On behalf of Countryside Properties, tor&co working with HTA Design, secured unanimous approval at the London Borough of Barnet Planning Committee for the final phases of the Dollis Valley Estate regeneration. This comprises 223 homes and includes the creation of Dollis Brook Green which represents the largest area of public amenity space within the regeneration masterplan. 

Located on the northern outskirts of Chipping Barnet, near High Barnet, Dollis Valley originated as a post-war housing estate and was identified in the Council’s 2012 adopted Local Plan as a priority for regeneration. The design approach for the regeneration of the estate was based on garden suburb principles, with an emphasis on tree planting, pedestrian linkages through the estate connecting to surrounding areas, and a diverse range of house types. This Reserved Matters approval brings to a close what has been a long running project for tor&co, originating from the initial hybrid planning consent for 631 homes in 2013. With the first phases already completed and occupied, it has been exciting to see the vision for the regeneration of the estate coming to fruition.

Award-winning planning, design and environmental consultancy tor&co has established an employee-owned trust (EOT), giving its members of staff full and equal ownership of the company.

After 36 years in private ownership, owned substantially by the board, the directors decided an EOT structure was the best way to remain independent, better reward staff, maintain standards and ethics, and offer the best client care in the marketplace.

The directors wanted to secure a more sustainable succession strategy, removing financial barriers to future leadership, and embracing social enterprise and employee engagement in driving the business forward. An EOT structure offers the best-fit and an extension of the company’s existing inclusive characteristics, values, and culture.

Chairman Tim Hancock said, “The establishment of the EOT will provide comfort to clients regarding the long-term independence of tor&co whilst enabling employees to have collective control of their future, benefitting directly from the company’s success.”

Managing Director Jacqueline Mulliner said, “The EOT represents a fantastic legacy. All the current directors have been with the company for much of their careers and have appreciated the independence and support the company has been able to offer. Being able to secure these career opportunities for current and future staff is a significant moment in the company’s history and progression. Before finalising the EOT we spoke to our staff and gained unanimous support for the approach. Transition to an EOT is something of which we are all very proud.”   

The tor&co EOT will not alter the day-to-day management of the company, which will continue to be run by the board of directors. However, it provides assurance that the business will continue to be run by people with a passion for its quality and reputation, continuing to strive for excellence and success. 

tor&co is pleased to have assisted Pennyfarthing Homes achieve a resolution to grant full planning permission at New Forest District’s Planning Committee on 9 February 2022 for 64 homes and associated green infrastructure.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the scheme, considering it was a well thought out development, and would offer future residents a nice place to live. The scheme includes a mixture of homes, including 30% affordable provision.
 
tor&co was able to offer an interdisciplinary team comprising Planning, Architecture, Masterplanning, Landscape Architecture, Environment and Graphics to overcome issues and help in achieving the high quality scheme which was supported by the council.
 
This is the first phase of Strategic Site 17 (SS17), which was allocated for development in the New Forest District Local plan (adopted in 2020). tor&co are continuing to work with Pennyfarthing Homes to progress their applications on the southern part of the SS17 allocation, as well as SS18 in Fordingbridge, and elsewhere in the district.

tor&co has contributed to key findings in a significant report published today by the UK Green Buildings Council.
 

UKGBC’s new report, titled ‘Building the Case for Net Zero: A case study for low carbon residential developments’, uses the case study of Trumpington South, Cambridgeshire, for which tor&co were architects and masterplanners. 
 

The study demonstrates how housing developers can achieve a 20% embodied carbon reduction across low-rise residential developments through simple masterplan-level design interventions, which tor&co were able to contribute to, showing these steps were both cost-effective and achievable today.

The full report can be downloaded here.

As part of continuing expansion plans, tor&co has moved its Birmingham team to new office premises at 3 Edmund Gardens on Edmund Street. 

The office is around the corner from the previous office but has a much larger capacity, offering increased space and additional facilities.

As part of this planned growth, Tom Ryan has joined the team as a Senior Planner. Tom comes from Coventry City Council and is already working on some high profile projects in the West Midlands and throughout the UK.

tor&co has helped Bloor Homes secure planning consent for 800 homes on Land East of Horndean. The permitted development will also provide employment, a primary school, local centre, a community building and biodiversity enhancement. tor&co provided planning, EIA, landscape architecture and heritage advice.