Voyage Care had an existing 13-bedroom, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service at the site but it was dated and had poor energy performance. The new purpose-built, flagship service provides 16 en-suite bedrooms and 8 self-contained transitional flats. These are complimented with a training kitchen, communal lounges, dining room and external amenity space.

We were first introduced to the project at a very early stage, working with the architect on developing a concept for the replacement building. This followed success on a number of other Voyage Care projects we have worked on.

We were charged with leading pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority, coordinating the wider design team to address key planning issues and constraints and devising the programme for community engagement.

Following the conclusion of the pre-application stage we worked to submit a full planning application and led negotiations with the Local Planning Authority.

We built a strong working relationship with the Case Officer that enabled positive discussions that ultimately led to the approval of the planning application via delegated powers.

Our early involvement enabled planning opportunities and constraints to be identified early and to put strategies in place to address these. This included working with the wider design team to overcome significant constraints imposed by foul sewerage infrastructure, culverts, trees and the proximity of neighbouring properties.

We worked with the Case Officer to agree an alternative, custom approach to measuring sustainable design that fitted with Voyage Care’s ambition to become net carbon zero by 2030. An alternative to the Council’s policy that required a BREEAM assessment.

By discussing the scheme early on with neighbours we received no objections to the planning application.