Planning permission has been granted for the retention of three dwellings in the Green Belt, in Surrey. The client had converted three buildings to separate houses and enforcement investigations had commenced. We advised in relation to the lawfulness of the case, and then prepared a planning application to argue why permission should be granted for the retention of the dwellings. This was approved by the Planning Committee.

Client: private householder

Planning permission and listed building consent have been granted for the change of use of a redundant church in the Surrey countryside to five flats. The church, which lies in the Green Belt, had been vacant for many years but retained original features. We presented a case for the conversion to flats, with information relating to the historic interest of the building, impact on bats in the church and how the graveyard around the church would be retained. Permission was granted by the local authority.

​Client: private developer

Work has recently been completed on a project for the restoration and extension of a Grade II listed manor in a Cotswold village. The scheme saw renovation of the family house and its grounds, a rear conservatory and a contemporary extension within the former stable yards. The scheme was completed with Studio Indigo, and more details can be seen here.

Client: Private householder
Photo credit: Luke White Photography

We were pleased to attend the opening party for a new development of houses near Bagshot, Surrey. We obtained planning permission for this brownfield redevelopment scheme in the Green Belt, where there were many issues to overcome in order to gain permission under delegated powers.

We recently had success for local residents in objecting to new housing in a village in Oxfordshire, where planning officers had recommended approval but we helped persuade the Planning Committee to refuse. In that project the developer appealed and the appeal was dismissed, on the grounds we had given.
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We have repeated the success for residents: again, an application had been recommended for approval, Councillors refused permission, and the subsequent appeal has been dismissed - and again for the reasons we set out.

This shows how presenting a careful argument based on thorough interpretation of planning policies can make the difference to whether permission is granted or not.

Client: residents' group

We are pleased to have secured planning permission for a very substantial new house, set within extensive landscaped grounds in Surrey's Green Belt. The case was a complex one that involved a series of previous planning permissions and refusals on the land, and issues of ecology and trees.
We presented a submission that demonstrated the new house would accord with the restrictive national and local policies that apply to such areas. The design of the house, by Studio Indigo, was of the highest quality, with new grounds for the house. The application progressed smoothly, and planning permission was granted under Delegated Powers by Planning Officers, which minimised the risk for the client and maximised the potential of the land.

Client: private client

We were asked by a group of residents to help with their objection to a new estate of housing on the edge of their village in Oxfordshire. The planning officers had supported the scheme, but we assisted in persuading Councillors to overturn a recommendation to approve. The developers appealed against the refusal of planning permission and we made further submissions on behalf of residents at the appeal. The Inspector agree with objections, and the appeal was dismissed.

Client: local residents' group

We were approached by a private boarding school who had a need for staff accommodation on their land. The needs of the boarders mean that constant supervision is needed, but being in an area of expensive housing, and set within the Green Belt, led to a serious problem for the school. A previous planning application for accommodation had been refused. We provided a robust submission that demonstrated there were the necessary very special circumstances needed to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, with the case raising issues of the legal rights of the children in the care of the school.
Client: Sunningdale School

The use of land and buildings in the Green Belt for equestrian and livery purposes was questioned by the local planning authority. We were asked to prepare a Certificate of Lawfulness application, and the evidence we gathered and presented demonstrated the lawful situation. The business owner could then continue his activities.

Client: commercial client

We continue our long-standing work with the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, one of the top polo clubs in the country. Permission has been granted for a new pavilion on their No. 1 pitch to enable guests and members to watch matches and for hospitality events. A new access road will serve the pavilion, crossing fields and close to trees in this Green Belt location.

Client: RCBPC