Urban Future Planning was appointed to provide planning consultancy for the redevelopment of two vacant plots at Aycliffe Business Park for 5,588sqm of commercial floor space set over 43 individual units, resulting in a planning permission.

With the global pandemic creating an e-commerce boom, the industrial and logistics sector is looking at how it can address the surge in demand for space.

Online purchasing activity has accelerated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, putting pressure on the UK’s existing warehousing and logistics facilities and resulting in high levels of take-up for existing facilities and space in the delivery pipeline.

We were recently approached to advise on a planning application for the redevelopment of a vacant plot for residential in Lancashire. The Applicant's scheme had been refused prior to approaching Urban Future.

Our qualified team of RTPI-accredited Town Planners were able to advise the Applicant on a re-submission, modifying its design to achieve policy compliancy whilst also successfully citing appeal caselaw to achieve a car free development given the lack of space available for off road parking provision on the site.

Our client is thrilled having achieved an excellent ROI for this vacant plot.

If you're struggling to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving planning system or would like to know the development potential of your land/buildings, get in touch for UK-wide expert planning advice.

Today’s motorists want more from a Petrol Filling Station than just… fuel!

We obtained consent for a knock-down-rebuild of this petrol filling station to include a larger scale, full convenience retail and food-to-go offer on what has now become a busy roadside location. With the gradual phasing out of diesel and petrol cars in the UK, NOW is the time to maximise development potential and create ‘one-stop’ convenience and ‘food-to-go’ destinations and ‘future-proof’ sites with Electric Vehicle Charging points. Paying at the pump to fill up with petrol may only take a few minutes, but even with the fastest electric vehicle chargers, customers will have at least 10 to 15 minutes to kill - plenty of time to grab a coffee and do some shopping! Our dedicated Roadside Services Planning consultants have been involved with the modernisation   program   of   several   UK   forecourt   operators   and   have   successfully delivered more than 30 ‘new to industry’ sites during the last four years. We’re able to advise on land potential prior   to   purchase through   to   obtaining   planning consent and linking the site up with food-to-go and convenience brand partners

Urban Future Planning Consultancy has successfully negotiated planning permission on behalf of The Redbeck Group for the demolition of the existing dated Texaco branded PFS and its replacement with a high-quality modern roadside service with a TWO STOREY food-to-go and convenience retail offer alongside electric vehicle charging points.

This development will transform the existing site, provide new jobs and a valuable roadside service for passing motorists for years to come.

Urban Future Planning Consultancy has a track-record in securing planning consents for a large number of petrol filling station developments and convenience retail.

Pleased to have acted as Planning Agent for the demolition of the former two-storey building at Burmah Mill in Gladstone Street, Green Bank, Blackburn, along with the reconfiguration of the parking area to bring about a new business park. 

Pleased to have obtained planning permission on behalf of our client for the conversion of this farmhouse with attached agricultural barn in to SIX dwellings in Burnley, Lancashire The delivery of six dwellings through a high-quality, sensitive conversion can be brought about with limited modifications to the external façade of the building.

Future occupants of the scheme will benefit from a good standard of living accommodation set in an attractive, landscaped setting in a semi-rural location.

Pleased to have obtained planning permission for the subdivision of this property into a HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) for eight occupants south of Manchester. Well-managed and high-quality HMOs provide a valuable source of flexible and affordable accommodation to a range of individuals such as students, young professionals or temporary workers whilst giving Landlords a great return on investment. Larger, older properties such as this often require significant costs to maintain as a single occupancy dwelling. If located in a sustainable location and can be managed appropriately, a HMO could be a wise investment strategy. 

Get in touch today if you're looking to maximise the development potential of your property.

Pleased to have secured consent for the change of use of the former Thwaites' stables in Blackburn in to 10 starter business units on behalf of our client. The buildings date from 1891 and have stood vacant for a number of years. This scheme will not only secure the future integrity of the buildings but will provide readily accessible commercial accommodation for new and existing businesses in the area. 

If you're looking to maximise the development potential of your land or buildings, drop us a message to discuss a way forward.

We're providing plenty of bounce for our Manchester client! The first indoor trampoline park in the UK opened in May 2014 but there are now already around 100 across the country, with additional ones planned. 

The benefits to landlords of this phenomenon are obvious – trampoline operators are now a key target for landlords with problematic 20,000-30,000 sq ft empty boxes such as this premises close to Manchester City Centre! 

Perhaps five years ago, we may have scoffed at the notion, but it has proven to be a phenomenally successful and growing sector.

Pleased to have provided consultancy services for this project at the Roe Lee Mills site, Blackburn. Notwithstanding the site being designated for future residential development, we were able to put across a strong case showing there to be no real prospect of this part of the allocation being redeveloped for housing. Instead, this proposal will contribute towards the Borough’s much needed employment land supply. 

Planning Committee Members followed the Case Officer’s report’s recommendation and granted permission. Committee chairman Cllr Dave Smith said there was a shortage of industrial units and it made sense. Borough growth and development chief, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “The masterplan was drawn up about three years ago. Since then, the site has got new management and has gone from being a place with some doubt about its’ future to a thriving place for business. “It’s an industrial site so I’m happy to bring this forward.” 

We have track a record in delivering consents for light industrial/starter business units across the North West. Get in touch today to find out more!

Our client contacted us when his application for a single storey side extension was rejected on design grounds and an alleged impact on neighbour amenity. We were able to put together a convincing case to show the proposed modifications to be in keeping with the host property and that due to the orientation of the dwelling, there would be no adverse impact to the neighbour in terms of privacy or outlook. The Inspector sided with our argument (Appeal Decision Ref no. APP/M2372/D/19/3219982) and our Client is happy! 

Our client acquired the vacant former Liquid and Envy nightclub in Blackburn town centre and was thrilled to receive consent for a new mixed-use scheme comprising an extravagant halal restaurant, snooker hall and games provision. Notwithstanding the site’s location within a Conservation Area, we were able to demonstrate that the proposal would not bring about adverse highways or amenity concerns but instead would result in job creation, sustainable economic development and be supportive of town centre retail planning policy. We can’t wait to see the finished job!

Seaside towns across the UK have an abundance of vacant holiday accommodation owing to changing holiday trends over the last few decades. These properties can make for a sound investment. 

In fact, we’re happy to have secured consent for the subdivision of this former Blackpool B&B in to flats for the open market on behalf of our client. This was a tricky proposal insofar as the Council has policies protecting holiday accommodation within its designated holiday areas. We had to provide sound justification showing that holiday lettings would not be viable whilst demonstrating the need for the type of homes being created. 

Small businesses are the back-bone of the British economy. So when our client contacted us with a refused planning application for the continued use of his commercial property as a Café following a temporary approval, we knew we had to help. A successful written-reps appeal submission to the Planning Inspectorate was enough to demonstrate no adverse impact on residential amenity whilst the benefits of the scheme such as promoting consumer choice, sustainable economic development and job creation ought to result in a consent. 

Happy to have assisted on this project in Preston providing a detailed Planning and Design & Access Statement to support an application for the change of use of an ancillary pub building (Class A4) to four apartments (Class C3) including a two storey side and side and rear extension. 

Pleased to have secured planning permission this week for the change of use of the former Danebridge Methodist Church (constructed in 1834) in to a private dwellinghouse.

This was a tricky application as the site is in the Peak District National Park and within a Conservation Area. Moreover, the change of use of community buildings such as this one require convincing justification on planning grounds.