There has been much speculation about the Governments recent changes to permitted development rights for householders. Aimed at removing red tape and kick starting the building industry in difficult economic times, it is questionable whether allowing larger rear extensions will actually have any impact on the building industry. So whilst planning permission may not be...
ECA have a wide range of experience in consulting the community at different levels. It is important that the techniques used are appropriate to the community and the type of development. For example it is not always appropriate to rely on written English as a means of communicating proposals and ideas. We pride ourselves in...
The Government will be introducing changes to the permitted development rights in 2013. Here is a summary of the changes: Change of use from B1(a) office to C3 residential for the next three years. Some councils will be exempt. A prior approval process will be introduced. Redundant agricultural buildings can be converted to ‘other business...
Eric Pickles announced in January 2013 that planning laws will be relaxed to enable offices to be converted to homes without the need for planning permission. This initiative is hoping to release much needed land for new homes whilst reducing the embarrassing state of the non-prime office market. Local Planning Authorities are able to apply...
Neighborhood Planning is probably the most fundamental change that the planning system has seen since 1947. ECA have a diverse range of experience and skills which is proving ideal in this new area of work. We have a history of partnership working and community engagement in complex regeneration areas, complemented by our experience in fund...
When the Government published the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in 2012, campaigners were relieved to see green belt policy relatively intact despite draft versions of the guidance threatening to dilute this historic land use policy. The reality is somewhat different, as we have seen some very unpredictable appeal decisions relating...
An inspector has allowed an appeal for 130 houses on a greenfield site in Devon, on the grounds that there was a housing supply shortfall in the district as a whole and that the scheme would not prejudice the review of the local plan. What is of interest in this case is that the appellants...
To all: locally in the Dorset and particularly Poole area, to our clients and colleagues in London, Dubai and Qatar. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2012 has been a challenging year for ECA with a frantic frenzy of activity right up until the last. We look forward to working with you all in 2013. ECA...
We are delighted to have helped give a short talk to the architectural students at the Arts University College Bournemouth. Doug Withington (RIBA project Coordinator) talked about all aspects of what the RIBA can do for students nationally and what it does for the whole profession. We (Adam Covell from ECA and Sarah Mitchell from Bright Space Architects) were...
We are extremely keen to see proposals for the future of the beaches at Poole. Currently Poole Borough Council are assessing the future of the beachfront as part of a supplementary planning document (SPD) due to go out to public consultation later this year. The document defines different characteristics for each of the beach areas (Sandbanks = dune landscape, Shore Road = social beach,...
The renovation of Jubilee Gardens, adjacent to The London Eye, was completed in October 2012, after over 10 years in the planning. The end result is a simple understated new public realm which will benefit residents and the thousands of visitors to this park each year. Designed by Landscape Architects West 8, this open space...
Did you know about World Town Planning Day? It was founded in Argentina in 1949 with the aim to advance public and professional interest in planning and create a special day to recognise and promote the role of planning in creating liveable communities. WTPD was revived in 1995 by the International Society of City and...
The ongoing saga of the CALA Homes planning application for 2000 new homes on a greenfield site north of Winchester reached its conclusion yesterday (2 October 2012), when it was announced that Eric Pickles has granted planning permission for the scheme. ECA were appointed by the ‘Save Barton Farm Action Group’ (SBFG) in 2012 to...
‘Cabe at the Design Council’ launched new design guidance in the form of Building for Life 12 in September 2012, which is now the industry standard, endorsed by Government for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods, that local communities, local authorities and developers are invited to use to stimulate conversations about creating good places to live. The...
ECA have enjoyed experiencing the London and Weymouth Olympic venues first hand at full throttle. They were able to comfortably handle many thousands of visitors without their feeling crushed or disorientated. The buildings were on the whole well designed – the Velodrome a particular favourite of ours. The parks spilled over with wild flowers, contained a plethora of complex hidden audio systems and appeared...
Fantastic to see J-class yacht Rainbow in Poole: every bit as beautiful as we imagined.
The first meeting of the proposed Poole Old Town and Hamworthy East Neigbourhood Forum was held on Thursday 5th July 2012. ECA are providing planning advice and supporting the formal establishment of this group and gave a presentation on the background to Neighbourhood Forums, which can be downloaded here LEGISLATION ETC There is much for...
We are pleased to see the completion of a development at Officers Field, Osprey Quay on the edge of the Olympic site. The 58 houses have achieved code level 4 of the BREEAM rating system, which is a real achievement. The development will be used for accommodation during the Olympics then sold individually afterword. Each house is pleasingly simply: its form reading more clearly...
There was a great atmosphere at the formal opening of the rejuvenated Walled Garden at Upton Country Park on 30th June 2012, when the new lawn and intelligent water feature (interactive fountain) were put to the test. It was packed with people of all ages. Like Poole Park, Upton Country Park doesn’t have an overall...
As a business located on Poole High Street, we are sad to read this article (and see for ourselves) about the difficulty in running a business here. The High Street is a gem and it is a shame there are so few useful and thriving shops here. The reinvigoration of the High Street is key to the success of Poole...
