26th September 2014
Alder King secures outline planning consent for redevelopment of two under used employment sites in Bath and north Bristol
Alder King Planning Consultants have obtained outline planning permission for the redevelopment of two under used employment sites, one a Green Belt site in an AONB near Bath and the other in a protected employment zone at Bradley Stoke in South Gloucestershire.
Acting on behalf of developer Davies Street Bathampton Ltd, Alder King has secured outline planning permission for the residential redevelopment of the former Jewson’s Timber Yard in Bathampton, near Bath. The scheme is for five affordable two and three bedroom houses and 10 four and five bedroom market houses on the five acre site at Tyning Road.
The approval is significant given that the site is in the Green Belt and an AONB, says Dale Evans, partner at Alder King.
“The changes brought about by the National Planning Policy Framework introduces a clear support for the redevelopment of previously developed Green Belt sites and this, alongside the clear visual and character improvements, was very much part of our argument for the redevelopment of the site and agreement with the Case Officer. We are delighted to have secured this permission for our clients and we are now preparing the discharge of conditions and reserved matters applications. Demolition works are expected to start next spring.”
Alder King has also already achieved full planning permission for a new access road to the site, which also facilitates the closure of the nearby level crossing to vehicles, which was a long-standing rail safety concern.
Meanwhile at Bradley Stoke in north Bristol, Alder King, acting on behalf of Wadehurst Investments Ltd, has secured outline planning permission for the redevelopment of Fountains Court, a group of five two-storey office blocks, for an 80 bed care home with eight ‘close care’ apartments.
Following approval of the reserved matters, the approval will allow the office park, in a safeguarded employment area on the north side of Woodlands Lane, to be demolished. The office blocks had remained largely vacant for a number of years and offered little prospect of being occupied as offices but employment protection was an issue for the Council.
Alder King addressed the loss of employment issue with market information and by securing a Prior Notification approval for the change of use of the offices to residential. This was used as a “fall back” as part of the planning strategy for the care facility application.
Dale Evans added: “Neither of these sites were being fully utilised for their existing purposes but the arguments in favour of bringing both sites forward for development were well thought out and presented. Securing planning permission will allow both sites to be redeveloped to provide much-needed housing and care facilities to their local communities.”
Alder King Planning Consultants provide expert and comprehensive planning advice to private and public sector clients, ranging from individual householders and small businesses to national housebuilders, land owners and international companies.