Introducing....Leith Planning

Regardless of the changing face of global

economies, land in the UK has reliably remained

one of the most valuable and attractive assets

across the world. Whether the pound is strong

or not, there remains an interest in promoting

land and property through the planning process

with a view to maximizing a sites

development potential.

Good examples are the significant demand for

both housing and healthcare developments. An

explosion in the UK’s population coupled

with people living for longer, has led to a

significant demand for a wider range of housing

schemes and well-conceived retirement and

health care developments. In response, the

government is encouraging Local Authorities

towards “a presumption in favour of sustainable

development”. Furthermore, as a result of this

population growth, supporting sectors such

as infrastructure and retail have also attracted

investment and robust land values.

At the core of the Leith Planning Group is

our Town and Country Planning expertise. A

foundation of experience that spans over 30

years. Our client base includes landowners,

developers, pension funds, health care

operators, retailers and charities all of which are

seeking professional advice and an exceptional

level of client care.

We are known for going the extra mile to

protect our clients’ interests ensuring that all

our projects, whether a domestic extension or

a £180 million development, receives the same

attention to detail and exquisite output that our

clients have come to expect.

Our vision is a simple one... “To deliver our

clients aspirations, protect their interests

and ensure that the customer experience is

exceptional. This is all underpinned by exquisite

client care and hardworking family values”

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Chris PlenderleithGroup Managing Director

‘‘ The Leith Planning Group has significant expertise in town and country planning and has built up an exceptional contact base in the development industry. The Leith Planning team are known for their ability to accurately evaluate planning risk and secure viable planning consents across the UK. With over 30 years’ experience, the Leith Planning brand has become renowned for its exceptional service and commitment to its partners and clients.’’

Chris is the Managing Director of the Leith Planning Group. Chris has over 30 years experience in Town and Country Planning and is a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Chris is recognised nationally as an expert on town and country planning and specialises in leveraged negotiations and Section 106 Agreements.

For over 20 years Chris contributed to the updating of a leading work, “Planning Law Practice and Precedents”, published by Sweet and Maxwell, co-authors Robert Turrall-Clarke and Stephen Tromans QC. Chris recently wrote an article with Sasha White QC of Landmark Chambers, published in Issue 4 [2015] of the Journal of Planning and Environmental Law, entitled ‘Access to Environmental Information: 30 Years On’ [2015] J.P.L. 409.

For over 10 years Chris was retained as a planning consultant to the Planning and Property Litigation Law Group of DAC Beachcroft (Solicitors), based at their offices at 100 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1BN, who have a national practice. Whilst working for DAC Beachcroft Chris regularly acted for the Secretary of State for Health. Chris presently acts for and alongside several national and international law firms, including DAC Beachcroft, Nicholas & Co Solicitors, Thomas Eggar and Field Fisher Waterhouse, providing expert planning advice and evidence in High Court Proceedings.

Chris’ public sector experience is extensive and in addition to working for Regional Health Authorities and Trusts Chris has recently worked on a project for student accommodation on land adjacent to Exeter University and student housing proposals in Shrewsbury (with Morris Properties).

Chris has acted as a planning consultant on several matters that involved leveraged negotiations on the back of High Court litigation. A number of the High Court cases are reported in The Journal of Planning and Environmental Law. By way of example, Chris acted for Eames London Estates Ltd. in connection with the matter of Valentine Plus Ltd v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Kensington and Chelsea RLBC. The matter involved the interpretation of the General Permitted Development Order and is reported in the above journal at [2015] J.P.L 707-713.

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Team Credentials

CHRIS PLENDERLEITH, BA (HONS) MRTPI

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR

Shan’s background is centered on commercial sales and corporate strategy. He received his early sales training as a Global Sales Executive for SPG Media, a multi-national advertising company, with the responsibility for managing advertising campaigns for a number of publications to North America, Western Europe, South Africa and Asia.

