Rackham Planning

Given that nothing much has happened in the Planning world over the last week or two…. 😆 we thought we’d update you all and say that we’ve moved! We’re now in office space in a business park in Aztec West (i.e. like a proper grown-up company!) Its interesting how being in a different working environment affects the working mindset as well as benefiting from a ‘fresh start’. We’re also looking forward to meeting our neighbours at the Regus office.   Also now working opposite the building where Stuart Rackham worked for Orange 20+years ago has stirred a few memories in him of those halcyon telecom days. The only other thought from the team is the similarity of Aztec West to the Truman Show (The Stuman Show perhaps?) with perfectly planned roads and hedges & soft landscaping manicured every day!   Finally, our Xmas party saw a mix of high-speed racing followed by fine cuisine at PASTURE. As you can see from the leaderboard Stuart Rackham was very pleased to come out triumphant in the go-karting.. even if Will Collins did get the fastest lap. A big thank you to Kevin M., William Springett and Andrew Dennis of Ardent for joining us! 

They say variety is the spice of life. If true then we’re well spiced up here at RP HQ! We’ve been reflecting on the variety of work we’re involved in this month including: - Change of use of agricultural building to commercial in North Somerset; - New commercial buildings to support large employer’s new commercial contract in South Gloucestershire; - Change of use and alterations to Listed Buildings in Swindon; - Strategy review and planning applications for Independent Schools in Bath, Surrey and Hull; - Outdoor pool in events and leisure complex in Wiltshire; - Submission to South Glos Call for Sites for residential allocation on 14 separate sites in emerging Local Plan; - Householder applications in Bristol; - New dwellings in Green Belt in Hertfordshire; and - Extensions on commercial buildings in Hackney! This work is ably managed by the team Ben Comley, Kathryn Wrigley, Will Collins and Stuart Rackham on behalf of lovely clients, supported by specialist sub-consultant colleagues (you know who you all are!) Finally, away from work, Rackham Planning are now the proud sponsor of Thornbury Town Under 8s! We all wish them a very good luck for the season ahead. If you would like to get in touch with any of our team then please do so either through here, via our website or email: [email protected]

During August - the 2nd half of the holiday season 😎 - those in the office, manning the fort here at RP Towers, have been progressing a range of residential, commercial, education, retail and rural related planning applications. Decisions/ progress is slower during this period but there have been successes (a sample of which are below).   Additionally, other things have happened which help to make the job of managing planning applications easier…meetings with planning officers (yes actual physical meetings)! This has unfortunately become more of the exception rather than the rule (especially since COVID), but it is really pleasing to now be having more of these. Also phone calls/ Teams meetings…Yay! 💻 All better than death by email. A site visit and/ or meeting enable all parties to properly see/ discuss the site/ issues. Plus, it ensures Planning Officers realise we consultants are not the ‘two headed monster’ who joined the dark side (!) - we are all from the same Planning Schools working towards delivering good schemes that we can drive past in years to come and proudly say “I was part of that”. 🏗 🏢   On the subject of driving, one of the attractive things about being a consultant is the ability to see the world. Whilst some of these places aren’t glamorous (the back end of an industrial estate in North London being a prime example), recent visits to new sites in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire allow a bit of head space away from the office and also the opportunity to see different parts of the Country. If that isn’t an advert for a career in planning, then we don’t know what is.   As mentioned above, we oversaw some interesting successes this month, including:   Firstly, Working with DuCroz architects, we successfully secured planning permission for a replacement dwelling and outbuilding in the North Wessex Downs AONB in West Berkshire. The permission followed a proactive pre-application process and despite changes of personnel at the Council during the determination process, we successfully secured permission and negotiated conditions to provide a welcome outcome for the applicant.   Next up.. an appeal win! We secured planning permission for a new dwelling in Bristol. After the application was refused by Bristol CC for three reasons relating to design, residential amenity and vehicle access, we were able to overcome all three reasons as the appeal was allowed.   If you would like to get in touch with any of our team then please do so either through here, via our website or through our new dedicated enquires inbox: [email protected] https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7 #planning #bristol #appeal #success #planningconsultant #Rackhamplanning

