Commercial Development in the Countryside

Working on behalf of Stoneledge Plant and Transportation Ltd we gained planning consent for a new headquarters office building, and vehicle maintenance building for the company’s large range of plant and vehicles.

The application site was an old quarry devoid of buildings that had been filled with inert landfill. The site was in a countryside location close to the village of Newbald on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. The site provided an ideal location for the company to operate from because it was on their main transport routes, which allowed them to operate more efficiently.

We advised the client on the planning strategy and the consultant team needed to prepare the planning application. The planning case was argued on the basis that the development would help a longstanding local company to grow and expand, whilst at the same time allowing it to become more efficient and sustainable. The application was supported by a high quality building design, and landscaping scheme along with a detailed transport assessment. The design responded to the rural location of the site and set out to enhance the undeveloped parts of the quarry.

The planning application did not win the support of planning officers due to its rural location, but was nevertheless approved by the Planning Committee against the advice of officers. The Planning Committee recognised the economic benefits of the proposal and the quality of the design.