Steven Abbott Associates - Chartered Town Planners

News

Steven Abbott Associates Expands with Key Appointments
Steven Abbott Associates (SAA) has further enhanced its planning team with two key appointments and the creation of a new graduate position.

Jonathan Smith and Keith Jones have joined from GVA Grimley, where they were employed as a partner and senior planner respectively. Prior to that, they both worked in Savills’ planning development consultancy team, where Smith held a director role. Both have broad planning expertise, specialising in retail planning; already a key sector for SAA, which counts Booths and Maple Grove Developments as long standing clients.

In addition to retained commissions for national food and non-food retailers, property funds and developers, Smith has undertaken numerous retail and leisure assessments for local and county planning authorities and regional assemblies. He is currently leading a number of ‘Sports Village’ proposals in the UK. Jones meanwhile, has advised on a number of major planning applications and disputes on behalf of clients across the public and private sectors, including the co-ordination of multi-disciplinary teams and attendance as an expert witness at public inquiries.

The graduate position has been taken by Harry Tonge, who joined SAA following a successful work placement.

The trio’s appointment at SAA follows another successful year for the practice, which saw the expansion of its Wigan head offices in Appley Bridge hot on the heels of a relocation of its serviced facilities to the refurbished Peter House in Manchester City Centre. A similar base is due to open in Liverpool in the spring. Partner Steven Abbott said: “The appointments are good news for the practice and our clients, allowing us to offer a wider range of services and provide analytical and retail assessment expertise in-house. This is already proving to be a busy year, with a number of our clients moving forward with major new schemes. We have additional expansion plans in the pipeline and look forward to making further announcements soon.”

Steven Abbott Associates Secures Planning Permission for Hilda Street
Steven Abbott Associates (SAA) has secured planning permission for a nursing home for older people in Hilda Street, Leigh.

The permission was granted by Wigan Council’s planning department for the two storey building, which together with the usual ancillary facilities, such as lounges, kitchens, laundry rooms and staff facilities, will provide care and accommodation for 48 residents.

Negotiating on behalf of Hilda Street Properties Limited, SAA was able to satisfy original concerns expressed by local residents and councillors, and presented a strong case for the positive visual effect that the development would have on to the local area.

SAA Partner, Richard Percy comments “We are skilled in preparing and managing planning applications, to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients and the local community. We have undertaken thorough negotiations with consultants, architects and the local planning authority to ensure that all requirements have been met, and all concerns answered. The care home will assist in meeting an increasing need for the provision of care for older people in Wigan, and its location will ensure that residents are able to fully integrate into the local community.”

Steven Abbott Secures Certificate of Lawfulness for Client
Steven Abbott Associates (SAA) has secured the granting of a Certificate of Lawfulness from Lancaster City Council on behalf of Coastal Medical Group.

The grant will allow Coastal Medical Group, the largest GP practice in the UK, to introduce a pharmacy dispensary into its main medical premises in Morecambe. The new pharmacy is likely to recruit a total of four staff and will be used for dispensing prescription drugs and medicines and the sale of over the counter medicines, as well as other health, medical and well-being products. Pharmacy staff will also be able to provide qualified in-house advice to patients on minor medical issues.

Negotiating on Costal Medical Group’s behalf, SAA was able to satisfy Lancaster City Council that the proposed addition to the centre was ancillary to the primary health care function of the practice, and that planning permission was therefore, not required.

SAA Partner, Alastair Skelton comments “Part of our role at Steven Abbott Associates is to prepare and manage a range of planning and other applications on behalf of clients, ensuring that all proposals are delivered in a thorough and comprehensive manner to maximise their chances of securing their desired outcome within realistic timescales. The introduction of the pharmacy and dispensary into the existing health centre will provide real benefits to patient services in terms of convenience and continuity of care and we are delighted that SAA has been able to secure the certificate of lawfulness on behalf of our client. ”

deniseb@abbott-associates.co.uk