Thorpe Coombe

Following the submission of representations to secure the inclusion of the site within an Area Action Plan being prepared by the Council, Ingleton Wood were instructed to prepare a site wide masterplan. The objective of the masterplan was outline how the site could be developed to provide a high density mixed use development of approximately 100 residential units and a state of the art health care facility.

The presence of listed buildings both on and immediately adjacent to the site, meant that careful consideration had to be given to the layout and scale of the development to ensure it would not cause harm to the identified heritage assets. Consequently, a clear set of design principles was established to inform the subsequent detailed design of the development. Following close consultation with both the Local Planning Authority and English Heritage it was agreed that the design principles should be based on a contemporary approach, which whilst respecting the Listed Buildings, would ensure development was of a sufficient quality to create a landmark building that added legibility and enhanced the site’s location as a gateway to the town centre.

Ingleton Wood were responsible for coordinating, analysing and implementing the advice of specialist consultants to ensure that the proposals were deliverable. A key element of this was the need to engage in pre application discussions to ensure that any issues raised by key stakeholders were understood and addressed in the preparation of the masterplan.

The ability to address the often conflicting requirements was carefully balanced with the client’s aspiration for the development of the new health facility to be funded by the sale of the remainder of the site for residential development. As a result, Ingleton Wood’s Masterplanning Team provided strategic advice on the appropriate form of planning application to suit the client’s aspirations. The team recommended the preparation of a hybrid planning application comprising a full application for the health facility to facilitate early delivery, with the residential element being in outline to provide maximum flexibility, ensuring a wide range of purchasers were attracted to the purchase of the site.

Following completion of the masterplan, Ingleton Wood’s Planning and Architectural Teams were instructed to submit a planning application for the redevelopment of the site. The application is currently awaiting determination. To support the application Ingleton Wood prepared an Energy Efficiency Statement detailing how, in accordance with the London Plan, the proposal would achieve at least a 40% reduction in carbon emissions. In addition, the Practice prepared a BREEAM Assessment that demonstrated that the health centre would achieve a rating of ‘Very Good’.