David Lock Associates in association with Peter Brett Associates have been awarded the Institution for Highways and Transportation/Department for Transport Manual for Streets Award, 2008.

The award was made in recognition of DLA & PBA’s innovative and pioneering design work in integrating public transport into the Hempsted project, part of DLA’s long term work on a new township in Peterborough on behalf of O&H Properties.

The award is made all the more prestigious by being the only award directly sponsored by the DfT.

The citation reads “The scheme was constrained by existing networks but made a very good attempt to reduce impact. Given the major trunk road running through the centre, a very balanced approach was taken, allowing a comfortable equilibrium between movement and place. This was considered both innovative in terms of travel plans and a comprehensive entry.”

For further information please see links below.

IHT/DfT Awards 2008

Manual for Streets Award Submission

General Arrangement 1

General Arrangement 2

Hempsted in context of wider development area

Hempsted aerial photograph

Hempsted bus priority measures

Hempsted 'loop road' illustration

Hempsted mixed use High Street illustration

Photograph of London Road existing situation

After completing a lengthy interview process, David Lock Associates have been commissioned by Network Rail to create a strategic vision for landholdings in the Derwent River Valley close to Derby main line Railway Station and City Centre.

We have been asked to concentrate on a 30 hectare brown field reclaimed site with 1km river frontage to form proposals for sustainable city living, but have the remit to recommend what might happen to adjacent sites in order to bring forward a comprehensive vision. Our aim is to work with an enthusiastic Derby CC, with a view to influence the emerging LDF. If all goes well, a planning application will follow in 2009

Network Rail are a new client for David Lock Associates, and were attracted to us because of our increasing reputation in regeneration and work we did for emerging new station proposals at Corby and Wellingborough for Bee Bee Developments.

David Lock Associates and David Kent Architects have secured planning permission for new office space at Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd United Kingdom Headquarters in Milton Keynes.

Planning permission for a new 5,000 square metre BREEAM Excellent office block, decked car parking and five wind turbines was approved unanimously by Milton Keynes Council Development Control Committee.

The proposal is an important part of Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd’s business plan and will consolidate its position as one of the major companies in Milton Keynes. It will enable Daimler Chrysler Financial Services to move from a separate site in Caldecotte. It will also enable the refurbishment of outdated offices.

The scheme has been the subject of a successful public consultation process in January 2008 which was centred on an exhibition held on site for local residents.

The development will strengthen the Tongwell Employment Area on the eastern side of the city and the profile of the area where there is a developing cluster of automotive activities.

Image courtesy of TenDesign

An outline planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of Lafarge Cement UK’s Weardale Works & Quarries at Eastgate in County Durham in the heart of the North Pennines. Plans produced by DLA focus on the creation of a renewable energy village, a unique proposal that will be the first living and working demonstration in the country of all five forms of land-based renewable energy generated in the UK (wind, hydro, geothermal, solar and biomass).

Test drilling in 2005 confirmed the existence of hot water beneath the site at 46 degrees Celsius at one kilometre depth. This is to be used in a hot springs spa that is to be the centrepiece of the renewable energy village. Amongst a wide range of other proposed uses within the village are business units, 65 new homes, nine live/work units, a hotel, education centre and visitor centre. The Weardale Railway heritage service is to be extended to the site.

The renewable energy village is to be located on the 26 hectare site of the old cement works which closed in 2002. Elsewhere, over 300 hectares of Lafarge owned land, comprising former quarries and grazing land, is to be used for outdoor learning and leisure activities. The latter includes a mountain bike centre, expected to be the leading facility of its kind in England.

The planning application has been submitted by Weardale Task Force, a partnership of One NorthEast, Durham County Council, Wear Valley District Council and Lafarge Cement. It follows four rounds of public consultation carried out over more than five years.

The cement works was the largest employer in Weardale with 147 workers at the time of its closure. The closure had a significant impact on the economy of the remote dale. It is estimated that the new proposals will generate more than 350 jobs. Electricity generated on the site will meet all the needs of the renewable energy village. Surplus electricity – equivalent to the requirements of the several thousand properties in the dale – is also to be exported from the site.

Subject to the granting of planning permission, Lafarge Cement, as its contribution to the regeneration of Weardale, is to give over the site free-of-charge to a not-for-profit body which will then oversee the implementation of the development plans and the subsequent running of the site.

For more information and to view the plans, go to: www.weardale-works.co.uk.

