Harriet Bray

MPlan MRTPI

Senior Planner

Experience

Harriet is a Chartered Town Planner with over 4 years of experience in the private sector. Harriet has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from strategic land and site promotion, residential development, commercial and industrial projects as well as several significant infrastructure projects across England. More recently, Harriet has turned her hand to airspace development in London and rural & householder development in the Forest of Dean, Cotswold District and South Gloucestershire.

Harriet is also a committee member of G4C Midlands and assists in organising networking events across the whole of the Midlands, as well as supporting CPD and learning sessions.

Projects

  • Assisting in securing Reserved Matters Approval for major residential and commercial schemes in Stafford, Derby and Malvern Hills.
  • Secured Planning Permission for a new car park with associated EV Charging Infrastructure in the Vale of White Horse.
  • Writing detailed planning and site appraisals to assist major rail and transmission infrastructure projects.
  • Secured Discharge of Conditions on various commercial projects across Greater Manchester and Huddersfield.
  • Assisting in the obtaining of permission for airspace developments across several London Boroughs.

Hobbies

When she’s not in the office, Harriet is a keen cricketer and runner. She also enjoys watching the rugby and taking trips to the theatre. Her other hobbies include reading a good book or jetting off to somewhere in Europe for a short city break. Harriet hopes to combine her love of running and travelling this year by taking part in a ‘half marathon holiday’.

View Projects

PiP application approved, in the London Borough of Lewisham

McLoughlin Planning are pleased to have helped secure Permission in Principle for up to 6 residential flats in the London Borough of Lewisham. This is the first Permission in Principle application determined, and approved, by this London Borough.

The landowner approached us to help find opportunities to holistically enhance and expand an existing mixed-use commercial and residential property to provide additional apartments. Through our initial planning research, we found evidence of neighbouring regeneration taking place and upward extensions permitted on other corner plot properties within the Borough offering comfort that such a proposal could be supported. However, because of site specific planning constraints (such as a nearby listed building) and the Council’s lengthy planning validation requirements for a project of this nature, the landowner wanted some reassurances from the Council that in principle the proposed development could be supported before investing in the work required for a full planning application.

Permission in Principle applications (PiPs) are a useful planning tool for landowners seeking to initially secure an “in principle” agreement with a Council on their proposed development. The application type considers only the location, land use and amount of development. PiP’s are limited to up to 9 residential units and therefore are suited for smaller rural development proposals or intensification or smaller brownfield developments in urban areas.

Following submission, as this was the first PiP in the London Borough of Lewisham, McLoughlin Planning worked closely with the Council to help ensure the Permission in Principle application was being determined correctly and to assist with providing additional information and reassurances (where required). Working with a proactive case officer, we are pleased to have successfully provided the landowner with the required comfort for a new sustainable development, and a new local case study on the benefits of Permission in Principle for property owners within the Capital.

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Regeneration of a brownfield site into 6 new homes in the Forest of Dean

We are delighted that following our involvement, planning permission has been secured for the erection of six new apartments in the heart of Cinderford.

Identifying the development potential of brownfield land   

It was an interesting site, located within the development boundary of Cinderford and previously associated with commercial uses.  But it was also an irregular shape, bounded by commercial and residential units, and had a recent planning refusal for a similar scheme on site.

It seemed to be heading in a similar direction again as, prior to our involvement in the project, the applicant had received negative feedback from the planning officer on the latest application.  Fearing a planning refusal and not sure how to most effectively respond to the comments received, we were approached and asked by the applicant to review the case officer’s commentary to date, provide guidance on how best to amend the scheme and to prepare supporting evidence/mitigation measures to help navigate the proposals to a positive outcome.

Key planning considerations for residential development on a brownfield site

 Given the complexities of the space, key planning considerations included:

  • technical requirements (such as parking, and internal room standards);
  • residential amenity considerations;
  • contamination;
  • siting;
  • relationship of the development with neighbouring commercial uses;
  • how the design would respond to local vernacular; and
  • ecological requirements.

We provided the project team with a critical analysis of both the planning policy requirements and the feedback from the officer and weighed this against the proposed development. Our input helped to ensure that the redesign met the technical requirements set out in both local and national policy documents.

Clever design solutions and a strategic planning approach can unlock the development potential of a challenging plot

It was great to be working on the scheme with Edge Design Workshop.  Their considered revisions to the scheme included: removal of a disused MEB building to unlock more of the site; clever design of the housing units to ensure space standards and amenity space requirements were amply met; suitable parking provision for both existing and future residents; design amends to remove the risk of overlooking.

Alongside our advice to the architect, the applicant also commissioned us to write a planning statement, clearly highlighting the previous concerns from the case officer and how these have been addressed in the revised proposal.

The Council remained co-operative throughout the process and ensured a fair assessment of the Site and the revisions undertaken. The result was a positive conclusion, unlocking a valuable brownfield site for the delivery of much needed new homes in Cinderford.

We are so pleased with the outcome, and that through our careful analysis of planning policy and context, effective engagement with the project team and the presentation of a clear and considered planning strategy – this dilapidated site will now be regenerated to the benefit of the local area and will bring new, stylish apartments to a central and sustainable location.

How we can help

If you have a brownfield site, are wondering about its development potential and would like a member of our team to review your case and explore whether there is a way forward to secure planning approval for your project, then please contact us through either our “Arrange a Call” tab on our contact page or via the email and telephone number provided below:

Chris Moore – Director

T: 01242895008

E: chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk

 

Image source: Edge Design Workshop (2024)

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Get in touch

If you are interested in finding out how we can help you please get in touch