Impressed!
I attach the daily release, three mentions yesterday. I spoke to the Law Society CEO in passing, even he was impressed!
Jonathan Smithers, Partner, CooperBurnett
The politics of planning
Speaking at a recent MacConvilles Surveying event, Scott Marshall, director of this is regeneration ltd and a previous director at Brighton & Hove City Council gave guests the benefit of his experience in the planning applications approval process, saying that applicants need to engage with both the Council and the local community at an early stage to improve the success of applications.
He explained that although planning success in the Brighton and Hove for large schemes can be complex, there are plenty of recent major schemes that have been approved - such as the Jubilee Library regeneration and new mixed-use scheme at Brighton station - proving that it can be done with the right approach.
"A successful scheme begins with extensive research and an understanding of the city and Council's aspirations and requirements," said Scott. "Additionally, actively engaging with the community at the beginning and throughout the planning process is key."
Ensuring the community is involved early on allows for potential issues to be addressed before the application is submitted to the Council. Ideally, a member of the application team should have local knowledge and expertise to help identify any potential issues and opportunities at an early stage. In addition, developers will benefit from a good relationship with the Council's project manager, who can provide advice and insight into the Council's policies.
Scott explained that developers need to consider what the Council is seeking from a development scheme. A combination of open book accounting, support from local associations and pre-application discussions with the local community will assist Council support for a scheme.
Martin Randall, assistant director, development, planning and public protection for Brighton & Hove City Council stepped up to answer questions from guests and identified three major components of a planning application: a well-planned design at proposal stage, sustainable projects and better standards of future homes.
"Houses need to be homes, not just units," he said. "In the future, we want better standards and better sized homes."
Toby Rollestone of MacConvilles hosted the evening was delighted by the positive response to the event.
"Making the challenges of the planning system better understood will help the application process," he said. "Balancing the demands for sustainable designs that last and commercial pressures placed on developers is even more important at this current time."
He added: "We hope that by providing these talks we will help improve design and speed of processing applications for all concerned. We are all grateful for the knowledge shared by Scott and Martin and enjoyed the healthy banter that it created. We aim to continue hosting topical events and look forward to further similar evenings."
Notes to editors:
MacConvilles Surveying - Built Environment Consultants - www.macconvilles.com
- MacConvilles Surveying was established in 1938 and is based in Brighton.
- The firm employs 25 people and provides quantity surveying, project management, building surveying and CDM co-ordinator services to both public and private sector clients.
- MacConvilles Surveying prides itself on delivering a high quality, good value, flexible and constructive service, focused on clients' needs.
- MacConvilles Surveying works with a wide range of clients and projects. Current and previous projects include hospitals, schools, universities, hotels, retail, residential, industrial, restaurants and leisure.
- MacConvilles Surveying holds both the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations.
- Sustainable construction: MacConvilles Surveying can offer a range of services to those requiring compliance with the Code for Sustainable Homes for their residential developments and is currently seeking qualification in BREEAM for commercial and health developments.
- MacConvilles Surveying is an expert in party wall matters, daylight and sunlight planning and rights of light assessments
- MacConvilles Surveying is a founder member of UKBS, a multi-disciplinary property consultancy providing the complete range of property services from 34 locations throughout the UK.
•· this is regeneration ltd - www.thisisregeneration.co.uk. A regeneration company that specialises in supporting the private and public sectors to work together to develop and implement regeneration visions and plans. It provides advice to government departments, local authorities, private sector developers, housing associations, the education, business and cultural sectors. Current clients in the public sector include University of Brighton, Plymouth City Council, University of Sussex, Central Sussex College and City College Brighton & Hove and in the private sector the Cathedral Group, Protodale, the Wilky Group, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club and the Aldridge Foundation.
For more information on this press release, please contact Angela Ward on: 01825 765617 or by email: angela@themarketingeye.com