Shan was the Managing Director of Fusion Online Limited which was Leith Planning’s sister company and owned by Chris Plenderleith (who acted as Executive Chairman). Fusion Online was the UK’s largest provider of planning policy data and partnered with the government’s central website service (www.planningportal.gov.uk) to provide all registered users (almost 500,000) with the provision of planning policy data for England and Wales to both the private and public sectors.

Throughout his career Shan has also advised companies on sales and marketing strategies and has delivered a number of seminars on effective commercial sales methods.

Shan has been working with Leith Planning Ltd since 2004 and as the groups Commercial Director he has developed the necessary corporate strategies to ensure that Leith Planning Ltd has continued to grow and develop during one of the UK’s most challenging economic environments.

Shan is responsible for managing the groups investment arm and growing portfolio of sites across the UK. Shan is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of Leith Planning’s corporate strategies (specifically Sales, Corporate Investment, Marketing and Customer Care) and works very closely with Chris to ensure that over the short, medium and long term, the company continues to provide industry leading services to its clients.

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Team Credentials

SHAN DASSANAIKE, MINSTSMM

GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Sam has worked with Leith Planning Ltd since 2002, is a full member of the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) and graduated with a Masters Degree in Town Planning from the University of Manchester.

Sam has developed specialised skills in dealing with a wide range of contentious projects (some of which have been covered by the national media). She is able to successfully manage projects that require lateral thinking and is well versed in bringing together and leading specialist teams to ensure that large and/or complex projects are delivered on time, within budget and in line with the clients commercial aspirations.

Sam has significant experience in preparing for and attending Public Inquiries, attending appeal hearings, evaluating potential sites for their planning merit and negotiating with Local Authorities and third parties. As Group Planning Director, Sam is also heavily involved in our land and property investment arm, and has been successful in securing consents that have added considerable value to our investment portfolio.

Projects that Sam has been involved in during her career include:

• Promotion of sites through the evolving localplan process and securing site specific allocations.

• A large range of residential, retail, employmentand hotel applications, managed from initial identification through to delivery of consent.

• Project managing a large ASDA retail scheme in Gloucestershire.

• Project managing large scale residentialapplications including Green Belt sites.

• Preparing and submitting an application for retailunits for Floors2Go, Indoor Golf, Skin, Evans Cycles and Frankie & Benny’s.

• Project Management and attendance at a PublicHearing objecting to a psychiatric unit in Berkshire.

• Judicial Review – Pre Action Protocol relating tothe lack of a justification on a decision made by Vale Royal Borough Council.

• A range of leisure applications including touringand static caravans and ‘glamping’ pods.

• Large extension of a commercial development inthe Green Belt.

• Project Management and the submission ofan application in North Somerset for a 22 bed psychiatric unit incorporating “green” technologies in the floodplain.

• Re-Development of agricultural farm buildings tocreate a regional tourist attraction, craft centre and retail outlets in Cheshire.

Scott joined the Leith planning Group in 2016 as our Senior Planning Consultant and adds a huge amount of value to the planning team. Scott graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Planning from Liverpool John Moores and is a full member of the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute).

Scott started his career working for Local Government and has over 15 years’ experience determining a full range of minor and major planning applications. Over the last several years Scott has been working in the private sector for consultants preparing, submitting and negotiating on planning applications, prior approvals and listed building consents.

Scott has considerable experience organising and managing community consultation meetings with local stakeholders, carrying out pre application consultations and managing multi-disciplinary teams throughout the planning process. Scott’s extensive experience provides another strong link to our exceptional planning team.

Scott has experience dealing with all types of planning appeals, including preparing written statements and giving expert evidence at Pubic Inquiries and informal hearings.

Throughout his career Scott has worked on projects such as:

• Redevelopment of a 26ha Former Vulcan WorksFoundry for 630 dwellings, local centre, live/work units, public open space and sports and recreation facilities.

• Mixed use development on 54 ha for 1,200 dwellings, local centre, public open space and sports/recreation facilities.

• A new 14,500 sqm Academy (SecondarySchool/6th Form College) for 1,650 pupils, construct associated hard play areas, sports playing fields, multi use games areas with 12m high floodlighting, car parking and servicing with 8m high street lighting, hard and soft landscaping including perimeter fencing/gates, CCTV, underground bio mass plant room, boiler and storage area and 3no. 18m high wind turbines.

• The restoration of two grade II listed buildings ina serious state of disrepair with significant enabling development, new dwellings on land proposed for the Inter-modal freight terminal.

• Conversion of a farmhouse and existing Dutchbarn and reconstruction of outbuildings for 29 bedroom brain injury rehabilitation unit and ancillary workshop units together with associated gardens, landscaping, car parking, boundary treatment and access improvements.

• Reclamation and regrading of 5.2ha of landtogether with construction of access and main spine road for Class B1 (Business), B2 (General Industry) and B8 (Storage & Distribution) uses.

• Telecommunications developments in AONB’s,World Heritage Sites, Conservation Areas and on listed buildings

Team Credentials Team Credentials

SAMANTHA NICHOLLS, BA (HONS) MTCP MRTPI

GROUP PLANNING DIRECTOR

SCOTT BRACKEN, PG DIP EP, MRTPI

SENIOR PLANNING CONSULTANT

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Rebecca graduated with a Masters Degree in Environmental Planning from Liverpool John Moores University and began her planning career as a Planning Officer within the Development Control Department at Fylde Borough Council.

Rebecca has been working with Leith Planning Ltd since 2005 and as Associate Planning Director Rebecca has developed an impressive background (assisted by her experience working in the public sector) in dealing with projects that require a creative outlook in order to achieve the clients commercial aspirations.

Rebecca is currently heading up projects where the focus will be on the provision of renewable energy and the developments are endeavouring to surpass the requirements of the Code for the Sustainable Homes and be classified as a BREEAM Excellent development.

Throughout her career Rebecca has worked on projects such as

• Lytham Quays (a major mixed use developmenton the Lytham coast) Residential developments including developments on former contaminated sites in the North West.

• Telecommunications Applications

• Dealing with Planning Appeals as a PlanningOfficer for Fylde Borough Council

• Working with the Welsh Assembly on a mixeduse development and master planning exercise. Liaising with Welsh Assembly Government and consultants on evolving the policy framework and Masterplan process.

• Cygnet Health Care hospitals including new 60 bed extension to an existing hospital in Stevenage

• Residential schemes in Preston

• Extra care developments across England for MHA

• Retail applications in the North West includingSubway and Floors 2 Go

• 220 berth in land marina in Solihull

Lee is a well-established property professional, with over 16 years’ experience in the development industry. Lee has specialised in the healthcare and licensed and leisure sectors with an established track record of delivering his client’s corporate objectives in property, investment sales and acquisition both in the UK and mainland Europe.

In addition to managing investment portfolios in Europe and developing his own family businesses, Lee has worked for Downing Developments, Dale Carnegie and Christie & Co.

In his capacity as Business Development Executive for the Leith Planning Group Lee is responsible for the development of the Groups commercial strategy and delivering the individual companies sales and marketing objectives.

Lee has managed the sale of landmark sites and

properties in the following areas:

Lee has managed the sale of landmark sites and properties in the following areas:

Rocco Forte

Hilton Hotels

Everton Football Club

Liverpool Football Club

Balfour Beatty

Marstons

BAE Systems

Jaguar Land Rover

Team Credentials Team Credentials

REBECCA BOOTH, MSC (DIST) BSC (HONS)

ASSOCIATE PLANNING DIRECTOR

LEE BLOOMBERG, BA (HONS) MARKETING

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

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UK:

Manchester

Liverpool

North Wales

Lancashire

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Exeter

Central London

East Midlands

Newcastle

Leeds

Europe:

Spain

Denmark

Switzerland

Finland

Portugal

Czech Republic

Sally’s involvement in Leith Planning began 20 years ago on the day that Chris started the company from their home in Hemel Hempstead. As a Co-Owner and Director in the company Sally has helped to support Chris from an operational and strategic perspective and as the company and team have grown, Sally has used her experience to ensure that Leith Planning’s growth into a national and well respected Town & Country Planning consultancy remained steady and controlled.

