redevelopment

Keeping Busy!!

We have been particularly busy over the last few weeks, completing and submitting three significant planning applications.

Manor Farm, Andover

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Firstly, working with Adrian Barker at Lucid Planning we completed the design proposals for the redevelopment of Manor Farm, nr Andover. We have been employed directly by the site owners on the development of the former farm building site for residential use.

Situated in open countryside between the villages of Monxton and Abbotts Ann this has been a long process which required some innovative thinking to resolve the strategic planning issues. This has also involved extensive negotiation with the Planning Authority at Test Valley and local residents pressure groups. It has been a lengthy project extending over the last 18 months and the application is now heading towards a committee date in the middle of June. Fingers crossed.

The design has been developed in close co-operation with the landscape architect and has played particular regard to the setting and context with the open countryside. The original farmyard buildings have been retained to create a sense of continuity and the shared open space will act as a landscape buffer as well as creating opportunities for allotments and community facilities

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North Brook End House, Steeple Morden

Secondly, by contrast, we have submitted a Full Planning and Listed Building Consent Application for North Brook End House, Steeple Morden. The site overlooks our long-standing project at the neighbouring Stud Farm and is for a private client.

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The work has involved detailed design proposals to reflect the need to respect the historic fabric. We have also involved Cambridge Architectural Research (CAR Ltd) who have prepared the accompanying Heritage Statement.

The proposals are for a two-storey rear extension, which has been carefully integrated with the existing building, as well as internal alterations to create a new en-suite facility. These elements required a great deal of detailed work to ensure they could be satisfactorily implemented without disturbing the existing building fabric.

South Street, Bishops Stortford

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Finally, we have completed the design work on our town centre project in Bishops Stortford. Our client has purchased a former Co-operative Buildingon the corner of South Street and Station Road, which has, frankly, seen better days!!

The existing floors have been re-modelled to suit flexible future uses with an additional floor of residential apartments being added at second floor level. New external treatment to the elevations is proposed in response to the setting of the Conservation Area.

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Detailed massing models have been prepared utilising a 3D base model prepared by Joanna James Ltd. We have inserted our site sketch-up model into the wider context so that the impact can be fully considered.

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Sancerre Barn – Permission Granted – First one of the New Year!!

Forge Design Studio is delighted to confirm that one of the first e-mails received on our return to work in 2019 was confirmation that approval had been granted for the re-modelling and refurbishment of the Barn Conversion at Cold Harbour Farm.

Located in the rural village of Ashwell the commission came from a recommendation from Sarah and Douglas at North Brook End Stud. Always nice to be introduced by an existing client!

The owners had bought the Barn in the knowledge that a substantial amount of work might be needed to turn it into their dream home. We have worked closely with them to create a completely new plan arrangement which will create the type of free-flowing, welcoming contemporary space that they were seeking.

The re-organisation of the existing bedrooms and removal of a long dark corridor together with the new rear extension will substantially improve the arrangement of public living and private spaces. We’ve also opened-up the relationship to the outside garden spaces, both front and back.

We look forward to developing the working drawings and assisting our clients in the procurement and construction of the scheme.

Fast Start to 2017!

Forge Design Studio have completed our first feasibility study of 2017 in support of a competitive bid on a highly prestigious site in the South-East. Working closely with our client we visited the site in the first week of the New Year and drew up several potential development options. After some rapid financial assessments, one option emerged as a clear favourite in terms of viability and architectural response.

Located in a historic parkland setting the main building is a grade I listed building! Formerly used as a public building the structure is held in fond regard by the Local Community and will require a well-considered consultation and planning strategy to bring it forward as a deliverable development.

We undertook a detailed site analysis following a helpful meeting and walk-around the site with the Local Authority Conservation and Design Officer. This understanding directly informed our preferred option which considered all the constraints and influences on the site.

Our client has submitted their final bid, having made the project short list, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a positive start to the New Year.

Forge Design Studio’s Year in Review!

Regeneration Projects

Regeneration of previously developed urban sites remains at the heart of many of our projects. Work has continued on all stages of development across a number of schemes.

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Our first site in Hertford, the Former Waters Garage on North Road has commenced construction work. Whilst we have not remained active on the project, it was sold-on by our client, we are very interested to see the buildings emerge from the site. It has been a complex undertaking for the new owners but it appears the values and interest which is being created will make it a successful development.

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On the opposite side of the road!! …. we have carried out the working drawing programme for 60-68 St Andrew Street. We achieved planning permission in February and have worked with our client on the detailed development of the proposals – utilising our 3D BIM skills during the process. The archaeological investigation which was required as part of the planning conditions has been completed and a start on site is due early in the New Year.

Our largest single regeneration project, at the Former Brewery Site, Portslade is currently going through the planning process. The proposal includes a mixed-use of 50 residential units, in a mixture of new build and conversion, together with a Creative Arts complex providing start-up, low rental employment space. We are in detailed negotiation with the case Officers and are looking forward to a positive outcome early in February

Hertford Pub Crawl!

Former Sun & Harrow
Permission Granted!!

Consent was granted by East Herts District Council, via delegated powers on 28^th November 2016, for the redevelopment of the former Sun and Harrow Public House site in Ware. The scheme provides 8 new build homes in a mixture of sizes and types.

Lengthy negotiations took place with the planners and a scheme was achieved which satisfied all requirements. The proposals complete the street scene and form a marker on the corner which echoes the geometry of the former pub building. The stepped terraces follow the site contours, with all servicing taking place from the front. Semi-private space is created which acts as a buffer to the public realm.

The Local Authority were keen to see the provision of the maximum private garden amenity space and have encouraged us to follow good urban design principles by creating a continuous, active street frontage.

Forge Design Studio are currently actively working another two pub sites involving grade II listed buildings. Both schemes include rationalisation and redevelopment of the pub buildings to create a more viable business through the realisation of the value contained within the associated under-utilised car park and gardens.

Redevelopment of Odyssey Health Club

Following lengthy negotiation with the Local Authority the application for the redevelopment of the Odyssey Health Club site has been resubmitted to the Planning Department. The overall design has retained its original quality whilst reducing the impact on the green belt through adjustments to the scale and massing of the proposals as well as the extent of the land take.

The apartments have been relocated to relate more closely to the existing Health Club buildings and a greater mix of units, including one and a half storey bungalows have been introduced in key locations.

The application is for 70 units together with the re-organisation of all the parking and approaches to the Health Club. The statutory consultation period is underway with a decision expected in Summer 2016.