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A project blog for all that's new in planning

As a Cornwall-based consultancy, working across the region, Enhance has supported all sorts of interesting heritage and planning projects with a focus on self-build, housing, economic ventures, and environmental development. Here is a selection of projects we've worked on, alongside latest news and events.

Trelew Farmhouse
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BLOG: all that's new in planning

As a Cornwall-based consultancy, working across the region, Enhance has supported all sorts of interesting heritage and planning projects with a focus on self-build, housing, economic ventures, and environmental development. Here is a selection of projects we've worked on, alongside latest news and events.

Cornish house Trelew
Cornish house Trelew
Merry Maidens

We’re Still Standing

Andrew explores the mysteries of standing stones and how these ancient features were sustained through evolution, today showing us how early communities thrived by using the natural landscape to preserve collaborative memory and meaning.

Lead_Paint_-_cracking_and_flaking-1

What’s In Your Paint?

Alfie discusses historically important, but harmful, lead-based paint. This article considers the past use of the paint, and dispels some myths. It is based on Alfie’s research paper recently published in Studies in Conservation.

Alpha Cottage

Restoration in Gweek

Alfie discusses a recent project which won success in Gweek village to bring a Grade II listed 18th century cottage back to life. Negotiation with the county council and balanced decision-making were needed along the way.

Regent Square overview

A Regent Square Renovation

Alfie gives a compelling account of project success at Penzance where we focused on transforming a Grade II listed residence within a Victorian planned terrace – some intriguing revelations about the building’s history came to light.

Planning Validation

Validating Your Application

Missing or inadequate heritage statements are among the top 10 reasons planning applications are deemed unacceptable at submission. This short post gives information on how to get your planning application registered.

99 West Street, Penryn

Decoding Listed Buildings

In this blog post, Alfie Robinson discusses what listed building entries can tell us, what they are intended for, and what they can’t tell us. He guides us through a ‘worked example’ of a Grade II listed building in Penryn, Cornwall, UK.

Humanity and Technology

Planning Companion

Andrew shares his experiences using Bing’s AI interface and ChatGPT, impressed at the human-like intelligence, he questions their use to influence planning, with examples of the benefits and challenges of AI being used in society.

Roads

Significance in History

In Alfie Robinson’s first blog post, he shares the findings of his academic paper on medieval architecture and reflects on its implications in the heritage sector and the way in which practitioners have measured significance through history.

wind turbines

Renewable Energy

After a five-year lull, renewable energy is back on the agenda in a big way thanks to the Climate Emergency DPD. Here at Enhance we’re looking forward to getting involved with some exciting renewable energy projects in the near future.

windmill

Climate Emergency

Planning is a vital part of the solution to climate change. It can shape how we live, where we get our electricity from, how we travel, where we shop. Planning can be the driver in delivering carbon neutrality, and making the world around us a better place.

mullion

Young Housing

We are pleased to have helped gain planning permission on behalf of YMCA Cornwall for the change of use and conversion of the former Mullion Nursery into 7 units of self-contained accommodation to provide independent living for young people.

St Ives Skate Park Project

St Ives Skatepark

A dedicated community group has worked to regenerate a skatepark. With support from their Local Councils and Maverick, the build is well underway and will complete Spring 2021. From a community’s idea, to a world class skatepark, this is a phenomenal achievement.

Cornish house Trelew

Restoration at Trelew

Parts of Cornwall are truly inspiring. Trelew near Mylor is one of these places. As the influence for the idealic village from the hit British film Arthur Christmas, it’s always a treat to visit there for work. I was fortunate to head there today to see sensitive progress.

Skyburriowe photo

Historic Mill at Garras

This sought to reinstate a second storey, and provide attractive accommodation, retaining the rural and historic character of the site. We built a robust case at appeal, and secured a well-deserved win. We can’t wait to see Matt’s plans become a reality.

Appeal win Trevenen

Self-build Home

We recently helped secure a win at appeal for a self-build home working to make a local family’s dream a reality. We successfully built the case, working from a negative pre-application, giving the value of our hard work to inform and lead to a positive outcome.

Padstow appeal post

Sustainable Home

We were absolutely delighted to receive an appeal decision to allow a home to continue being built after works were stopped following an enforcement case. All involved naturally celebrated the positive outcome enabling the family to complete their home.

Newmill Walkers Retreat Natural Aesthetics

AONB Holidays

This one was a challenge, and every bit worth the hard work. Soon getting a start on site, the completed building will provide for active wellbeing holidays, especially for groups of walkers visiting the wonderful Penwith landscape.

Perranporth appeal

Tough Opposition!

Hard work paid off for this development when we succeeded at appeal against a lot of local opposition. Our proposal sought to redevelop a sustainably located plot in Perranporth to provide a family home on the site of a former pumping station.

Award winning development - 3 new homes

Award Winning Heritage

In 2020 this project received an award from the Cornish Buildings Group for its contribution to the World Heritage Site. I love working on challenging projects like this – an initial idea, brought to reality by an excellent team and an effective planning system

New Permitted Development Rights

Permitted Development

The government has recently extended permitted development rights for small scale developments., including new rights to allow changes in town centre uses from retail to office, marking a new shift supporting the vibrancy of shopping areas.

Coastline Housing - Homeless People's Project-2

Heritage & Housing

Coastline Housing has opened its new homeless centre near Heartlands in Pool. It’s a new purpose-built facility providing housing support in the local community. The project has been joint funded by Homes England and Cornwall Council.

Trecombe Lakes

Trecombe Lakes

This project is well underway with sustainable holiday lodges now being used and enjoyed. It was hugely challenging with all sorts of environmental constraints to enable the development to integrate with such a sensitive and valuable landscape.

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Professional Standards

Enhance is a team of professionals, qualified, trained and experienced, working diligently to deliver sustainable development. Our services are assured, with standards of work governed through accreditation from the highest ranking professional bodies.