DLA are planning advisors to Sackville Developments (Reading) Limited in respect of a mixed use development proposal at Station Hill – Reading. The site is earmarked for major mixed use development and a cluster of towers in the Reading Central Area Action Plan. DLA have worked with the Sackville team, including architects Scott Brownrigg, to prepare a planning application for 132,000 square metres of mixed development comprising office, residential, retail, leisure, MRT stop and major public spaces. Reading Borough Council has resolved to grant planning consent for the scheme subject to the completion of a legal agreement and referral to the Government Office for the South East. The development is a catalyst project for the town that signifies its ambitions to become the capital of the Thames Valley and secure city status. The value of the project is over £400 million which complements the £450 million investment in capacity and signalling improvements to the adjacent Reading Station. Sackville Developments (Reading) limited also own the adjacent derelict Friars Walk shopping centre and will soon be bringing forward intergrated plans for this site which will further strengthen linkages between the Station to the town centre.

For for further information please refer to:-

http://www.stationhillreading.co.uk

As a result of the annual reviews, we are pleased to announce the following promotions:

Matthew Lappin - Senior Associate Urban Designer

Steve Haines - Senior Associate Urban Designer

Keith Brown - Principal Urban Designer

Darren Bell - Senior Associate Planner

Stefanie Goedecke - Senior Planner

Owen Pike - Planner

Mark Prestige - Associate Graphic Designer
Terry Holman - Principal Graphic Designer

Paul Farrell - Principal Graphic Designer

Adrian Webb - Principal CAD Designer

Dan Gates - Senior CAD Designer

Chris Powell - Graphic/CAD Designer

RUDI with the Academy of Urbanism launched the PLACEmaking booklet in February 2008 which seeks to publicise the very best in creating better living environments. Three projects selected from DLA’s portfolio were considered to be exemplary in defining a new standard in design and these include Brooklands [p15], Cranbook [p17] and Hampton [p28]. DLA’s experienced team of planners and designers continue to develop innovative and creative solutions for today’s urban environments.

For further information please refer to:-

http://www.rudi.net

http://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk

DLA have been working with Corby Borough Council (CBC), Bee Bee Developments and residents for over 2 years on the redevelopment of the Kingswood estate, a large local authority housing area in Corby, Northants. The master plan is part of Corby Borough Council’s strategy to regenerate the town. Large scale investment is already underway in the town centre with the construction of new civic buildings and leisure facilities. Land Securities have also signalled their confidence in Corby by developing Willow Place, a brand new shopping centre in the town centre.

DLA were commissioned to prepare a 10 year master plan which has been developed through extensive consultation with residents and key stakeholders. The master plan was launched during a marquee event attended by residents, council officers, the Minister for the East Midlands, local politicians as well as members of the design team on 15th February 2008. There now follows a 4 week further consultation period where residents can have their input into the design proposals. The master plan is accompanied by a comprehensive development appraisal (co-produced by sub-consultants Turner Morum) that has been used by CBC as part of their decision making process. The development appraisal not only looks at the costing for Kingwood but also the other regeneration initiatives within Corby and has been a key point of reference for Corby Borough Council.

DLA’s involvement in the master plan preparation has also included preparing a detailed planning application for Phase 1A which went out to tender to interested developers. DLA were design advisors to CBC as part of the tender process which eventually selected Haslam Homes Ltd who are to build the first 45 new dwellings as part of Phase 1A. DLA have also prepared detail Design Guidance for Phase 1B.

DLA are also retained as design advisors on other detailed matters related to the construction of new dwellings as part of the first phases and are advising CBC on programme and future project work.

To view the master plan, launch photographs and further information, please click on the links below.

http://www.corby.gov.uk

Kingswood plan and photographs

David Lock Associates has completed the next step of a regeneration master plan for the Suffolk coastal town of Felixstowe.

The Felixstowe Seafront & Town Centre Master Plan (2007) builds upon the findings of DLA’s previous commission A Local Strategy for the Felixstowe Peninsula (2006) by considering the context of Felixstowe within the wider area, and using this data to shape the vision for the town and seafront. The vision is accompanied by the identification of twenty six projects that will enable the vision to be realised on the ground. The projects range from ‘quick wins’ such as public realm improvements on the Hamilton Road high street and the conversion of beach shelters into promenade cafés, to medium term projects including the revitalisation of the town’s central public space ‘The Triangle, and longer term projects such as creating new, viable, seaside attractions such as Seafront Winter Gardens and a Water Sports Centre.

Following the production of the Felixstowe Seafront and Town Centre Master Plan significant progress has already been made in the next step, to secure funding to enable the delivery of some of the proposals. Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC) has committed funds to begin to deliver the preferred projects via the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) scheme. Funding requests have already been made to the Department of Communities and Local Government for three projects under the Haven Gateway Partnership. Talks have already been held with other European partnerships to see if a potential joint scheme would meet the criteria for gaining European funding.

Please click here to read the full press release and follow links to related websites.

Brierley Hill in Dudley Borough has been designated as a town centre, through the final approval of a revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands. This is a remarkable and unprecedented achievement for the team working on one of David Lock Associates’ longest running and most controversial of projects. Work is now progressing on implementation of the ambitions master plan for the new town centre, through an Area Action Plan.

David Lock Associates has started 2008 with some new management roles.