With half the team away on holiday in July, it’s been a quieter month here in Rackham Planning Towers. However, its always nice whilst away, having made the risky decision to open up an email from the Planning Inspectorate which includes ‘Despatch Cover Letter’ and ‘Decision’ attachments, to see two appeal successes. The first was for BP Pulse in Tower Hamlets. The site is one where RP has had other success, having secured permission at appeal for a dark kitchen and hydroponic farm in 2022. We’ve now secured consent for an EV Charging Station which we’re chuffed with as common sense really has prevailed. Good to work with Phil Clark at bp Pulse and Velocity on this Wai Lan Lie; Steve Foxcroft. The second appeal success related to two sites in Epping Forest town centre where the Council refused two Prior Approval applications under Schedule 2 Part 3 Class G of the GPDO for the use of the upper floors above GF retail units as residential flats. Reassuring comments from the Inspector about the how the ground floor access corridors to the upper floor flats would not be used in whole or in part as a flat. Also reference to a Grampian condition and who doesn’t like one of those on a decision! Great to work with Peter Bloxham of Blox Architects. Finally, its nice to catch up, even briefly, with old friends from previous jobs. Stuart Rackham now knows Paul Williams loves reading these updates! #Planning #Renewable #Energy #Epping #TowerHamlets #EVcharging #Enivronment #Infrastructure

RACKHAM PLANNING RUNNERS SMASH THORNBURY 10K! 🏃♀️ 🏃♂️ ⚡ We had a fantastic time at the Thornbury 10k last Thursday, representing Rackham Planning and joined by our amazing partners! Sporting our personalised RP shirts, we embraced the challenge of the country lanes on a sunny June evening (including a very steep hill to finish!) and had a blast along the way. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the Thornbury 10k a success and well done to Stuart Rackham, Kathryn Wrigley & Ben Comley for their spirit and determination throughout the race. … We won’t reveal who won but we can happily say everyone was proud of their respective times! Here's to more fun and fitness adventures in the future! 💪 https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7 #Thornbury10k #TeamRackhamPlanning #SupportLocalRunningClubs #Rack’emup

Its time for our final entry of our Friday 'get to knows'. This time its our newest recruit Ben Comley! We hope you've enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about our team over June. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates from us very soon! Enjoy! -- Why did you get started in planning?   "I’m going to steal Will Collins answer for this and say playing Sim City games growing up. Beyond that, focusing on sustainable development at university and wanting to learn more about how it could be delivered in reality."   What’s the main difference between working for a larger multi-disciplinary practice compared to a small consultancy?   "Project Management! I certainly don’t miss the endless chasing, phone calls and DTMs that come with larger schemes."   What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?   "You create your own luck."   What is one thing you’d change about planning?   "The worst part about being a planner is very few people outside of the industry know what it is you do. If planning/development was taught a part of the curriculum in schools (be it in geography/business/history/sociology) then you’d get more people interested in the industry from an early age and hopefully in turn you’d start to see an influx of young planners coming through.. It might also help reduce the amount of future NIMBY’s as they’ll know how the system works!"   How do you like to switch off from work?   "Football – be it playing, watching Southampton or coaching my Thornbury under 8’s team."   If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?   "I’ve always wanted to live on the west coast of India."   What’s your go to Karaoke song?   "I think I’ll join the rest of the team and stay well clear of the mic, it’s for the best!"   If Rackham Planning was a car, what would it be and why?   Stuart Rackham isn't going to like this but a Toyota Prius.. we might not be nice to look at but we’re reliable and consistent.   Finally… What’s your favourite cheese?   "Halloumi… can't beat it!" As always, if you'd like to find out more about the work we do at Rackham Planning or have a planning query of your own, please visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7 #Planning #Townplanning #Rackhamplanning #Development #Bristol #Southgloucestershire #QandA

