Our Experience
Recent projects on which AKA have advised include:
Beaumont Road, Phase 4
(London Borough of Waltham Forest)
In February 2011 AKA secured permission for 117 new homes as Phase 4 of the regeneration of the Beaumont Road Estate.
The permission represented a significant uplift in the number of new homes compared to an earlier outline approval and the new buildings will range from between four and nine storeys.
AKA advised on all planning related matters, negotiating the associated planning obligations and putting forward the overall consultation strategy.
Wimborne House, Gravesend
(Gravesham Borough Council)
AKA obtained planning approval in January 2011 for the redevelopment of an existing care facility at Wimborne House to provide 69 extra care apartments together with associated communal facilities.
AKA advised on the policy position relating to the development of an area of existing open space and negotiated a package of improvements to the wider open space to be retained.
AKA were brought on board to advise on the overall approach to consultation and were successful in ensuring that the scheme had the general support of the local community.
Don Thomson House, Harwich
(Tendring District Council)
Working for the Sanctuary Group, AKA obtained planning permission in February 2011 for a 32 bedroom extension to an existing care home in Harwich.
AKA led the consultation process and the scheme was put forward for recommendation without a single objection from local residents.
AKA also put forward a detailed appraisal to justify the pressing need for the additional care places.
Haggerston and Kingsland
(London Borough of Hackney)
AKA are appointed by London & Quadrant and Taylor Wimpey to provide on-going planning advice for the regeneration of the Haggerston and Kingsland Estates.
Following an earlier outline planning consent and a subsequent detailed approval for the first phase of development, AKA are currently advising on the Phase 2 proposals which are to be submitted for planning in early 2011.
Upon completion, the scheme will provide 760 new homes, 10 retail units, a multi-storey community centre and new public open spaces.
Working with PRP Architects the scheme is designed to deliver high quality and high density urban living and will promote the identity and regeneration of the area.
Honeyfield, Hextable
(Sevenoaks District Council)
Working for Avante Partnership, AKA secured planning permission in August 2010 for the development of a retirement community comprising a 100 bedroom care home, 47 independent living apartments and a range of communal facilities.
AKA engaged in extensive consultation with the local community and the Parish Council to ensure that the proposal achieved an officer recommendation for approval and could be determined via delegated powers.
AKA sought to maximise the capacity of the site having regard to the various landscape and design constraints and negotiated with the local authority to ensure that no section 106 or affordable housing obligations were imposed upon the applicant.
Silverlands, Hatch End
(London Borough of Harrow)
In July 2010 AKA Planning secured planning permission for the redevelopment of an existing residential care home to provide a 29 bedroom facility offering nursing and dementia care.
The proposal, which was submitted on behalf of Sanctuary Care, was the subject of extensive pre-application discussions with the local authority and the local residents association.
The approved scheme, designed by KWL Architects, increases the footprint of the development whilst protecting the amenity of adjoining residents.
Whitehouse Estate
(London Borough of Waltham Forest)
Detailed planning approval was secured in April 2010 for the regeneration of the Whitehouse Estate. The proposal, submitted on behalf of London & Quadrant, replaces the existing two storey buildings with a higher density development comprising 71 apartments and houses.
The scheme was submitted following extensive public consultation and was determined by delegated powers. AKA are also advising the client on a number of other affordable housing schemes in Waltham Forest.
In 2010 planning permissions were granted on separate sites in the Borough for a 20 unit shared ownership development, a scheme for 28 terraced family houses and a contemporary proposal for 25 affordable housing units.
Iffley House, Oxford
(Oxford City Council)
Following a planning approval in 2009 for the development of a 75 bedroom nursing home, AKA continues to support the client in complying with the associated planning conditions.
Located within a Conservation Area the proposals have been the subject of a sensitive design approach which has been undertaken in full engagement with planning officers and local residents.
Rutten Lane, Yarnton
(Cherwell District Council)
In March 2010 AKA Planning secured amendments to an earlier planning approval for a 100 bedroom nursing home on the site of a former Council office building.
We undertook extensive negotiations with the Council before and after the submission to deliver a scheme that fully respects the character of the local area.
Leicester Road, Barnet
(London Borough of Barnet)
Working on behalf of the Tamarisk Trust, AKA acted as planning consultants in obtaining permission for 18 self-contained flats for people with Down Syndrome, dementia and learning disabilities.
The proposal, which comprises the refurbishment of an existing Victorian dwelling and the construction of four contemporary houses, was subject to detailed consultation with the planning authority and local conservation groups.
AKA has since obtained planning permission for a further 10 supported living flats for the Tamarisk Trust at another property in Barnet.
Leafield, Witney
(West Oxfordshire District Council)
AKA obtained planning approval for the change of use and extension of a rural education centre (located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to provide 20 bedrooms for adults with specialist physical, learning or mental health needs.
The planning application was accompanied by a comprehensive ‘needs’ assessment and a series of supporting technical documents.