Change of land use in the Thames Gateway

We are acting for a developer in negotiations with the local planning authority on a planning agreement for country park proposals in connection with the grant of planning permission for the conversion of redundant agricultural buildings to residential use. The location is in the Metropolitan Green Belt and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The surrounding land comprised in the estate is in agricultural use and woodland and is designated in the Local Plan as a proposed country park. The council originally opposed the development as being prejudicial to its country park objectives. The proposal in the Planning Agreement is to grant the council an option to acquire an area of over 250 acres at open market value with the benefit of grant assistance. This would allow the land to function as a country park for local residents’ enjoyment. If the council cannot obtain funding for the purchase, a combination of permanent and permissive footpaths will be created to provide more limited public access.

Housing and employment opportunities in North Kent

Bringing to bear the firm’s experience of large-scale residential projects, we are acting for a developer in planning negotiations for the creation of 600+ houses plus employment opportunities in North Kent. The local authority has resolved to grant permission and we are currently negotiating the terms for an agreement for the provision, at the developer’s expense, of major highway improvements and community facilities to serve the development. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recently announced an award of Thames Gateway funding for a number of regeneration initiatives that will also require contributions from private sector developers. One of these initiatives is a new road to relieve Sittingbourne town centre which, when completed, will also improve accessibility to the development. This project will produce a substantial contribution to the river crossing that forms part of the new relief road.

Planning permission for new hospital on parkland

We acted for a local NHS Trust in obtaining outline planning permission for a new District General Hospital to be built in Romford to serve the Havering area of east London, and advised on the possibility of a third party judicial challenge to amendments. The development is to take place on a public park that currently provides recreational facilities on the edge of Romford town centre. As a consequence, and so as to meet the requirements of Sport England, complex arrangements were required in a planning agreement to provide a combination of replacement land on surplus hospital sites and funding for upgrading recreational facilities elsewhere in the Borough. The park was purchased by the Trust but the public will continue to have access for recreational purposes to those parts not required for the development. New play facilities for children have already been provided.