Planning

Planning policy defines the approach to planning. It can affect many aspects of our life: where and how we live; our leisure opportunities; where we work; how we travel; and how our economy can prosper. It determines how we protect our environment, our towns, our countryside and natural resources.

Planning is about problem solving: the resolution of a range of potentially conflicting issues. Including the need to provide for economic prosperity, for new homes, factories and offices, the desirability of conserving natural and built environments, reducing the impact on natural resources and improving quality of life.

Planning legislation provides a framework which reflects recognition of the need to balance socially responsible and sustainable development with social progress and economic prosperity. It embodies the principle that development should firstly accord with the development plan but should also take into account all the material considerations.

Planning issues vary widely. From seemingly simple development control problems that may be quickly and satisfactorily resolved through negotiation, often for private clients who may never again be involved in the complexities of the planning process, to the delivery of highly complex development schemes the success of which can have a significant bearing on the delivery of national corporate and social objectives.

 

Profitable Planning has extensive and wide ranging experience in planning for housing employment, commercial, retail and leisure uses as well as a wide spectrum of other forms of development including, the built heritage and natural environment, minerals and waste. We are experienced in addressing the issues affecting both undeveloped greenfield sites as well as the complexities of urban regeneration. We are equally conversant with rural planning issues and those involving and affecting conservation areas and listed buildings.

We also specialise in regional and strategic planning and have a widely recognised expertise in demographic retail and economic impact assessment, which form a basis for planning future needs and the services required to support new development.
In all cases we offer a broad appreciation of the opportunities and constraints presented by strategic potential and development proposals, as well as the financial and environmental implications which are likely to arise.

 

 

Design

Profitable Planning provides an established reputation for high quality design and building solutions. The architectural team provide a full design and supervisory service, ranging from conceptual design through to construction drawings and supervision. In addition the Company has considerable experience of historic buildings and conservation area matters, ranging from pure design to building supervision. The design service has now been expanded to include related skills of urban design and master planning and landscape architecture.

Specialist staff in these areas work closely with planning colleagues and others, so as to provide a focused service and skill base. Delivering good design requires a greater synergy between architecture and planning. Improving, redefining and regenerating the built environment and spaces, and making more efficient use of land and buildings, can be achieved through better design, better design of places, the spaces around buildings and the buildings themselves, which is one of the principle objectives of sustainable development.

We undertake a wide range of project types, working with a diversity of different clients. We do not believe in the imposition of standard solutions and on any project we endeavour to obtain a full understanding of our client’s requirements to enable us to design a scheme which will fully meet their needs. We work closely with fellow professionals and experts in their specific fields related to building performance and finance, and will discuss and arrange comprehensive coordinated teams to suit the particular project.

We are flexible in terms of the route of procurement, either structured around the RIBA Plan of Work or a tailored alternative and we pride ourselves on the ability to build up close associations with clients to understand their requirements whatever the route of instruction. As a result, many Clients have commissioned further buildings from us, and additionally we act for them in an advisory capacity on feasibility studies, preliminary site evaluation, technical input and other related matters.

In all projects, the Company emphasises the importance of the personal relationship with its clients in providing clear advice at the outset of a project, by keeping the client informed of progress at all times, including those occasions where unforeseen events conspire to alter the course of development promotion and, overall, ultimately to secure the most satisfactory outcome in respect of each instruction.

 

3 Dimensional Cad Illustration has developed significantly over recent years and as a result become virtually an inherent part of the normal design process, whether in the creation of block models to illustrate the concept of the scheme and inter-relationships of elements, or the fully worked up photo-realisation of a project, with degrees of presentation in between.

 

This facility enables Clients who may not be able to fully visualise two dimensional drawings, and to appreciate and understand the proposals at an earlier stage. This same presentation enables Planners and lay Committees to assist in the justification of the scheme to a far greater degree, prior to a planning decision. We have the capability to provide this service as part of the in-house design services, or as an additional cost option.
Interior Design is as much a part of the design process as the structure or the appearance of the building. It also covers the refurbishment and upgrading of existing buildings, whether for the same or different uses.

We can also offer a full interior Design Service for all types of facilities including bespoke fittings, fabrics and furnishings and these services can be integrated into the 3 dimensional illustration.

 

 

Transportation

Profitable Planning offer a full range of transportation planning and engineering services, from initial site accessibility appraisals to detail transportation assessments and highway design. We also advise on public and sustainable transport issues, road safety measures, traffic control and management, parking and servicing.

Our transportation specialists ensure that access and transport issues are identified and addressed at the earliest possible stage in the development process. We undertake investigation of the transport implication of all types of development including residential, retail, office, industrial and leisure proposals.

Transport Assessment is the core of our business. We have extensive experience in the preparation and review of transport assessments, which consider the impact of development proposals on the surrounding environment.

Accessibility is a fundamental part of considering the sustainability of development. Providing and encouraging the use of public transport as well as walking and cycling are key factors in gaining planning permission. We are experienced at developing and implementing Travel Plans, which encourage sustainable travel and can provide economic benefits to commercial organisations.

Good highway design will achieve the best balance between efficient use of land and the safety and convenience of all road users. Our road infrastructure designs address specific operational and safety requirements. The relationship between the level of provision for each mode of transport is critical in achieving a balanced and integrated transport network.

Parking and servicing arrangements are vital to the success of any development proposal. Our expertise in the design of parking and servicing facilities, will deliver an efficient and workable solution.

 

 

Environment

Profitable Planning provides expertise and advice in the fields of Strategic Environmental Appraisal (SEA), Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Environment Assessment (EA). It is dedicated to providing clients, both public and private sector, with cost effective solutions to meeting statutory requirements relating to the identification and mitigation of the environmental impact of development projects, policies, programmes and their management.

Strategic Environmental Assessment derives requires the environmental assessment of plans and programmes that are prepared by public authorities or required by regulation.

Sustainability Appraisal is mandatory for development plans prepared by local planning authorities. The process enables local planning authorities to demonstrate that they meet statutory obligations to contribute to achieving sustainable development.

Environmental Assessment is often a complex and exacting process that requires an integrated approach to identifying and assessing impacts irrespective of the scale of the development project.

Profitable Planning have experience in managing and delivering the environmental appraisal of development plans, specifically to the requirements for both SEA and SA.

We also identify the need for EA (screen) and the range (scope) of the work necessary in addressing the potential environmental impacts of development projects. We have broad experience in co-ordinating and managing the many professional inputs often required so as to produce a comprehensive Environmental Statement (ES).