This project involved the development of a vacant parcel of land within designated employment area within an identified employment area within the historic market town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire. Our clients approached us seeking advice on the development of the site wishing to establish a new business involving the provision of secure, self-storage units. Whilst the land in question was sited in the employment area and would likely be acceptable in principle, it was located at a prominent location at the edge of the employment area adjacent to existing playing fields. This gave the site a reasonably high degree of visual prominence and thus required careful consideration in respect to the siting, design and landscape screening of the proposed storage units.

Working with the designers White Brick Studios Ltd, a proposal was devised which was carefully set amongst the dual contexts of the employment land and the adjacent playing field. We subsequently worked closely with the planning officer during the determination period of the application in order to rationalise issues and, following some negotiations, the application was recommended for approval and ultimately approved by the Council’s Development Control Committee.