Julie Bradbury Designs 

“For many years I had considered how best to maximise the potential of our barn known as the Cattle Sheds. Connect Planning Consultancy (CPC) provided me with advice note following a site visit which summarised our options. Until then I hadn’t built up much hope about gaining planning permission because previously when I had approached the council the planning officers had told me it wouldn’t be supported. 

CPC submitted the application quickly, and the neighbours and the Parish Council were consulted. CPC dealt with the council on our behalf and it took about 2 months as I recall. When the council finally granted planning permission I was elated that our plans had been passed particularly given the restrictions to development in conservation areas and Green Belt.

I meet many clients through my interior design business, and I have recommended CPC to several of my clients and friends who encountered planning related issues, and most have also had similar success with schemes receiving planning permission.”

J. Bradbury—Julie Bradbury Designs 

Business Owner

The barn which was formally used as cow sheds sits opposite the dwelling which was also a former barn conversion and forms an attractive courtyard setting with the main farmhouse building. The site is located in the Green Belt and within an Area of High Landscape Value. The barn is connected to a Grade 2 * listed building at the rear and they sit within a Conservation Area which restricts what minor forms of development can be undertaken without planning permission. In planning terms, the location is sensitive. Paragraph 192 of Government policy administered through the NPPF requires that local authorities consider the “desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation”.  Local policy required developments to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area therefore any plans submitted need to demonstrate how they meet the policy requirements.

Vera Gusto

“When we originally discussed the proposals with the council, the officers were inflexible in their requirements which potentially could have reduced the viability of the project. We asked Connect Planning Consultancy to deal with the planning stage of the project. They were professional in their approach and demonstrated their experience in dealing with the council planners. They submitted the applications to the council and negotiated with their planning officer's which helped resolve the council's outstanding resistance to some elements of the scheme and ensured the roof-space could also be converted, providing the right level of accommodation that the business owner's required. The project was delivered on time and the works to the building were successfully implemented. The business at Vero Gusto continues to go from strength to strength.”

I. Sivell - Sivell Engineering

Business Owner

Situated right in the heart of Sheffield city centre just a stone's throw from Sheffield City Hall, the Peace Gardens, and only 100m from the Crucible and Lyceum theatres.  The project required the conversion of the 2 upper floors of the property and the roof space into residential accommodation. This development would enable the owners of the Italian restaurant below to live on site and spend more time together working on the business whilst also having more time as a family. As the buildings are grade 2 listed the design and construction phases had to demonstrate that the application for planning permission and Listed Building Consent would preserve or enhance the special architectural or historic interest of a listed building. The policy background to this is that any application listed building consent needs to be assessed against Section 16 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the relevant policies of the Local Plan and the NPPF. Section 16 of the Act requires that any application should either preserve or enhance the special architectural or historic interest of a listed building.  

Heavy Duty Parts

“I purchased the appeal site in 1998 and operated a motor vehicle parts distribution business from the site for 8 years. Heavy Duty Parts are the UK's largest independent supplier of parts for coaches.  The site was formerly a telephone exchange building that became obsolete with the advance of communications technology. As the business developed the number of employees increased from 6 to 15 as did the number of vehicle movements, many of which were HGV movements and employees’ journey to and from work. We had to relocate the business, so we moved it to more suitable premises to Retford in 2006. The Telephone Exchange building had been empty ever since and had not been used for any commercial purpose and had deteriorated significantly. Significant investment estimated at £50,000 was required to repair water damage to the building and other issues as a suitable occupier has not been found.

We submitted a planning application to the council for a 5 bedroomed family house and supported the scheme with a structural survey as evidence of the condition of the building. Photographs were also provided, and this helped to demonstrate the structural problems of the building which deterred any potential purchaser or tenant of the premises from acquiring it as a commercial site.  Although the site has an Employment policy allocation in the Local Plan I thought the planners would see that employment use would never return to the site. The planning application was submitted in January 2017 to demolish existing building and erect a two-storey dwelling with cellar and erect detached single storey garage which was a resubmission of previous refusal- (16/00442/FUL). When this application was again turned down by the council, we nearly gave up hope, however, the architects had recommended talking to Connect Planning Consultancy about the possibility of fighting the council's decision at appeal. We spoke on the phone and then again at the site visit and I was reassured that we might get a positive result at the 3rd attempt through the appeal route.  Connect planning advised us to seek additional evidence for the appeal in the form of a surveyor's opinion regarding the suitability of the site for employment purposes.

There were some additional delays due to workload and staffing issues at the Planning Inspectorate which was frustrating given the previous challenges we faced. However, our planning consultants fully explained the process and gave us regular feedback. When the appeal decision came through, we were ecstatic. We couldn't believe that finally, after all the hurdles we have faced and, delays we could finally get started on our dream family home. After the result we achieved I would recommend Connect Planning Consultancy who dealt with the planning appeal in very professional and effective way.”

K. Booth - Heavy Duty Parts

Managing Director

The client had lived within the area all his life and most of it at the family home in Hayton for 23 years. He and his wife Martina raised 3 daughters and the family had outgrown the 4 bedroomed house they had purchased in 1994. This property has been extended previously with 2 very restrictive single bedrooms. They had searched for years, locally for suitable dwellings in the area to accommodate his family requirements but has been unsuccessful due to the expensive nature of property in the area and the need to be within a reasonable distance from where the business is based in Retford.  Given the difficulties facing the appellant, he had considered selling the business and relocating to a different area or country if Kevin could not provide a suitable family home within the area. 

L&D Interiors 

“My first introduction to Connect Planning Consultancy (CPC) was through a friend. The council informed us that the deck to the rear of our property needed planning permission. We had followed the planning guidance available online regarding permitted development rights for minor forms of development but unfortunately our deck didn’t comply, much to our surprise. We had heard good reports of CPC helping a friend, so we asked them to come and have a look. They came to visit and explained a bit more about planning regulations and measured the decking area. Shortly after, they produced the plans and submitted the planning application and dealt with all communication with the council officer’s as well. It was quite a stressful time and we worried about the prospect of enforcement action and having to dismantle the whole structure.

However, we needn’t have worried because a few weeks later the council approved the planning application and we have continued to enjoy our family time outdoors on the deck. Since then, we have used CPC to deal with all our planning matters for our corporate site construction projects which includes securing planning permission or a block of 5 apartments in High Green.”

D. Shelley - L&D Interiors 

Managing Director

L&D interiors have successfully completed an impressive portfolio of major UK projects to a widely diverse range of high profile, blue chip client’s in the Construction, Retail and Public sectors. They provide a range of support services including planned and preventative maintenance and total facilities management. L&D Interiors specialise in high quality refurbishment and fitting out. Construction and site development is part of services provided by L & D and therefore clear progression through the planning stage is necessary for successful development schemes.