Bloomfields secures another new home
After
many years trying to achieve a residential planning permission, the owners of
this Barming property instructed Bloomfields to try and succeed. Working
closely with the architect, Bill Brown, a modest development was agreed and
application submitted with full justification. We are delighted to say that there
is now a happy ending as planning permission has finally been granted
November 2012: New house in Bromley.
Despite an officer recommendation to approve this
development by Prime Folio Architects, Members of Bromley Planning Committee
voted to refuse it. Bloomfields took the matter to appeal on behalf of
the landowner. The Inspector was persuaded by the case advanced and has
given planning permission for the new house, which will make good use of a
vacant piece of land.
School building scoops Kent Design Award which recognises design and building excellence.
Bloomfields were part of the team that obtained planning permission for a replacement school building at Walderslade Primary School.
The innovative design by Clay Architects has provided much needed spacious classrooms, assembly hall, playground and outside learning area on a difficult sloping site.
Winner of Public Buildings - Education sponsored by Kent Construction Focus Group.
October 2012
: Enjoyment of garden can continue.
Diligent research has enabled Bloomfields to successfully prevent enforcement action and obtain two Lawful Development Certificates. These allow the continued use of land as garden by adjoining properties, and the use of a building in one garden as ancillary residential accommodation.
August 2012: Timber racking finally approved.
Well, it took some nine months and a lot of negotiation by Bloomfields in order to finally achieve a positive outcome for Lakeside Timber, based in Medway, to retain racking that had been erected to store timber on site. The long-established company is now able to continue to provide its services to a wide range of customers without worrying about this planning issue.
July 2012:
Empty property given lease of life.
Bloomfields have won an appeal to allow its conversion of these empty premises to be converted into six studio flats with car parking. Following the case put forward by Bloomfields, the inspector concluded the scheme would result in a significant improvement to the visual amenity and character of the area which outweighed the loss of the A2 use.
June 2012: MidKent College refurbishment goes ahead.
Working with CC Studio Architects and Mark Hanton Studio Landscape Architects, Bloomfields gained permission for significant refurbishment works to MidKent College in Maidstone.
These include the demolition of out-dated buildings, the construction of new structures, re-cladding and a complete re-working of external spaces. A separate Advertisment Consent application was also granted for the provision of a light box atop the existing seven storey teaching block. This work will bring the Maidstone campus up to date and provide a much improved learning and teaching experience for students and staff, welcomed by all.
May 2012: Workshop approved at boatyard.
Swale Borough Council has granted planning permission for a new workshop at a boatyard to replace a more temporary structure, that had been the subject of enforcement action. Bloomfields were involved in the Public Inquiry where permission was first given on appeal and the practice also achieved
this latest approval.
April 2012: Room to move.
It may "only" be a dormer extension but it was a long fight to gain planning permission for this Caterham property. Bloomfields became involved with this case over a year ago. The site had a complex planning history with several previous failed attempts to achieve better living accommodation at first floor. Anna adopted a different approach and has achieved a successful outcome.
March 2012: Established business moves to new premises.
Another success for Bloomfields! TKO Kick Boxing Academy was forced to move out of its former premises at vaery short notice A new site was found in a Maidstone Industrial Estate and the pressure was on to achieve a very speedy change of use from industrial to leisure. This was achieved and gives this established business an opportunity to continue to operate in the area to the benefit of both staff and students. The planner at Maidstone Borough Council certainly assisted that process.
February 2012: Certificate of Lawful Use
Bloomfields obtained a Certificate of Lawful Use to allow a local company to continue to use their premises without complying with a condition imposed many years previously.
January 2012: Living in the heart of Tenterden
Planning permission and Listed Building Consent have been obtained for the conversion of the empty first and second floor offices of a Grade II listed building into a two bedroomed flat. The permission for this property, within the heart of Tenterden, will allow full productive use of the building and provide valuable additonal residential accommodation.
September 2011: Draft National Planning Policy Framework
Anna submitted representations during the consultation phase of the above document, on behalf of the General Aviation Awareness Council (GAAC) to protect the interests of General Aviation (GA) throughout the UK.
Bloomfields were part of a team that has won two related appeals on the above site, after a lengthy Public Inquiry. These decisions allowed for the erection of 24 dwellings with associated works and a nature reserve. The remote location is such that there are many landscape and wildlife protection designations on the site, rendering any new development contrary to planning policy. However, the appeals were allowed in order to deliver a 32 hectare nature reserve on the majority of the site, which includes Fowley Island in the Swale estuary. The environmental and ecological significance of this area was considered of such importance that it overrode planning policy considerations. Delivery and management of the nature reserve is therefore an essential element of the overall development.
Bloomfields were the planning consultants acting for Medway Renaissance in obtaining planning permission for two related applications at Chatham Waterfront on previously developed land. Jointly, the proposals comprise a mixed use development of 111 one and two-bed apartments, an 86 bed hotel, approximately 2,000 sq.m of small commercial units plus ancillary car and cycle parking. The plans include landscaping, private amenity spaces and a new riverside walk.
Anna Bloomfield gave evidence as expert planning witness in respect of a Public Inquiry relating to Conyer Creek Marina. The site was the subject of enforcement action as boat repair and construction work had extended onto neighbouring land.
This site had a complex planning history which included approval for the conversion of the former Victoria Inn into two dwellings. Prior to Bloomfields' involvement, works had not been undertaken in accordance with the previous approval. This was of concern as the site lies within a Conservation Area and the details were unacceptable to officers. Matters were made worse by the fact that the previous permission had lapsed. A new planning permission was eventually achieved with Anna acting as a mediator during extensive negotiations. A mutually acceptable compromise solution was finally agreed by both the site owner and the Local Planning Authority. The revised works have now been completed to everyone's satisfaction.