The Company is now big enough that the roles of Chairman and Managing Director have been split.

Prof David Lock CBE continues as the Company Chairman, allowing him more time to focus on planning consultancy and projects. Lawrence Revill takes over from David as Managing Director, assuming responsibility for the day-to-day management of the company. Will Cousins is the Deputy Chairman.

Making Places has agreed to develop a new sustainable community in Milton Keynes. ‘Brooklands’, the 365 acre site on the eastern edge of the town will represent a significant boost to the Government’s growth aspirations for Milton Keynes and provide a range of housing and community facilities.  The development will include a choice of new homes, local employment opportunities, health and community services, two new schools, and local shopping and entertainment facilities. 

Construction work is expected to commence in March 2008 with the first new homes available as early as Spring 2009.

The planning and master planning work has been carried out by David Lock Associates who will be continuing in that role for the implementation of the scheme.

If you would like to view the full press release, click here.

Sunderland City Council and Sunderland arc have launched the city’s draft Urban Design Strategy for public consultation.

The Strategy has been prepared by David Lock Associates and is the culmination of a 10 month project to draw together an overarching strategic design document covering the central area of the city.  DLA have worked closely with the City Council, Sunderland arc and other stakeholders to define a clear structure for the city around which specific proposals for the public realm and key regeneration sites can be bought forward.  The Strategy will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document early in 2008 following consideration of consultation comments. 

David Lock Associates, Roger Tym and Partners, i-Transport and Arup’s have joined forces to prepare an outline planning application for submission by Hull Citybuild for the second phase of the development at Humber Quays as part of the delivery of the City Centre master plan.  This builds upon work undertaken by David Lock Associates in the preparation of the Hull Fruit Market CPO master plan.

It is proposed that phase two of Humber Quays will include a range of office buildings providing up to 20,650m² commercial office space, a stunning waterfront restaurant, a 200 bed hotel, approximately 32 further residential apartments, a second multi-storey car park, high quality landscaping and extension to the riverside promenade and an extension of the flood defence wall to the estuary frontage.

Subject to planning approval, it is estimated that construction of the essential site preparation and infrastructure works will commence on site in the autumn of 2008.

If you would like further information, click here.

Throughout the month of November, 16 eager, hirsute men from David Lock Associates, DLA Architects and Integrated Transport Planning will be taming their moustaches as part of Movember, a charity event held during the month of November that aims to raise awareness of men’s health issues. 

Along the way they will be raising money for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

If you wish to sponsor the Top Lip Locks or learn more about Movember, visit www.movember.com/uk/home/ and enter our registration number: 144571.

BT has unveiled a new vision prepared by David Lock Associates for the future of Adastral Park, its main research and development (R&D) centre in the UK and one of the most important centres for communications technology in the country.
The vision sets out proposals for regenerating and re-investing in the park, together with expansion and development of new facilities, including a Suffolk Innovation Park, new university accommodation, and new homes.

If you would like to view the full press release, click here.

At the Growth Areas Summit in Reading on the 23rd July 2007 Professor David Lock CBE MRTPI, Chair of the TCPA, launched the Eco-towns Prospectus.  The Eco-towns Prospectus is helping to deliver a step change in the quality and availability of homes for the people of England.

Please follow this link to view David’s paper on the initial scoping report by the TCPA presented at the Summit.  

How do you top being honoured by the Queen?  That was the dilemma facing the staff and trustees of Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre as they juggled different ideas to honour their chairman, David Lock, who has been in office as long as the organisation itself and recently went to Buckingham Palace to receive a CBE.  Well, it was suggested, why not rename the organisation’s building in his honour?

Please follow this link to view full press release. 

As part of a cultural shift that is taking place across the health and urban design agendas, Sport England has recognised the potential for creating healthier communities through promoting good design.  Active Design, produced in two phases by David Lock Associates on behalf of Sport England, outlines key objectives for promoting participation in sports and physical activity such as walking and cycling through the design and layout of development.  Detailed criteria-based design guidance has now been produced to ensure that new environments offer straightforward opportunities for communities to be naturally active as part of everyday life.  The guidance has been aimed at all those involved in the master planning of new developments to be used as an assessment tool for the design and evaluation of proposals.

DLA and Sport England’s work on Active Design has been endorsed by the Minister for Sport and Minister of State for Public Health, supported by CABE, the Department of Health, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and has also been shortlisted for the 2007 RTPI Planning Awards.

David Lock received his CBE from HRH Prince of Wales on the 4th May at an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace for “services to town and country planning”.

As a result of our Annual Review procedure, the company has been strengthened by the following promotions:

• Andrew Wintersgill is promoted to Senior Associate and Wei Yang is promoted to Associate
• Peter Chambers and Helen Locke are promoted to Principal Planners
  
• Adrian Webb is promoted to Senior CAD Consultant, and Max Walton is promoted to Senior Planner.