1m high to be installed within the curtilage of dwelling houses or block of flats (note the absence of the word detached here) where they meet similar criteria.

What is quite surprising is that although the Regulations restrict wind turbines from Article 1(5) land they specifically exclude land within a Conservation Area, where turbines can be installed providing that they are not installed on a roof slope or wall fronting a highway.

It remains to be seen how many new Microgeneration turbines come forward as a consequence of the amended Regulations.

Localism Bill Update

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Royal Assent has now been announced which means we now have a Localism Act. The final form of the Localism Bill (which will shortly be published as the Localism Act) can be found at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2010-2012/0100/2012100.pdf

Midland Metro Seminar

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday 10^th November, Alliance Planning along with representatives from Centro and Birmingham City Council presented to members of the West Midland’s Young Planners’ group on the Midland Metro Extension which is set to transform public transport in Birmingham City Centre in the coming years.

Emma Evans of Alliance Planning’s Birmingham Office organised the presentation as part of her new role as Vice-Chair of the West Midland’s Young Planners’ group. Alliance Director, Paul Ellingham was also in attendance as Alliance have acted as Centro’s planning consultant for the project. The presentation provided delegates with an update on the scheme, the proposed route which was assisted by state of the art visual modelling and how the proposals tie in with the Birmingham Gateway project and the wider aspirations of the Big City Plan.

The proposed route will run from Snow Hill Station, through the City Centre and stop at Stephenson Street, which will be the new gateway entrance for Birmingham New Street Station. The scheme is one of the three major infrastructure projects within the region with funding for the project secured in early 2011. Alliance Planning are currently working with Centro and their consultant team to work up a planning application for the discharge of the remaining conditions for the route up to Stephenson Street. Construction is anticipated to start in 2013 and the Metro operational by 2015.

Expedition Snowdon!

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Well done to Emma Evans in our Birmingham Office who successfully completed her Snowdon charity walk on Saturday 12^thNovember.

Reaching the summit in just under two and a half hours, Emma was part of a group raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Trust, who between them have raised just short of £1,500.

Well done Emma and thank you to all of her sponsors!

Planning For The Future Seminar

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Alliance Planning Director, Jim Bailey, will be speaking at the 4^th annual Field Seymour Parkes Property Seminar at 4pm on 10^th November at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. He will be speaking about the Localism Bill and the controversial draft National Planning Policy Framework. Other speakers will cover bank lending trends, property law changes and fire safety regulations. The seminar will be attended by professionals from the world of property in the Thames Valley, including house builders, developers, land buyers, surveyors, architects and investors.

Jim Bailey's presentation is attached below:

Lunch with the RTPI President

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

As part of the RTPI Presidents visit to the UK/ Ireland Planning Research Conference, Alliance Planning welcomed Richard Summers (the current President) to the region at a lunch hosted by the Alliance, Birmingham Office. The chair of the West Midlands Young Planners’ group was also in attendance and the article has recently featured in the West Midlands Young Planners’ October newsletter (copy attached).