We're back with our third instalment of getting to know the Rackham Planning team! 😀 This week we sat down with our Associate Director Kathryn Wrigley to find out more about her experience in the planning industry; including time spent working as a consultant in Australia! Enjoy! -- Why did you get started in planning? "I think it started with geography teachers at school, field trips into city centres and perhaps a little indecision about a future career! 22 years later I'm still here!!". You used to work as a planning consultant in Australia, what was that like? "Great fun! The planning skills are completely transferable and the Australian planning system has similarities to the UK. I worked on some fabulous projects including the regeneration of part of Sydney Harbourside (now called Barangaroo). The view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the office wasn't too bad either!" You’ve also spent time in your career as a freelance consultant, how did you find it?   "My time as a freelance consultant really served its purpose. It provided me with the flexibility to spend invaluable time with my family when my children were younger, whilst still keeping my brain working and keeping me out of mischief! The only downside was the lack of office buddies to chat to and bounce ideas off which I find so beneficial when honing planning advice." What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?   "Smiles are contagious!" What is one thing you’d change about planning? "One thing....impossible question!! Don't get me started! An easy thing to change on a day to day level is encouraging more conversation and fewer emails. The value of a conservation often saves so much time, energy and stress."    How do you like to switch off from work? "Long dog walk (preferably in the sunshine)!"   One thing you couldn’t live without? "Coffee, definitely coffee, oh and Cremant and sunshine!"   If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?   "Take me back to Australia anytime!" What’s your go to Karaoke song? "I wasn't allowed to sing in the infant school choir so I try and avoid karaoke at all costs!"   Finally… Who’s going to win the Euros? "My 10 year old says Germany are looking strong!!" As always if you'd like to find out more about Kathryn, the rest of the team, or have a planning query of your own, please visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7

Get to know: Will Collins (Associate Director) As promised, we'll be getting know a different member of the team each Friday throughout June and next up is our Associate Director, Will. With over 15 years experience working in both the public & private sectors, Will has worked on a broad range of projects gaining experience on various forms of development including residential, commercial, mixed use, education and rural. enjoy! -- Q1) Why did you get started in planning? I grew up in a sleepy suburban town, but I think I was always interested in the built environment from a young age due to lots of trips to stay with my Aunt in London. There was something intoxicating about the energy and scale of the city. I reckon Lego and playing a lot of Sim City were also early indications of a future career in town planning! Q2) tell us about your experience working in the public sector? It gave me an excellent understanding of the planning system, and of course you really get to dig down into the meanings and application of local plan policy. I also gained experienced across several different teams: Development Management, Enforcement, and Major Sites. Q3) What made you move to the private sector? To continue to gain different experiences in the planning world, and to help shape developments positively from their inception to completion. Q4) What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? When aluminium foil gets ragged and you can’t pull off a full sheet take a small piece of aluminium foil, roll it into a ball, and then rub that ball across the roll of foil in a straight line to cut through the jagged pieces on top and get back to the pristine roll. Honestly, a game-changer. Q5) What is one thing you’d change about planning? I’d like to see schemes that can demonstrate high green credentials given far more weight in the decision-making process than they currently are. Q6) How do you like to switch off from work? Spending time with family and friends. Watching sport. Ideally both at the same time! Q7) One thing you couldn’t live without? Put it like this – if Subway closed all their UK stores tomorrow – I’m not sure how I’d cope. Q8) If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be? USA. For all its many flaws, it has several world-class cities, and you could spend a lifetime exploring the national parks. Q9) What’s your go to Karaoke song? The last time I did karaoke I sang an Arctic Monkeys number and absolutely murdered it, so next time it’ll be back to my favourite Moon River! Q10) Finally… Who’s going to win the Euros? I’ll be in Frankfurt watching England v Denmark next week, so have to be optimistic and go with England.   - If you've enjoyed learning a little more about Will or would like to ask him a question yourself, leave a comment below! If you'd like to find out more about what services Rackham Planning provide, please visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7

