Community Consultation Techniques
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...
Office Conversions: permitted development
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...
Neighbourhood Planning Experience
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...
Green Belt Stats
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...
Planning Appeal News: housing land supply
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...
CALA Homes: case conclusion?
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...
New Design Guidance: Building for Life 12
‘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...
Neighbourhood Forum News: Poole Old Town and Hamworthy East
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...
What ECA Planning can do for you
Providing a high quality, personal service to our clients who range from developers and public sector organizations to private individuals and architects, our RTPI Registered consultancy is staffed by experts with extensive experience of working in the public and private sectors. • Planning Applications and Appeals • Development Plan Monitoring (LDF) • Environmental Statements, Design...
The Edridge – 23-storey high-rise apartments design
ECA have been developing architectural and interior designs for this proposed 23-storey, high-rise residential tower in Croydon, London. ECA are the consultant architects on this project, working with the project architects MDR associates. The project was submitted for planning permission by MDR two years previously. The site has since come under the control of a...
Planning Applications and Appeals
ECA routinely prepare and submit planning applications for a variety of proposals, mainly larger redevelopments and unique one-off projects for local developers and individuals. We also act on behalf of local community groups, preparing letters of support or objection to planning applications. With a background in Local Authority Development Control, our planning consultants have an...
Planning Appraisals
The ECA planning team undertake regular planning appraisal work for a variety of clients and sites. We tailor our appraisals to meet the clients’ needs and budgets, and they usually require 1-15 days of work. The emphasis is on interpreting the most recent planning policy relevant to the site (rather than just quoting a ream...
Development Plan Monitoring
ECA-P routinely provide development plan monitoring services, planning guidance and advice to help developers and individuals through the development plan system. We act on behalf of a number of clients in monitoring the progress of development plans, seeking to protect existing interests as well as promoting future development. We offer a full development plan monitoring...
Strategic Sites
Top Real Estates appointed ECA in 2010 to promote a growing portfolio of sites in the South West of England. ECA-P have a number of roles as the lead consultant, including: • Planning Consultancy • Master Planning • Project Management • Public Consultation Work to date has included: • Preparation of extended Planning Appraisals on...
What ECA Regeneration can do for you
We keep up to date with changes in the way regeneration and renewal is funded with our practical hands-on experience of working with a diverse range of groups to achieve their goal – Places for People. • Neighbourhood Development Plans • Community Consultation and Education Programs • Community Funding Applications • Implementation Strategies...
Green Burial Sites
ECA were appointed by KPWG International in 2011 to prepare and submit planning applications for new Green Burial Sites in Borehamwood and Bromley. Both sites are located within the London Green Belt and one is within a Landscape Conservation Area with a local wildlife designation. ECA have managed a team of specialist consultants, including CDS,...
Two Bespoke Houses, Poole
ECA recently obtained planning permission for two quite special houses located in Lower Parkstone (between Poole, Bournemouth and Sandbanks). The client and their family have lived on the site since the existing house was built in the 1930s. But the house is nothing special and has become dilapidated. ECA-P were appointed to produce designs for a...
Community Representation
Martha Covell (ECA-P Director of Planning) spoke on behalf of Vision Group for Poole at the Committee meeting for West Quay Road, Poole, on 2 November 2011. She also provided some invaluable technical advice to the community representatives on how and why the officers’ recommendation for approval could be overturned. The Planning Committee voted 9-1...
Contemporary Addition To Historic Barn
Edwards Covell Architecture and Planning obtained planning permission for a significant addition to an extremely sensitive site in Cheltenham. The site is a 16th century barn adjacent to a Grade 2 listed thatched cottage. The barn is small, barely accommodating two stories and is a simple gable ended structure with many original timbers in the...
Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPG)
The Guidance starts by emphasizing the principles of sustainable development – ‘that the actions we take to meet our needs today must not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own’ – and lulls the conscious objector into a false sense of security. Yet a common theme runs through the guidance, that development...
