EN-PLAN are ideally placed to provide Planning and Architectural Consultancy assistance to clients in Cannock and the surrounding areas. From inception of the scheme, including drawings and planning/building control applications, through to completion we work on a range of schemes including; barn conversions, office refurbishment, agricultural buildings, new builds and listed buildings, and we pride ourselves on our dynamic and practical approach to planing and development. 

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We have an excellent working relationship with Cannock Chase Council and a full working knowledge of the Planning Policy that covers the planning application process. At present The Local Plan is a development plan document produced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended to help shape the way in which the physical, economic, social and environmental characteristics of Cannock Chase District will change between 2006 and 2028. Local Plan Part 1 brings together the former emerging Core Strategy and Rugeley Town Centre Area Action Plan into one document. The first section of Local Plan Part 1 therefore provides the context and process for setting strategic and development management policy for the District, with the second section providing the more detailed policy context for Rugeley Town Centre. The Local Plan Part 2 will identifies site specific allocations as well as the various standards to be applied in order to help deliver the strategic policy. Part 2 will also help address Birmingham’s housing needs should this be necessary following further evidence gathering, either by identifying further capacity within the plan period or safeguarding land for development beyond the plan period. In addition, Part 2 will safeguard sites for potential development beyond the plan period to help meet future District needs. Part 2 will be informed by a review of the Green Belt to be undertaken in full consultation with stakeholders. Should any further Area Action Plan be considered appropriate for the District this will also be undertaken within Part 2. Local Plan policy will also be elaborated, where justified, by Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD).
Local Plan Part 1 is produced by the Planning Policy Unit of Planning Services at Cannock Chase Council.

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At En-Plan we have a full working knowledge of the above Planning Policy and and adopt a collaborative approach when working with the Council and client to achieve a successful outcome.  Our close working relationships with local authority planning and conservation and building control officers enables us to adapt to fast changing regulations and complete projects in line with clients’ objectives.  We offer a complete range of  planning consultancy and architectural design services. This means we are one of the few companies that can offer a ‘one stop shop’ service from inception to completion and have a proven track record in delivering planning approvals in Cannock.

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To understand the planning policy governing development in Cannock we need to umderstand the spatial context of Cannock and the prblems anmd challenges facing the area. For instancve the Draft Preferred Option Policy CF3 on housing gives a requirement of 5800 net new dwellings for the District 2006-2026. This translates on housing, as an annual build rate of 290 per year reduced from the previous Structure Plan target of 487 per year. The background to this is the policy principle of “Urban Renaissance” aiming to reverse the past trend of net out-migration from the West Midlands Conurbation to areas on its edge like Cannock Chase District.

This proposed level of provision is considered to be appropriate to meet local need, including for affordable housing, subject to the appropriate infrastructure being in place. It is capable of being achieved without the need to make significant changes to Green Belt boundaries.

Cannock Town Centre has also been identified as one of 25 strategic centres in the region which are preferred locations for major retail, leisure and office development. Retail provision set out in policy PA12A Comparison Retail Floorspace Requirements 2006 – 2026 limits growth of Cannock town centre to 25,000m2 for 2006 – 2021 and 10,000m2 for 2021 – 2026. The policy also states that planning permission for developments intended to meet requirements after 2021 should not be granted before 2016.

The Council is currently negotiating a town centre expansion plan in the order of 35,000m2 which is likely to be delivered well within the 2006 – 2021 time period. Development of this scale is needed to enable the centre to improve its relatively weak position and capture more of the retail expenditure available in its catchment area. A town centre with more vitality and greater viability accords with national policy on town centres in national Planning Policy Statement 6 Planning for Town Centres. It also meets the Government policy objective of reducing the need to travel if the community can do more of its shopping locally. Commercial viability analysis indicates that this size of scheme is required to facilitate delivery.

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With the above points in mind there is plenty of opportunity for success in the Planning System in Cannock and En-Plan are experienced in balancing the need for development and growth and the need to proetc the environment and achieve sustainable development. EN-PLAN routinely prepare and submit planning applications for a variety of proposals, ranging from small to medium sized redevelopments to larger development proposals and unique one-off projects for local developers and individuals. With a background in Local Authority Development Control, we have an excellent and up-to-date understanding of planning law and legislation. We also prepare listed building applications and Certificates of Lawfulness and can discuss any planning issues that may be affecting you as a third party.

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Initial work often involves a planning appraisal, which will involve making an assessment of the physical aspects of the site and the relevant planning policies that apply. This background information allows us to develop a set of parameters that assist in the design process. Initially this may often be in sketch form in order to obtain pre-application advice from the local authority. Once we have established agreement relating to principles such as development, design, layout, scale, mass, density and form, we then progress with a formal planning application.

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As part of our service we offer a free no obligation consultation to discuss your proposal as not  all development requires planning permission as some development is allowed, this is called permitted development.  You can find out if you need planning permission on the Government’s Planning Portal website.

 

Our role is to take responsibility. We see securing planning permission as much more than just complying with the relevant planning regulations. We believe in providing clear and concise recommendations, which identifies planning risk and opportunities and is part of a comprehensive analysis of all options for the site in question.

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We have an excellent track record in achieving planning consent and provide our own in house architectural design service.  We can also provide your  with the additional specialist reports required alongside a formal planning application whether that be a Flood Risk Assessment or a Heritage Statement.

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Post planning approval we can assist in discharging planning conditions attached to your permission and thereby speed up the delivery of your development and we can manage your Building Regulations Application and provide the technical detail required for this, thereby giving you approved technical specification with which to build from.

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Please CONTACT us for a FREE initial consultation. We will be happy to assist with any planning and/or architecture related query to progress your project.  Please see our "PROJECTS" page for more examples of the work we have been involved in.

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Further Information

 

Cannock Chase Council Address: Cannock Chase Council, PO Box 28, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 1BG.

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Planing Services email: DevelopmentControl@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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Phone Number: 01543 464485

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