The team at Waldeck in Northampton is celebrating after planning applications for not one but two of the projects they’ve been working on were approved by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) on the same day!

The first was for a 348,000 square foot distribution centre and office development at Grange Park which will create up to 600 jobs.

Waldeck, which was appointed by developers Evander Properties Ltd and BA Pension Fund Trustees, was responsible for the design and detailing of the civil works and providing structural advice at the pre-planning stage of the development.

Sustainable Drainage Systems
Following objections from members of the public to the application, which was first submitted to the planning committee on 14th October 2010, Waldeck’s team of experienced and innovative engineers redesigned the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) incorporated into the scheme to maintain the natural flow of the water.

Associate Director and Head of Housing and Infrastructure at Waldeck Tony Chapman explained: “Although the scheme is on a brownfield site that was previously used for industrial sand extraction, residents were worried about the appearance of the development.

“Following talks with planning officers and several public consultation meetings planning and design consultants Turley Associates produced detailed 3D drawings of how the site looks now and what it will look like in the future once the landscaping has matured to address these concerns.

“We also revised our initial drawings to enhance the development and accommodate the wishes of people living in the surrounding area.”

Antony Harding from Turley Associates added: “The committee members were very complimentary about the scheme with particular emphasis placed on the design, structural landscaping and sustainability measures incorporated.

“All members recognised the importance of the logistics sector to Northampton and were fully supportive of the development and the opportunities for employment it will provide in the future.”

David Wilson Homes
Planning permission was also granted on 9th March for a separate application submitted by David Wilson Homes’ South Midlands office on 19th November 2010 to build 176 houses on land off Banbury Lane in Northampton.

Waldeck was responsible for the design and detailing of the civil engineering works, the transportation assessment and plan and the flood risk assessment on the 7.15 ha site.

The majority of people who initially objected to the scheme were concerned about additional flood waters entering Wotton Brook. The application was granted, however, after Waldeck managed to prove to the Environment Agency and the planning committee that these concerns were unfounded.

“We have incorporated SUDS which replicate the greenfield runoff on the current undeveloped site,” said Tony. “And because we’re maintaining the natural flow regimes there won’t be any additional water following into the adjacent water course.”

Waldeck also attended a meeting with local councillors and residents to discuss their concerns and explain how flood water would be successfully dealt with.

Creative expertise
Tony concluded: “Waldeck’s Northampton office is helping local and national developers of housing schemes and commercial projects to overcome planning issues using their creative expertise and previous experience.

“Our success in both of these cases was mainly down to our innovative and flexible design work and close liaison with partner organisations and stakeholders including the architects, the Environment Agency and local residents.”