Richmond & Hillcroft Adult &
Community College, Surbiton
Education & training
We have a diverse education and training sector track record comprising projects for academies, primary schools, secondary schools and higher education colleges for both mainstream and specialist provision.
Working on behalf of local authorities and private education providers, our projects include new build facilities, replacement facilities, extension and refurbishment as well as relocation and rationalisation projects. These buildings can often be listed, requiring the expertise of our heritage experts to guide the evolution of the proposals and ensure the best possible chances of securing listed building consent. We also provide planning advice on permitted development rights which exist to allow greater flexibility for schools, colleges and universities to extend and provide new buildings without planning permission.
Leading a project from inception to completion, we manage the pre-application and planning application submissions and discussions, facilitate community engagement events and undertake post decision work with applications for amendments and discharge of conditions where necessary.
Our approach is to identify a robust planning strategy at an early stage taking into account often very challenging delivery programmes. Where relevant, we liaise closely with Department for Education planning advisors and in all cases work proactively and collaboratively with the Local Planning Authority to reduce pre-commencement conditions before determination to ensure a timely start on site.