Sally is also well known for her ability to keep the Boss in line when needed!!

Stephen joined Leith Planning in January 2013 as a Sales Apprentice to assist in the growth of our Development Plan monitoring company Fusion Online Ltd. Stephens exceptional growth and value to the Leith Planning Group resulted in him being nominated for the UK Apprentice of the Year award where Stephen came second place, in a category that saw him competing with candidates with over two years more experience in the work place. As Stephen’s role evolved he was then offered a permanent position by the Leith Planning Group to assist with the administrative and commercial aspects of Leith Planning Ltd and its various subsidiary companies.

Team Credentials

SALLY PLENDERLEITH

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

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STEPHEN SANDFORD

ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER

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We have considerable experience of advising on healthcare facilities and presently act for Barchester, Cygnet Healthcare, Morris Healthcare, Methodist Homes for the Aged as well as Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital and the redevelopment of Runwell and Claybury Hospitals.

Leith Planning Ltd has considerable experience in relation to the provision of both private and public healthcare facilities varying from 8 bed extensions to 90 bed new build hospitals; including liaising with local communities and local police.

Leith Planning Ltd has dealt with numerous schemes for healthcare provision including an extension in North Somerset which incorporated sustainable design principles in an Earth Sheltered Building incorporating a Sedum Roof.

We have worked with Cambridge University on the redevelopment of their Fitzwilliam College Boat Club including replacement boathouse with boat store, gym and shower/changing facilities. Leith Planning Ltd also worked alongside Leicester University in relation to their plans to redevelop/develop their estate.

Leith Planning Limited was instructed to review the High Speed 2 rail proposals and research the likely implications on our client’s estate near Knutsford. We drafted comprehensive representations seeking to protect the Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II* Listed Building.

Healthcare:

Relevant Experience:

Relevant Experience:GRANGE HOTELS LIMITED BEDFONT LAKES, HOUNSLOW

We have recently secured consent for a £150 million development for Grange Hotels including a circa 430 bed 5* Hotel with conference facilities in London which has been the subject of comprehensive pre-application negotiations. This consent has been secured despite the Council’s best endeavours to re-allocate the site as Green Belt land.

SUMA DEVELOPMENTS STAFFORD

We have prepared a number of applications for Suma Developments including the erection of a premises to include Class A5 (Hot food takeaways), D1 (Non-residential institutions) and/or A1 (Shops) of the Use Classes Order.

OFFICE SHOES, 47-49 OXFORD STREET, LONDON

We recently secured consent for Office Shoes for their flagship store in Oxford Street for detailed permission with advertisement consent for a modern shop front within a Conservation Area.

ASDA STORE, FOREST OF DEANLeith Planning Limited participated in successfully securing consent for the erection of an Asda retail supermarket and supporting employment development providing approximately 550 jobs incorporating over 10,000m2 of built development in the Forest of Dean.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT We have secured a number of consents for the conversion of office accommodation to residential development across the UK. Some of which have included properties within Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and in areas, which have policies seeking to protect employment land in notoriously contentious local authority areas such as City of London, Westminster and Camden.

Leith Planning secured consent for the change of use and conversion of 22 Tower Street, London, WC2H 9TW from offices (Class B1) to residential accommodation (Class C3) comprising 21 apartments and associated works, successfully navigating Camden Council’s presumption against the loss of office floorspace.

ROBINSONS BREWERY – PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Leith Planning Limited is instructed to assist Frederic Robinson Limited in the review and management of their assets for disposal. We have recently successfully secured the release of a 5.4ha site from the Green Belt to deliver approximately 150 dwellings through the emerging policy framework.

