* Image courtesy of (c) Glenn Howells Architects
Cambridge Fire Station
Continuity counts in fire station development
Continuity in a complex project and specialist planning expertise from Beacon Planning both played an important part in securing consent for Cambridge's new fire station and mixed use development at Parkside which was given the go-ahead by the City Council in September 2010.
Beacon Planning was appointed by Grosvenor Developments in December 2009 to secure planning permission to amend the previously consented scheme, this was not the first of the firm's input in to the project.
Beacon had already worked on the Parkside development proposals as heritage consultants, advising the developer on specific aspects of working within a formally defined conservation area adjacent to Cambridge's historic Parker's Piece.
Directors Andy Thompson and Jon Burgess were also involved in securing the original planning permission in May 2007, following a successful public inquiry and before the pair set-up Beacon Planning the following year (2008).
In order to have the time to modify the proposed scheme and address points of possible objection, Beacon Planning negotiated the extension of the time limits of the planning permission and obtained the relevant specialist permissions - conservation area consent – from the City Council in June 2010.
The revised proposals, designed by Glenn Howells Architects, improved the development by modifications to the residential element which included reducing the number of apartments, increasing their size and revising internal layouts and introducing some 3-bedroom properties.
The revised scheme will comprise a new fire station, 99 apartments and a retail unit.
In tandem with work on the application for the new fire station, Beacon also secured permission for temporary relocation of the fire station to Coldham's Lane in the city while the Parkside site is redeveloped.
Ed Skeates, Grosvenor Developments' project director, feels that the continuity of planning advice from one set of planning consultants was crucial in securing permission for development.
He said:
'We knew that changing the approved scheme was likely to be less than straightforward so we were very pleased to be able to call on Beacon's expertise and local knowledge.''Its combination of planning, urban design and conservation expertise - together with an affinity for the project - meant all parties involved in the scheme had a reliable touchstone throughout the whole planning process.'
Work is expected to start on-site in spring 2011.
