Excitedly, we’ve assisted in submitting the new sixth form building scheme at a London secondary school for planning approval. The land includes Green Belt Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Collaborating on the design, we helped develop a ‘needs’ case, gaining Planning Authority support through two rounds of pre-application advice and consultation. The planners agreed that the benefits outweighed any harm to the MOL, and that they were supportive in principle. This is a great example of how a clear and patient strategy has achieved a positive outcome for our clients.

Since receiving this positive feedback, there has been an incredibly quick turnaround to prepare a planning application to meet funding requirements.

Our involvement to date…

To meet the tight deadline for the Condition Improvement Funding, Jackson Purdue Lever collaborated efficiently with Thinking Buildings. Developing structural and civil proposals that considered site and planning restrictions.

The proposed structure features a hot rolled steel frame, creating spacious areas for a new canteen and classrooms. It also supports various frontages with masonry, glazed, and cladded elements. Coordination with the architect, done within limited time, aimed at cost reduction and seamless integration with the adjacent structure.

Adhering to strict requirements from North London planning authorities, drainage proposals navigated challenges posed by the small site area and a significant level drop to the rear. Solutions included attenuation systems beneath paved areas and meticulous level design. Addressing existing drainage networks, some required careful re-routing to avoid the building’s footprint.