As we have had an influx of new followers over the last month or so, we here at RP HQ thought it might be nice for you to get to know the team. Each Friday in June we will be interviewing one of our team, starting this week with the main man himself Stuart Rackham.. Enjoy! --- Why did you get started in planning? Was it something you always wanted to do?   "Its probably the way most planners get introduced to the sector – studying human geography at A Level."   Was chasing Council’s for responses to planning applications what I’ve always wanted to do – NO! When I was younger I wanted to be a Yorkie lorry driver (checked shirt, open road, freedom!)… either that or a centre back like Terry Butcher." What are some of your most memorable projects? "Tricky question as there are many – A more recent one was standing on a roof 8 storeys high in Bristol City Centre during ‘the lockdown years’. I was on a video call with the Council planning officer and was helping them assess the impact of additional floors on a commercial building. The conversation was interspersed with me dodging being attacked by angry nesting seagulls. Working on a new brewery in Cornwall was another good one." Have you had any mentors in the industry over the years and if so, how did they help develop your career? "Two early bosses at Surrey County Council – Jim Storrar and Les Andrews – both lovely people who spent time helping a wet behind the ears, goofy 22 yr old enter the real working world. More recently, when I was at Pegasus, Jim Tarzey was great – amazing drive, work ethic and knowledge. All skills that I wanted to emulate when I set up RP."   What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? "Don’t eat yellow snow... or for the more serious answer; Be excellent to each other (Treat people how you want to be treated)."   What is one thing you’d change about planning? "Making the statutory consultation period just that – if you don’t comment in 3 weeks, tough! That should speed up the system no end and would soon force consultees to get their houses in order."   How do you like to switch off from work? "Spending time with the wife and the kids. Listening to music."   One thing you couldn’t live without? "Oxygen and (I’m loathed to admit) the crocs the kids bought me for my recent 50th!"   If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be? "NW coast of Australia – few people, reefs to snorkel just off the shore, white sandy beaches."   What’s your go-to Karaoke song?  "My voice grates enough so best avoided. If I had to, ‘Panic’ by The Smiths." Finally… Who’s going to win the Euros? "Not England. Germany as they’re hosts." If you've enjoyed learning a little more about the boss (and his dad jokes) or would like to ask him a question yourself, leave a comment below! If you'd like to find out more about what Stuart has worked on and the services Rackham Planning provide, please visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7

As we have had an influx of new followers over the last month or so, we here at RP HQ thought it might be nice for you to get to know the team. Each Friday in June we will be interviewing one of our team, starting this week with the main man himself Stuart Rackham.. Enjoy! --- Why did you get started in planning? Was it something you always wanted to do?   "Its probably the way most planners get introduced to the sector – studying human geography at A Level."   Was chasing Council’s for responses to planning applications what I’ve always wanted to do – NO! When I was younger I wanted to be a Yorkie lorry driver (checked shirt, open road, freedom!)… either that or a centre back like Terry Butcher." What are some of your most memorable projects? "Tricky question as there are many – A more recent one was standing on a roof 8 storeys high in Bristol City Centre during ‘the lockdown years’. I was on a video call with the Council planning officer and was helping them assess the impact of additional floors on a commercial building. The conversation was interspersed with me dodging being attacked by angry nesting seagulls. Working on a new brewery in Cornwall was another good one." Have you had any mentors in the industry over the years and if so, how did they help develop your career? "Two early bosses at Surrey County Council – Jim Storrar and Les Andrews – both lovely people who spent time helping a wet behind the ears, goofy 22 yr old enter the real working world. More recently, when I was at Pegasus, Jim Tarzey was great – amazing drive, work ethic and knowledge. All skills that I wanted to emulate when I set up RP."   What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? "Don’t eat yellow snow... or for the more serious answer; Be excellent to each other (Treat people how you want to be treated)."   What is one thing you’d change about planning? "Making the statutory consultation period just that – if you don’t comment in 3 weeks, tough! That should speed up the system no end and would soon force consultees to get their houses in order."   How do you like to switch off from work? "Spending time with the wife and the kids. Listening to music."   One thing you couldn’t live without? "Oxygen and (I’m loathed to admit) the crocs the kids bought me for my recent 50th!"   If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be? "NW coast of Australia – few people, reefs to snorkel just off the shore, white sandy beaches."   What’s your go-to Karaoke song?  "My voice grates enough so best avoided. If I had to, ‘Panic’ by The Smiths." Finally… Who’s going to win the Euros? "Not England. Germany as they’re hosts." If you've enjoyed learning a little more about the boss (and his dad jokes) or would like to ask him a question yourself, leave a comment below! If you'd like to find out more about what Stuart has worked on and the services Rackham Planning provide, please visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/epeCnEw7