WIGMORE ST, LONDON We recently won a longstanding battle with Westminster City Council securing an approval on appeal for rear extensions and internal alterations to a property on Wigmore Street in the Harley Street Conservation Area. Westminster Council had opposed the rear extensions vehemently based on impact on the Conservation Area and we were particularly delighted with some of the views expressed by the Inspector in his decision. The highlights included:

“I do not share completely its [the Council’s] enthusiasm for the existing architectural character.”

“…I consider the material harm to the Conservation Area to be so minimal as to be incapable of recognition.”

We hope to see many more Inspectors’ Decisions that cause such delight within the office!

WANDSWORTH & WESTMINSTER MIND

Leith Planning successfully secured consent for the relocation of Wandsworth and Westminster Mind from their current premises to a new town centre location within Wandsworth.

We also successfully secured consent for the conversion of their existing day centre (Class D1) to residential (Class C3) to release the necessary funding for the charity to purchase and develop their new facilities in Wandsworth.

MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT – GUILDFORD

Leith Planning secured consent for a mixed commercial / residential development including retail (Class A1); financial and professional (Class A2) restaurants/ cafes (Class A3); non-residential institution/clinic (Class D1); a Gym, Assembly and leisure (Class D2); a total of 111 residential units with 79 car parking spaces and storage for bicycles

LEISURE AND TOURISM We have a number of on-going leisure and tourism projects. We have recently secured consent for Campbells Caravans, the largest touring caravan and motorhome retailer in the North West. The scheme secured consent for an extended sales and display area of approximately 2.6ha within open countryside.

We are instructed on behalf of Morris Leisure and have recently secured consent for 135 pitch touring caravan park and associated development in Llanberis. We also secured consent for the highly successful Morris Leisure site at Ludlow.

PART 3 CLASS F OF THE GPDOWe won on Appeal a Certificate of Lawfulness under Part 3 Class F of the GDPO relating to the conversion of first floor retail space to residential development. The Inspector in this case supported our view despite the fact that his application was fiercely opposed by the Council and local residents, including the existing retail tenant. This decision was the first of its kind to truly test the interpretation of the Permitted Development Rights under Part 3 Class F of the GDPO and as such was included within the ‘Editor’s Pick’ on the Planning Resource website in June 2014 http://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1297916/editors-pick-separate-flat-above-shop-unit-permitted-development.

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CLIENT LIST:

PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA

Cygnet Healthcare Ltd Grange Hotel City Group Morris Leisure EPC UK Beachcroft Wansborough Nicholas & Co Solicitors 

Office Holdings Ltd  Windowflowers Ltd Campbells Caravans St Martin of Tours HA Ltd Frederic Robinson Partridge Lake Fisheries 

Wandsworth & Westminster MIND 

Suma Developments Stenham Properties Field Fisher LLP

Publications

Chris Plenderleith wrote an article with Sasha White QC of Landmark Chambers, published in Issue 4 [2015] of the Journal of Planning and Environmental Law, entitled ‘Access to Environmental Information: 30 Years On [2015] J.P.L. 409.

Leith Planning Ltd contributes to the updating of a leading work “Planning

Law Practice and Precedents” published

by Sweet and Maxwell, co authors Robert Turrall-Clarke and Stephen Tromans, both of Counsel.

Leith Planning Ltd contributed to the updating of the Second Edition Contaminated Land published by Sweet and Maxwell, co authors Robert Turrall-Clarke and Stephen Tromans, both of Counsel.

Media

Leith Planning Ltd has contributed on numerous occasions on Radio Five Live and Radio Two in relation to planning debates and topical issues.

Our work and experience has been illustrated and used as an example in various publications and media events, including:

Leith Planning Group Ltd14 South Clifton Street

Lytham St AnnesLancashireFY8 5HN

01253 795548 shan@leithplanning.co.uk

Leith Planning Limited(Part of the Leith Planning Group)