Blues Success

Bedford Blues Rugby Club have already implemented the consent recently obtained by Woods Hardwick Planning Ltd for new floodlighting columns, part of a double success as we have also gained consent to retain the marquee as an entertainment venue which helps support the Club’s finances.

Recent WHP successes

Appeal allowed to vary conditions on equestrian use of a site in Northamptonshire

Appeal allowed for additional access in Leighton Buzzard

Planning permission secured for children’s nursery in Higham Ferrers

Obtained planning permission for new floodlights for Bedford Rugby Club

Successfully resisted application for designation of a site as a village green in a Bedfordshire village

Secured renewal of a retail consent in Sidcup without having to meet the Council’s recent S106 requirements

Successfully opposed village housing scheme in grounds of a listed building

Sites allocated in Central Beds Site Allocations DPD

Four sites being promoted by Woods Hardwick Planning on behalf of clients have been allocated in Central Bedfordshire Council’s Site Allocations DPD, which was adopted on 14 April 2011.  These include a mixed use scheme at Arlesey of 1,000+ dwellings and 10 ha of employment land, a large housing site in Ampthill and a 15 ha extension to Stratton Business Park in Biggleswade

Delisting of Cottage Secured

The Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport who is responsible for Listed Buildings, has recently agreed to remove a cottage in a north Bedfordshire village from the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, because it has been substantially rebuilt.  The property was largely reconstructed in 1983 before it was listed later the same year

Inspector Reports Central Bedfordshire North Site Allocations DPD is sound

Woods Hardwick Planning has been acting for the promoters of a number of the sites proposed to be allocated in the DPD, including a major mixed use scheme at Arlesey, a large housing site at Ampthill and an extension to Stratton Business Park in Biggleswade.  The Inspector’s verdict is a major milestone in working towards securing the allocation of these sites.  The DPD is now expected to be taken to Central Bedfordshire’s Full Council on 14 April to be ratified by Members before being formally adopted.   

Age Restriction Removed on Appeal

Woods Hardwick Planning were successful recently in getting a S106 Obligation discharged.  The Obligation limited occupation of the client’s property to persons aged 55 or over.  An application to remove the restriction was refused.  Woods Hardwick Planning made a further application and justified the removal of the restriction in the context of the development plan and Government policy.  Members again refused consent.  An Inspector allowed an appeal and awarded costs against the Council for their unreasonable behaviour refusing the application in the absence of any policy support.

Strategic Rail Freight Interchange Appeal Dismissed

The Secretary of State has refused planning permission for 331,000 sq m of rail linked warehousing in the Green Belt at Radlett south of St Albans.  John Hargreaves appeared as expert witness for St Albans Council at the appeal late last year and at a previous appeal in 2008, which was also dismissed.  John said “This was a very difficult case in light of the earlier decision so I am very pleased that the effort put in by the whole team has resulted in this decision”.  .

Qualified team grows

Tim Collie has been elected a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute raising the number of Chartered Town Planners at Woods Hardwick Planning from two to three.  Tim’s election brings with it promotion to Planner in recognition of his efforts.  His casework includes applications, appeals and Local Development Framework representations across a wide range of proposals. 

Bedford River Valley Park

The practice is promoting a 41 ha site at Willlington, Bedford on behalf of a consortium of public, private and charitable landowners for a mixed use scheme comprising employment, education, leisure, including a hotel and a continuing care retirement community. The development would sit within the wider River Valley Park proposed to cover some 868 ha and form a gateway to Bedford. It would provide enabling development for the Olympic sized rowing lake for which we have already obtained planning permission. The development is included for consultation purposes in the Bedford Development Framework Allocations & Designations Plan Consultations Draft, which was published in May 2010.

Mixed use scheme at Arlesey included in Draft Plan

Woods Hardwick Planning is promoting a 74 ha site on land east and west of High Street, Arlesey on behalf of a consortium of public and private sector clients since Mid Bedfordshire Council’s original call for sites in late 2006, making representations at each stage of the process. The site has been included in the Draft Submission Site Allocations DPD and is proposed to be allocated for 1000+ houses, 10 ha of employment land, a relief road, a new lower/primary school and retail services and facilities. The Draft DPD is due to go through an Examination in Public in Autumn 2010 with adoption anticipated in early 2011 if it is determined to be sound.

Residential development at Ampthill proposed to be allocated

14 ha of land south of Ampthill in Bedfordshire is proposed to be allocated for residential development in Central Bedfordshire Council’s Draft Submission Site Allocations, including 5 ha of land promoted by Woods Hardwick Planning on behalf of Connolly Homes. The land was successfully promoted for removal from the Green Belt during the last Local Plan review and was safeguarded to meet future development needs. It is now proposed to be brought forward in the Draft Plan, which is expected to go through an Examination in Public in Autumn this year before being adopted early in 2011.

Garden Grabbing

The Government has changed the definition of previously developed land (brownfield land) so that private residential gardens are excluded, but this does not necessarily prevent their redevelopment. National indicative minimum density has also been abolished, creating opportunities for lower density schemes more in keeping with the character of established residential areas. Woods Hardwick Planning can advise on development potential