Recent projects
Blackfryers work with businesses, public transport operators, public sector, community groups and individuals. Some of our recent projects are below.
Greater Manchester Strategic Framework and local plans in St Helens & Salford
March 2019 we finished a marathon submitting comments on GMSF and various local plans on behalf of Parish Councils and communities to the north of Warrington.
GMSF - this is vastly improved following our comments on the previous version. There is much more urban regeneration and focus on town centres. But there is still a lot of Green Belt development and an unhealth focus on logistics that threatens the whole of Greater Manchester. Rather than just complaining, we set out an alternative vision of what GM could look like and how to achieve a better quality of life.
Salford - draft local plan. In many ways this is an inspirational document and easily the best of the plans we've looked at recently. But there are still threats including to the internationally important Mosslands. We provided constructive comments on the way ahead.
St Helens - draft local plan. This is a community that has been treated badly by both Government and de-industrialisation and has lost its way. It can only think of chasing the few, poorly paid and skilled logistics jobs, and has no vision for the borough or town centre. Their plans would eat up the Green Belt, unleash a tidal wave of traffic and make residents even poorer. They can do better.
GMSF - this is vastly improved following our comments on the previous version. There is much more urban regeneration and focus on town centres. But there is still a lot of Green Belt development and an unhealth focus on logistics that threatens the whole of Greater Manchester. Rather than just complaining, we set out an alternative vision of what GM could look like and how to achieve a better quality of life.
Salford - draft local plan. In many ways this is an inspirational document and easily the best of the plans we've looked at recently. But there are still threats including to the internationally important Mosslands. We provided constructive comments on the way ahead.
St Helens - draft local plan. This is a community that has been treated badly by both Government and de-industrialisation and has lost its way. It can only think of chasing the few, poorly paid and skilled logistics jobs, and has no vision for the borough or town centre. Their plans would eat up the Green Belt, unleash a tidal wave of traffic and make residents even poorer. They can do better.
Battle of Peel Hall - January 2019
We've won the battle, but the war goes on.
Parkside Colliery - March 2019
We've helped local communities prepare a response to unwelcome development on a former colliery and surrounding land that is still Green Belt and also a registered Battlefield. We have compiled a call-in request should St Helens MBC be minded to grant consent.
Utkinton - major win for a local community - November 2018
We helped the small Cheshire village of Utkinton fight off an unwelcome housing development. Nestled in the tranquil hills near Delamere, a relatively large development of 12 houses was refused by Cheshire East on landscape grounds alone. Against a well-resourced developer we helped the Parish Council compile and present landscape and other planning evidence that convinced an Inspector to turn the proposal down. A victory against the odds for a small community!
Greater Manchester Strategic Framework (GMSF) 2017-18
GMSF was analysed and a consultation response prepared that presented an alternative vision and strategy that would avoid the need to develop Green Belt and greenfield sites. Topics tackled included housing, employment and transport. The suggestions made have been taken up by the GM Mayor and Combined Authority. A new GMSF draft is being prepared around these principles, but it is already clear that this will encourage far more urban regeneration and avoid unsustainable development of substantial tracts of Green Belt.
A critique of the Warrington Local Plan was undertaken for a consortium of Parish Councils to the north of Warrington who were worried about plans to transform Warrington from a new town into a new city on a low-density, car-dependent pattern. By analysing other more sustainable developments in Britain and in northern Europe, a strategy was created that would allow the town to fulfil its ambitions, but in a way that respected the environment and was both more likely to gain public support and to succeed. The proposals are currently being analysed by the Borough Council.
A critique of the Warrington Local Plan was undertaken for a consortium of Parish Councils to the north of Warrington who were worried about plans to transform Warrington from a new town into a new city on a low-density, car-dependent pattern. By analysing other more sustainable developments in Britain and in northern Europe, a strategy was created that would allow the town to fulfil its ambitions, but in a way that respected the environment and was both more likely to gain public support and to succeed. The proposals are currently being analysed by the Borough Council.
Haydock Point - response to planning application (2018)
We drafted a response for two Parish Councils to a major lorry park in the Green Belt that threatens to overwhelm country lanes and rural communities. We analysed the developer's Transport Assessment for weaknesses and prepared a persuasive technical argument against the scheme. Click here to see the response
Warrington Local Plan (2017)
A critique of the Warrington Local Plan was undertaken for a consortium of Parish Councils to the north of Warrington who were worried about plans to transform Warrington from a new town into a new city on a low-density, car-dependent pattern. By analysing other more sustainable developments in Britain and in northern Europe, a strategy was created that would allow the town to fulfil its ambitions, but in a way that respected the environment and was both more likely to gain public support and to succeed. The proposals are currently being analysed by the Borough Council.
UK Government 'Right Homes in the Right Place' consultation 2017
We created and consulted on a response to the Government 'Right Homes in the Right Place' consultation on behalf of Parish Councils to the north of Warrington. This included complex calculations on 'Objectively Assessed Need' as well as other policies intended to increase housing supply but which would have had unintended consequences. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the response.
