Detailed Planning
Adding Value to Planning
Through creative thinking and experience the SRM team is able to provide advice and add value in situations where obtaining planning may not be straightforward and where a sustainable approach incorporating environmental and social benefits will provide a win-win outcome.
Some commentators argue that sustainable housing is being used as an excuse for obtaining planning consent in areas that would not otherwise be considered for development. In some instances we would agree that this is true, with developers building high density housing simply with an energy efficient ‘green-wash’ over the top, for example putting a solar panel on every roof. Whilst this may be a step in the right direction, SRM’s vision goes beyond what could be deemed as ‘green-wash’. We truly believe in the benefits of building ‘Extreme Green’, for example low density, self sufficient, off-grid housing in rural areas.
The ground breaking successful development of low carbon, off-grid housing in Hill Holt Wood highlights our success in this area. This development has become a nationally recognised example of what can be achieved in a restrictive rural planning environment and how low density housing can actually benefit the environment.
Of course the planning system lags well behind this type of innovation, and whilst national intention as opposed to policy, may be making the right noises, the management of development through the planning process remains limited by the complex machinery of local plans and now Local Development Frameworks. The SRM team are seeking to influence these to provide better support for true sustainable development in the future.