Working at tor&co gives me the opportunity to work on a varied range of projects throughout the country. This ranges from alterations to existing retail establishments and industrial estates, major urban developments, and regeneration schemes, to the promotion of new residential sites of over 1,000 dwellings.
Will Charlton
As a Chartered Planner, Will has a considerable amount of experience through working on a diverse size and range of schemes representing a wide range of both private and public sector clients within all sectors.
Working at both District and County level prior to joining private consultancy has provided Will with a good basis and understanding of the politics of planning and the pressures which officers face.
Will’s specialism is the management and undertaking of complex site appraisals and strategies and submission of planning, listed building, and other complex applications from conception through to implementation.
Will's Projects
Billericay
Planning permission was obtained for a 200-dwelling proposal, including 72 affordable units, on land to the south of Billericay in the Basildon green belt. The site was an emerging allocation in the draft local plan before its withdrawal. All technical issues relating to the application were resolved, leaving the principle of development within the green belt as the only issue.
At the appeal, which was held as a public inquiry, we were able to prove that the borough had a housing land supply of less than two years and a persistent shortfall in the delivery of market and affordable homes. tor&co proved that only 2% of the 5-years completions within the borough were affordable. We successfully demonstrated very special circumstances and that these clearly outweighed any harm identified by reason of inappropriateness to the green belt.
Mercedes-Benz Dealerships
Several planning permissions have been obtained to assist the delivery of significant changes to a number of the LSH Auto UK Ltd Mercedes-Benz dealership locations to provide more convenient and improved service to their customers.
With dealerships in Birmingham, Manchester and the surrounding areas, we have provided planning advice to develop new sales and after sales facilities. This has involved preparing and submitting planning applications for the complete redevelopment of existing facilities, including dealerships at Birmingham and Stockport.
More minor applications to allow more flexible working / opening hours and changes to working operations and improvements to facilities / buildings have also been obtained.
Knowsley House
Following the refusal of planning permission for the change of use of a building, tor&co was engaged to take over and progress the proposal through the appeal system. The speculative development for the owner proposed the use of a long-term vacant office building as a hotel.
The application case was developed and further information provided to address the reasons for refusal. This included a claim that sequentially preferable sites were available, and that the proposal would have a negative impact on the town centre.
On balance, the Inspector agreed that the proposal would support the regeneration of the wider area. This would create jobs and skills training for local people, with the range of benefits outlined outweighing any harm in respect of the proposal not passing the sequential test and not maximising the regeneration of the town centre.