65 Homes Approved in New Mixed Use Development including 55% Affordable Housing
(PRWEB UK) 8 July 2013 -- London Borough of Hackney has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Triangle Volvo site in Stamford Hill N16, in the north-east corner of the borough. Drawing and Planning Ltd (D&P) the company responsible for the design, were instrumental in obtaining consent for the scheme.
The key to securing planning permission was an excellent design which was prepared with the aid of extensive consultation with the local authority. The development will see the provision of 65 new flats including 36 Affordable Housing Units, 760sq.m of retail space and a state of the art, 1760sq.m conference facility.
The project is unique in that it exceeds the requirement for affordable housing and will predominantly consist of large family units to meet the needs of the local Orthodox Jewish community.
Drawing and Planning were instructed by the previous freeholders, after an earlier scheme was considered to be ‘undesirable’ by the Local Planning Authority at it’s initial pre-planning stage.
Drawing and Planning prepared a high quality design featuring contemporary architecture appropriate to the site, while safeguarding the amenity and character of the surrounding properties. The new, redesigned scheme overcame the objections raised in connection with the original design.
The new scheme, started in October 2011, was presented to the local authority in a pre-planning application and was received a rapturously received with positive comments and guidance notes.
Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA), who subsequently acquired the site, specified a design brief to encompass its distinct requirements. From the onset, the design required:
• High quality contemporary Architecture
• Harmonious design, not to distinguish externally between affordable and private units.
• High proportion of family homes for AIHA to reflect the need of the local Orthodox Jewish community
• Maximising light and views for all apartments
• Active frontages at ground level
• Minimising the impact of the new building on neighbouring properties including privacy and daylight
All homes to be designed to achieve:
• London Housing Design Guide Standards or BREAM “very good”.
• Code For Sustainable Homes
• Lifetime Home Standard
Conceptually, the new development would reflect the unique cultural needs of its occupants. For example, the balconies will be staggered to ensure all have a view to the sky, a requirement for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. The development is also set to accommodate the largest kosher food superstore in the UK.
During the consultation phase, D&P and AIHA liaised with the appointed case officer Caroline Ozor, who adopted a pragmatic and sensible approach to the scheme.
Following 2 years of consultation with the Local Planning Authority, an independent design review panel, and a meticulous design strategy, the fate of the scheme was to be decided at a planning committee set for 03 July 2013.
Speaking in favour of the development, Jeremy Stein, of Drawing and Planning said: “the development will provide sustainable redevelopment and a much needed mix of dwellings including new family units to a growing region of Hackney”.
Speaking on behalf on AIHA, Ita Symons remarkably requested that “the education aspect of the S.106 be contributed towards private schools in the borough”.
A frenzied debate then erupted. Labour Councillor, Brain Bell argued that the allocation of S.106 contributions is beyond the jurisdiction of a planning committee and that the matter belonged to the education department.
Councillor Vincent Stops, who was described by Jeremy Stein as “very to the point, a rare charismatic, committee chair” brought order to the hall, returning the focus of the committee to the development.
The six-storey mixed use scheme was unanimously approved by Hackney council’s planning committee on Wednesday. (03/07/13)
Source: (http://www.drawingandplanning.com/)
Jeremy Stein, [email protected], 02082023665, [email protected]
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