Major housing development, Lancaster (2017)
We are helping a group of local businesses resist a planning application that threatens 300 jobs on the Lune Industrial Estate.
We are helping a group of local businesses resist a planning application that threatens 300 jobs on the Lune Industrial Estate.
New Mills drainage project (2017-8)
We gained planning and land drainage consents for a project to create a viable development site. This included liaison with local planning and drainage authorities, Environment Agency and local stakeholders.
We gained planning and land drainage consents for a project to create a viable development site. This included liaison with local planning and drainage authorities, Environment Agency and local stakeholders.
Systra - ex JMP (2017)
We assisted on a range of projects including environmental and transport assessments, travel plans, air quality and noise and general planning advice for a wide range of projects including major transport and housing developments.
We assisted on a range of projects including environmental and transport assessments, travel plans, air quality and noise and general planning advice for a wide range of projects including major transport and housing developments.
Trans-Pennine Express rail franchise mobilisation (2016)
We project-managed the customer experience work stream including everything from catering to cleaning to security to disability policies for the Trans-Pennine Express franchise, co-ordinating over a hundred franchise commitments.
We project-managed the customer experience work stream including everything from catering to cleaning to security to disability policies for the Trans-Pennine Express franchise, co-ordinating over a hundred franchise commitments.
Greater Manchester Strategic Framework (2016)
Advice was provided to local organisations and political parties on the implications for a proposed large-scale Green Belt release at High Lane near Hazel Grove. This included potential alternatives based on urban regeneration.
Advice was provided to local organisations and political parties on the implications for a proposed large-scale Green Belt release at High Lane near Hazel Grove. This included potential alternatives based on urban regeneration.
Turf and arboriculture business, High Legh, Cheshire (2016-8)
We recently gained two planning consents to build and then extend offices for a fast-expanding business in the fiercely-defended Cheshire Green Belt.
We recently gained two planning consents to build and then extend offices for a fast-expanding business in the fiercely-defended Cheshire Green Belt.
Renewable power - hydro-electric plant, Chester (2015)
We led environment and sustainability work for a proposed hydro-electric plant in an historic and environmentally sensitive area on the River Dee in the middle of Chester. An environmental scoping statement was produced for this very complex site and consultation carried out with stakeholders including the Environment Agency, Natural England and fishermen. The site is one of the most highly protected in Britain including SSSI, SAC, Conservation Area, Listed Buildings and Ancient Monument designations. The site is at the centre of the Chester tourist industry, but this also offers opportunities for explanation and interpretation of climate change and the need for renewable energy.
We led environment and sustainability work for a proposed hydro-electric plant in an historic and environmentally sensitive area on the River Dee in the middle of Chester. An environmental scoping statement was produced for this very complex site and consultation carried out with stakeholders including the Environment Agency, Natural England and fishermen. The site is one of the most highly protected in Britain including SSSI, SAC, Conservation Area, Listed Buildings and Ancient Monument designations. The site is at the centre of the Chester tourist industry, but this also offers opportunities for explanation and interpretation of climate change and the need for renewable energy.
Rail franchise bidding (2012-15)
Peter led the environment and sustainability work stream for Abellio bids for the Thameslink (TSGN)and the Essex Thameside rail franchises. This included Environmental Policy and Management systems (ISO14001), Energy Management Systems (ISO50001), sustainable purchasing (BS8903), benchmarking, carbon reduction from trains, stations and infrastructure. The plans put the railway network at the heart of a sustainable community which included Station Travel Plans, Station Adoption and Community Rail Partnerships. It also included items not usually found in bids such as travel behaviour change programmes.
For the ScotRail bid we helped to develop innovative partnership working with local planning authorities to integrate land use and transport planning and ensure other modes such as cycle, walk and bus are fully used.
Peter led the environment and sustainability work stream for Abellio bids for the Thameslink (TSGN)and the Essex Thameside rail franchises. This included Environmental Policy and Management systems (ISO14001), Energy Management Systems (ISO50001), sustainable purchasing (BS8903), benchmarking, carbon reduction from trains, stations and infrastructure. The plans put the railway network at the heart of a sustainable community which included Station Travel Plans, Station Adoption and Community Rail Partnerships. It also included items not usually found in bids such as travel behaviour change programmes.
For the ScotRail bid we helped to develop innovative partnership working with local planning authorities to integrate land use and transport planning and ensure other modes such as cycle, walk and bus are fully used.
Planning application for waste transfer station (2013-15)
We made multiple planning applications for a change of use and new buildings on a complex site near Heysham, Lancashire
We made multiple planning applications for a change of use and new buildings on a complex site near Heysham, Lancashire
EIA and environmental reports
We produced an Environmental Scoping report to support a planning application for a major extension to a leisure village to the south of the Lake District.
We produced an Environmental Scoping report to support a planning application for a major extension to a leisure village to the south of the Lake District.
Travel Planning
We have produce travel plans for a number of organisaitons to satisfy planning conditions and to allow bids for grant-aid.
We have produce travel plans for a number of organisaitons to satisfy planning conditions and to allow bids for grant-aid.
