Justification statements can be prepared to accompany planning applications relating to Historic & Listed buildings.

Recent Expert Witness and Historic Building/Conservation Area Consultancy Services by David Lewis

Conservation Area and Historic Building Expert advice followed by Proofs of Evidence and presentation associated with the Public Inquiry following Planning Refusal for Conservation Area Consent for Demolition of existing buildings and refusal of planning consent for the erection of a proposed residential development within the Granville Road Conservation Area, Sevenoaks, Kent. Peel Holdings (South) appointed David Lewis on the recommendation of the Planning Consultants, Cunnane Town Planning. The Q.C. was Brian Ash.

Scottish & Newcastle had been unable to obtain planning permission for an eighty six bedroom hotel on a landmark site on London Road in Nottingham and had lodged an appeal against the refusal. We were subsequently appointed by Scottish & Newcastle on the advice of Chapman Warren, Planning Consultants, to advise on a proposed Appeal and also to prepare new designs which would satisfy a very stringent planning authority with the hope of obtaining Planning Permission. Planning permission was obtained in just over three months following our appointment enabling the Appeal to be withdrawn.

We are currently advising Great Portland Estates on sensitive design issues in Westminster associated with Conservation Areas. We have also prepared the Justification Statement to accompany the Planning Application.

We provided expert advice to Clients, including Six Continents Retail Ltd (fomerly Bass Retail) with reference to proposals by Manchester City Council for the design of Exchange Square as part of the redevelopment of Manchester City Centre after the I.R.A. bomb, in order to ensure that our Clients' interests were fully protected.

Expert advice was provided to the solicitor owner of Belmont Hall in Staffordshire following concerns about poor workmanship and detailing when parts of the Palladian Villa were re-roofed.

We provided Expert Witness Services in the Wakefield v. Crossfield case concerning Asbestos in an old industrial building converted to modern use and rented to a client by Wakefield City Council. Wakefield City Council, the Plaintiffs, agreed to settle out of court in favour of our clients following the submission of our Expert Proof of Evidence. The solicitors who appointed us were Hartley & Worstenholme.

We were recently appointed by Romulus Construction Ltd. on the recommendation of Cunnane Town Planning to provide Expert Witness services for a public inquiry in connection with a proposed office development in the Hammersmith Broadway Conservation Area. We advised that minor alterations to the design may well overcome planning objections. Following implementation of the design changes and negotiations with planning officers the scheme was re-presented and obtained Planning Permission in October 2000 so avoiding a costly Public Inquiry.

Expert consultancy and preparation of the Justification Statement to accompany a Planning Application for converting a Brewing Tower dated 1830 to apartments within a Conservation Area in Sheffield involving controversial partial demolition. This forms part of a major redevelopment. Planning Permission was granted in July 2001.. Client:- J.F. Finnegan, Sheffield.

Expert Consultancy and Preparation of Proofs of Evidence for a Public Inquiry regarding redeveloping and Extending Britannia House, Beadon Street, Hammersmith, adjacent to the Hammersmith and Broadway Conservation Area. The Planning Authority has now indicated its willingness to accept the Proof of Evidence and grant Planning Permission. The Appeal has therefore been deferred awaiting the outcome. Client :- Romulus Construction Ltd, Hammersmith.
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