Graham + Sibbald provided Planning consultancy services to Taylor Wimpey West Scotland in relation to a Major-scale proposal to deliver a residential development in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire.
The site comprises of greenfield agricultural land that was outwith the settlement boundary in the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan (adopted May 2014).
The site was initially promoted by G+S through the Local Development Plan process to establish the principle of residential use. Once there was confidence that the site was to be allocated in the forthcoming Plan, the client and G+S moved to submit a detailed planning application. G+S also submitted a request for screening of the site to determine the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment.
The application process required input from a number of external consultants. G+S co-ordinated their input to the application process, including specialist input on transportation, ecology, design + access, landscape impact, health, and drainage. The process also required a public consultation event which G+S organised and attended in order to gather public feedback on the proposed development.
The site was allocated for residential development in the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 2 (adopted November 2019) and detailed Planning consent was granted in December 2019.
With offices in Ayr and Kilmarnock, G+S has experience of delivering planning consents in Ayrshire and engaging with the Local Authorities. Our experience of working on housing proposals and with housebuilders in the past was of great benefit in helping to form the planning strategy and approach to this project.
Approach
- Preparation and submission of representations to Main Issues Report and Proposed Plan consultations
- Project management of technical input from consultants
- Early and frequent engagement with the Council throughout the process
- Consultation with local residents, Local Ward Councillors, and Community Councils
- Liaising with Planning Officer
- Preparation of Planning Statement and Pre-Application Consultation Report
- Submission of Environmental Impact Assessment Screening request
Key Challenges
The project timescales were designed to coincide with the Local Development Plan process, and the early stages of the proposal focussed on securing the allocation of the site for residential development. As the Plan progressed, the Council’s favourability to this allocation became clear, and the focus shifted to the Planning application.
This meant the proposal had a dual-focus, with both the promotion of the site in the Local Development Plan and the Planning application running simultaneously. These aspects of the development concluded at a similar time, with the application being approved within one week of the Plan being adopted.
This dual-process approach was helped by frequent interaction with an engaged and supportive Local Authority. Regular meetings were held with North Ayrshire Council Planning department who provided input and feedback on the proposed development at various stages of the design and application process, which allowed the promotion of the site and the Planning Application to run smoothly and be determined timeously.
Results
In line with Scottish Government regulations, the proposal required a public engagement event to allow local residents to learn about the development and put forward their views on the plans.
G+S organised an exhibition and attended the event to participate in providing information to the public and gather feedback. Local Ward Councillors and the Community Council were also invited to the event in order to enhance political engagement.
The proposal was allocated as a residential development site in the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 2, and was subsequently granted detailed Planning Permission at committee in December 2019.
Key Message
G+S has the knowledge, expertise, and capability to devise an effective planning strategy, co-ordinate a project team, undertake stakeholder engagement to successfully obtain planning consent for large scale Planning proposals, and promote development land through the plan-making process.
