50 Megawatts of Solar Energy!

We are pleased to have helped secure planning permission on behalf of Clearstone Energy for a 49.9MW Solar Farm and Battery Storage facilities at Chosley Farm, near Odiham, Hampshire, over 110 hectares.

The application was decided by Hart District Council’s Planning Committee last week, with our suite of supporting Ecological, Arboricultural and Landscape information forming a significant part of the application documents.

We’ve been working on this project since early 2020 alongside DLP Planning Ltd, and despite a number of objections relating to landscape, visual and ecological impacts the committee decided in favor of the proposals.

A comprehensive Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) was prepared to demonstrate that impacts on the surrounding landscape and visual receptors were minimised with detailed planting and landscape enhancements proposed.

For Ecology we provided initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), Bat, Breeding Bird, Badger, Botanical and Hedgerow surveys alongside a comprehensive Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), Ecological Management Plan and Biodiversity Enhancement Strategy.

Despite a negative public perception of solar farms the proposals, with the cessation of intensive arable farming (which support very little habitat), delivers more than 40% biodiversity net gain! (BNG)

Spout House Approval !

We’re pleased that we have finally (after three years working on the project!) received approval from Sheffield City Council for the redevelopment of Spout House and its site at Stannington, Sheffield.

As there are a number of ecological, landscape, arboricultural constraints, including protected species, significant level changes and a site wide Tree Preservation Order, we were commissioned to provide a joined up approach. We’ve been working on this project for nearly three years, and

We’ve been working alongside planning consultants Urbana Town Planning and CODA Architecture and we have provided a suite of surveys, reports and design information including mitigation for Badgers, a full tree survey to BS5837:2021 and landscape design with planting information.

King’s Tower Approval

Last week Sheffield City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee voted unanimously to grant permission for King’s Tower.

Kings Tower, which incorporates 206 apartments, over 38 storeys, with commercial at ground floor, will sit alongside Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the former Primark store, overlooking Castle Square.

We’ve been working on this project for 18 months alongside architects Hodder + Partners and planning consultants Crowley Associates Limited.

We have assisted by providing public realm design, including tree planting and sculptural screens to provide wind mitigation. 

Approval for new dwelling in the Peak District National Park

Great news at the end of last week! The Peak District Planning Committee approved our application for a new build dwelling at the site of the former Chestnut Centre animal park near Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Working alongside Peak Architects and Spring Planning we helped to demonstrate that the proposals would have a beneficial landscape and visual impact. 

We prepared a Landscape Masterplan and undertook a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to understand the effects of the development on the landscape and visual resource. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) and a number of viewpoints were assessed. #LVIA

We also prepared a full tree survey #arboriculture and a landscape scheme #landscapearchitecture providing a joined up approach.

Render by Peak Architects

Year Out / Graduate Landscape Architect Job Opportunity

We have an immediate vacancy for a motivated, creative and enthusiastic Year Out / Landscape Architect Graduate who is looking to progress their landscape career.

Our small and friendly team is based in Sheffield and we provide excellent training and experience across a wide variety of landscape project types throughout the country.

The practice is long standing and provides multi-disciplinary consultancy services including ecology, landscape and arboriculture.

We have a wide variety of projects at nationwide locations and our focus is to provide a joined up service incorporating ecology, landscape and arboriculture, from project inception, through planning and delivery on site.

The successful candidate will have good working knowledge of Autocad and Adobe Suite and have strong graphic and presentation skills. Experience of Lumion and Revit would be an advantage although training will be given.

To apply please e-mail mail@weddles.co.uk sending a CV and portfolio.

Applications by 18th September 2020. Earlier applications encouraged.

No third parties or agencies.

Planning Approval for New Homes

We are pleased to hear that Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Planning Committee have voted to approve an application by Taylor Wimpey plc for 157 new homes at Wentworth Way, Dinnington. We worked alongside planning consultants DLP Planning Ltd and JRP Architects to develop the scheme. We prepared a Landscape Masterplan and undertook a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to understand the effects of the development on the landscape and visual resource. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) and a number of viewpoints were assessed.

Environment Bill: Biodiversity Metric ‘Net Gain’

The draft bill includes a new mandatory condition on planning permission requiring the delivery of a 10% biodiversity gain to be applied to every planning permission issued for the development of land in England.

Weddles are experienced in use of the the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric 2.0, and can advise on a joined up approach on how to achieve the 10% biodiversity gain for a proposed development.

Year Out Job Opportunity

We are seeking a motivated, creative and enthusiastic Landscape Architectural Graduate for a ‘Year Out’ placement. We would also consider applications for a Landscape Assistant following a postgraduate course and looking to progress their landscape career.

Our office is based in Sheffield and we provide excellent training and experience across a wide variety of landscape project types throughout the country.

The successful candidate will have good working knowledge of Autocad and Adobe Suite and have strong graphic and presentation skills. Experience of Lumion and Revit would be an advantage although training will be given.

To apply please send a covering letter with a pdf of your CV and portfolio (max 10MB) to mail@weddles.co.uk. Applications by 11th October 2019. Earlier applications encouraged as we aim to appoint sooner.

The Pearl Centre, the latest Grade II Registered Park and Garden

The Pearl Centre, Peterborough has become our first Grade II Registered Park and Garden in March 2019. Link to the listing on Historic England.

Constructed between 1989 and 1992. The listing states ‘Design Interest’ as a key criteria for listing stating: Read more →

‘World Class’ Water Sports Centre receives approval

Weddles supported the planning application for a “world class” water sports park to be built in Long Eaton in the site of a former gravel pit south of the Attenborough Nature Centre. The proposal was granted permission by the Erewash Borough Council planning committee in January 2019, and is expected to be in operation by Summer 2019. Read more →