Design by Hurd Rolland, Image by Shove Media

This scheme provides a new flagship court redevelopment on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, HMCS. The site, on Marylebone Road in City of Westminster, is in a prominent gateway position on a main arterial route into central London. It falls within the Portman Estate Conservation Area. Issues included: demolition of the existing court complex; making the most sustainable use of this previously developed site; integrating the new court within its contrasting setting, with a highly visible public entrance and a more private residential setting to the rear; and the need to meet our client’s specific operational requirements.

Services Provided
As well as planning expertise, DPP led a community consultation and stakeholder negotiation strategy that included the GLA, TFL, CABE and English Heritage. This took the form of pre-application engagement, including a series of meetings and presentations to key stakeholder groups and a public exhibition. The inclusive and responsive approach adopted towards consultation feedback was continued after the application was submitted. It helped secure widespread support for the project and written endorsement from CABE and English Heritage.

Achievements
DPP successfully acted as expert witnesses at a planning appeal inquiry against the City of Westminster’s failure to determine the application submission. The appeal was allowed and permission granted in March 2008. The inspector commented on the decision: “My conclusion is that this [proposed] building would indeed provide an unequivocal signal of its civic significance and the presence and stature of justice in the community. It would thus continue the longstanding judicial contribution of this site to the character of the area.”

DPP is now assisting with discharge of condition and other detailed matters. This has included sitting on an art selection panel to consider submissions for a new art feature, which is to help create a landmark of both the new court complex and this gateway location into central London.

Alongside the proposal was a linked scheme for residential development on part of the court site. DPP shadowed that process to protect the court’s interest, requiring close negotiation on detailed design. Guiding this project through planning required a clear understanding of: our client’s operational needs and civic importance; the aspirations of a breadth of interest groups; and the need to provide an appropriate new civic building within a mixed setting.This scheme has been designed to achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating.