www.iceniprojects.com
An Introduction to Iceni Projects Project Showcase
Where those in property and development come for commercially-minded, strategic advice and results.
Iceni Projects launched our Manchester Office in late 2016. In a short time, we have become a trusted advisor to a broad range of clients, including housebuilders, strategic land promoters, commercial, industrial and logistics developers, across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Iceni Manchester is a growing team of planning specialists. A team that prides itself on being commercial, intelligent, dynamic, progressive, collaborative, and ambitious. A team that enjoys what it does and the company it keeps.
At Iceni Projects our focus is people. Our clients, the local authorities we work with, the communities we talk to.
We’re here to ensure that we contribute to creating and improving places, by great people, for great people. We are passionate about what we do for our clients. Our relationships are built on trust, togetherness, enthusiasm and a courage to challenge where we believe it benefits our clients.
Formed in 2005, Iceni is now the market leader and preferred consultancy for a fast-growing number of clients. From our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester, we deliver on a variety of schemes across the UK.
We have always sought to provide the “skills of a planner with the instincts of a developer”. The technical specialisms that the company hold have widened, but this fundamental objective remains the same. We are committed to putting our client’s interests first – and providing them with the tools to significantly improve their performance.
We achieve this by knowing our tradecraft – the technical skills that come through years of education and on-the- job experience that is recognised by professional accreditation. But it is also daring to be different; being proactive and thinking strategically. Our client relationships are built on trust, togetherness, enthusiasm, and a courage to challenge, where appropriate.
We are able to provide specialist advice in the fields of archaeology, built heritage & townscape; design; economics; engagement; iceni futures; impact management; place; planning and transport. Our team are talented, relentless, intelligent, bold and experienced. Individually or collectively, you’ll know when you’re with Iceni Projects.
We have considerable experience of working on commercial, residential and community-led projects across the UK; ranging from smaller boutique firms through to large scale estate regeneration projects.
Your Strategic Adviser
Birmingham The Colmore Building 20 Colmore Circus Birmingham, B4 6AT T: 0121 262 4148
Edinburgh 7 Alva Street Edinburgh, EH2 4PH T: 0131 370 3486
Glasgow
201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW T: 0141 465 4996
London Da Vinci House 44 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH T: 020 3640 8508
Manchester Dalton Place 29 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6FW T: 0161 509 2840
The Team Structure of Iceni
Ian Anderson Chief Executive
Andrew Gale Chief Operating Officer
James Bompas Director | Business Devt. & Strategic Planning
ARCHAEOLOGY
Claire Cogar Director
BUILT HERITAGE & TOWNSCAPE
Laurie Handcock Director
Nick Walker Director
DESIGN
Jonathan Stewart Director
Paul Drew Director
ECONOMICS
Nick Ireland Director
Matt Kinghan Director
Paul McColgan Director
ENGAGEMENT & PLACE
Gemma Gallant Director
Philippa Curran Director
IMPACT MANAGEMENT
James Jaulim Director
LANDSCAPE
Silke Gruner Director
PLANNING
Callum Fraser Director
Chris Jones Director
Kieron Hodgson Director
Leona Hannify Director
Lewis Westhoff Director
Lorna O’Carroll Director
Nick Grant Director
Simon Fowler Director
TRANSPORT
Clive Burbridge Director
Gary Mappin Director
Ian Gallacher Director
Ian Mayhead Director
James Waterhouse Director
Jamie Sullivan Director
John Mumby Director
Fred Peters Director
Mike England Director
Rob Amey Director
Beehive Mill Manchester
Authority: Manchester City Council
Proposal: Refurbishment of a Grade II* Listed building to incorporate high quality office space and a training centre for the Princes Trust.
Services: Planning | Built Heritage & Townscape
Status: Completed
Iceni Planning and Heritage were appointed by Urban Splash to lead the redevelopment of its Grade II* Listed Building, Beehive Mill, located in the historic Ancoats area of Manchester.
After years of poor treatment, it was the vision of Urban Splash to bring the Beehive Mill back to its former glory through a sensitive restoration programme. Their aim was to see the building become a hub for a variety of small and medium businesses in the renovated upper floors as well as a home for the Princes Trust North West branch on the ground and first floor.
Since its construction in the 1820’s, the building has been host to a variety of occupiers including cotton spinners, corn millers and dry soap manufacturers, Sankeys Soap. Famously taking its name from the soap producers there before them, a legendary Manchester nightclub was later established in the basement of the Beehive and ‘Sankeys’ the brand was born. For many years, the location of Sankeys was unrivalled in the Manchester music scene and it was known as one of the coolest venues in the city.
Taking this into consideration, Iceni’s approach was to work closely with the project managers, Turner & Townsend, and the architects, Maurice Shapero Studios; Bradley McClure and Reform Landscape Architects, to ensure that whilst the proposals for the site preserved the essence of the Beehive’s exciting history, they prioritised restoring a building which had been poorly mistreated for decades. The restoration is now complete and the building is home to a variety of fantastic businesses and the Princes Trust.
Circle Court
Stretford
Authority: Trafford Council
Proposal: Redevelopment of vacant brownfield land for the erection of a seven storey, 147 bedroom hotel
Services: Planning | Sustainable Development
Status: Approved
Iceni’s Manchester office were instructed by Create Developments to prepare and submit a planning application to transform a vacant site in close proximity to the Trafford Centre into a high quality 147 bedroom hotel.
The scheme, which was unanimously approved at planning committee in March 2021, will deliver 147 bedrooms across seven storeys, along with a reception hub, restaurant, a fitness suite and flexible communal areas including relaxed seating areas, dining areas and meeting pods. The proposed development will be constructed by Create Developments on behalf of the Hampton by Hilton brand.
After an earlier proposal for a nine storey hotel was refused in September 2020, Iceni worked alongside the Council and project team to improve the design of the scheme and resolve highway concerns, comprehensively addressing the three reasons for refusal. The new scheme now includes recesses, reveals and the introduction of red brick, helping the building to sit within its context. A higher number of trees have also been retained and the parking provision is in accordance with the Council’s parking standards.
As well as adding to the buoyancy of the local economy in South Manchester, the development also seeks to better the surroundings by comprehensively redeveloping a vacant parcel of land and providing additional car parking bays for residents of the neighbouring Circle Court tower block managed by Trafford Housing Trust. Iceni were therefore also responsible for preparing the planning application to secure the provision of those parking bays in tandem to the hotel, to ensure that this priority for residents was fulfilled before construction of the hotel commences. Iceni worked collaboratively and strategically with both Create Developments and the Trafford Housing Trust to ensure that both the needs of the hotel occupier and neighbouring residents were delivered.
Stadium for West Cumbria
Allerdale Authority: Allerdale Borough Council
Proposal: Multipurpose SportsStadium
Services: Planning | Impact Management
Status: Ongoing
Iceni Projects were appointed to provide Planning services in support of Allerdale Borough Council’s proposal for the Stadium for West Cumbria; set to be the new home of Workington Town RLFC and Workington AFC.
The clubs’ existing stadiums, Derwent and Borough Park, have housed the clubs since their inception and as such are over 60 and 80 years’ old, respectively. Due to their age, both clubs are fighting to keep their stadiums in active use and approached the Council, their landlord, for assistance. There has been a long-standing vision to redevelop the town’s stadium as part of the Lower Derwent Valley leisure and recreation-led regeneration, and so the dual-purpose stadium proposal was born.
Iceni Projects were contracted to support with the application, engaging in earlier pre-application conversations with the Council’s planning department, the statutory consultees, and the public via a consultation event. These conversations aided in the shaping of the proposal, which comprises an 8,000-capacity stadium and outdoor training pitch, as well as a circa. 3000 sqm office for a large, regional employer; a hospitality / conference suite; and a primary healthcare facility.
Following the submission of the application, Iceni Projects are now currently managing the consultation responses and ongoing conversations between the project team and the Council’s planning department, to ensure the timely determination of the application.
Whitefield Drive
Kirkby
Authority: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Proposal: Full planning application for 266 mixed tenure homes at Whitefield Drive, Kirkby
Services: Planning | Sustainable Development
Status: Approved
Iceni’s Manchester office were instructed by Engie to prepare and submit a planning application to transform a derelict 16-acre site off Whitefield Drive, Kirkby.
The scheme, approved by Knowsley’s virtual planning committee in Summer 2020, will deliver 266 new homes, with a mix of private rent, affordable rent and shared ownership properties available. The proposed development will be constructed by Engie on behalf of registered provider Your Housing Group who will retain and manage the properties.
The site is located close to Kirkby Town Centre and is designated as a Development Opportunity Site, benefitting from its accessible location along with existing green space nearby. Through an extensive preapplication process including a Places Matter design review panel, the scheme has evolved and now includes a core set of design themes that have been closely adhered to across the entire site. For example, the inclusion of taller buildings to the site perimeter, coherent street edges to aid legibility, and distinct landmarks at key junctions helps create a sense of place and destination. The scheme is unified and cohesive through the design of nine house types, which will be combined in various ways to produce a range of semi-detached and terraced options.
Ultimately, the plans focus on creating a new family orientated community with a range of homes for all ages, helping with the continued rejuvenation of the wider area of Kirkby and Knowsley, while also complementing the regeneration of Kirkby town centre.
Richmond Street Manchester
Authority: Manchester City Council
Proposal: City Centre Town Houses
Services: Planning
Status: Completed (Development Commenced)
Iceni’s Manchester team secured consent for a new townhouse development on Richmond Street, next to Canal Street, for the innovative and highly successful developer, Watch This Space. The scheme involved the comprehensive redevelopment of a derelict site to create seven three-bed townhouses with integral garages and one two bed maisonette apartment.
The site is narrow and highly constrained; Iceni had to work collaboratively with the architect, Snook, to realise the development potential and come up with effective solutions to a number of challenges.
The Richmond Street Townhouses are some of the first of their kind in Manchester City Centre, offering accommodation suitable for families, disrupting traditional city centre living and paving the way for more innovative city centre schemes.
Bridge Street Manchester
Authority: Manchester City Council
Proposal: Mixed use scheme incorporating high quality offices, a café, roof garden and two townhouses
Services: Planning
Status: Completed
Iceni secured consent for high quality offices, a café, roof garden and two-family sized town houses on Bridge Street, Manchester.
This mixed-use scheme incorporates a bold floral mosaic façade which was subject to an additional separate planning application. The design drew on other unique historic façade designs for inspiration including mosaics from the Arts and Crafts Movement.
The scheme subsequently became the first tiled building in this part of the city and has received widespread praise for its unique modern design which has dramatically enlivened the street scene.
We look forward to working with Watch This Space again in the future, to bring more redundant buildings and spaces into use with a fresh approach to the possibilities available.
Euro Garages, Cronton Road
Huyton
Authority: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Proposal: Submission of a reserved matters application for a Euro Garages petrol filling station, associated retail units and a coffee shop with drive-thru.
Services: Planning
Status: Approved
The scheme, approved by delegated decision in October 2020, will ensure the delivery of Phase Two of the wider Cronton Road development which secured planning permission in late 2019. Phase One of the site, which is an Aldi food store has already been delivered after Iceni Projects successfully discharged all planning conditions allowing an efficient start on site by contractor, Barnfield Construction.
Euro Garages has established itself as one of the UK’s fastest growing and most recognisable forecourt operators, with an expanding portfolio of around 4500 sites across the UK, mainland Europe, the USA and Australia. Taking advantage of the site’s strategic location by Junction 6 of the M62, the development will allow Euro Garages to provide a world class fuel, convenience, food and drink offer that exceeds the expectations of the modern consumer in Knowsley.
Iceni worked collaboratively with Euro Garages, Henry Boot Barnfield and technical consultants to prepare and submit the planning application and respond to the challenging constraints of the site including highways design and noise mitigation. After liaising and negotiating with Knowsley Council to ensure the scheme met all of their requirements, the application has been approved and Phase Two will now be delivered over the coming months as further planning conditions are discharged.
Prospect House SEND School
Greater Manchester
Authority: Manchester City Council
Proposal: Specialist Primary Free School
Services: Planning
Status: Completed
Iceni Projects worked on behalf of Interserve Construction to bring forward a planning application that sought to redevelop the site of a former vacant school in Higher Blackley, demolishing the existing buildings and providing a modern fit for purpose special primary Free School.
Iceni Projects led a large project team across a six-month period, preparing the planning application and hosting a public consultation event across two days to engage the community with the proposals.
The school includes a one-storey building, external play areas, and car parking facilities, as well as a range of therapy and sensory spaces and a hydrotherapy pool, which will be available for hire by the local community.
Prospect House Primary Specialist Support School is a Local Authority commissioned special primary Free School. This is a specialist support school for children with severe or profound learning difficulties and associated additional needs. The development of the school will therefore address the increasing demand for Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) school places in the county and provide employment opportunities for local people across a range of roles, including specialist teachers and support staff.
Construction work is anticipated to commence in 2020 with the school due to open in the following September.
Middlewood Locks Waterside Neighbourhood
Salford
Authority: Salford City Council
Proposal: Mixed use site
Services: Planning
Status: Completed
Iceni Projects have advised Get Living on multiple assets within their Middlewood Locks scheme.
Middlewood Locks is a unique new neighbourhood spreading across 25 acres close to Salford Central railway station, combining city living, green space and a range of commercial opportunities.
Iceni Projects have advised Get Living on the introduction of the Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse within Middlewood Locks. This is the brand’s second Beerhouse in Greater Manchester and provides a unique venue for craft beer lovers to enjoy a pint.
Iceni have also assisted Get Living on the creation of their residential management suite which provides on-site resident support, as well as amenity spaces and landscaping across the site.
Housing & Economic Development Needs Assessment
Blackburn with Darwen & Hyndburn
Authority: Blackburn with Darwin and Hyndburn Councils
Proposal: Housing and Economic Needs Assessment
Services: Economics
Status: Complete (now updating)
Iceni directors formerly produced the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) for the East Lancashire authorities of Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn.
The area had suffered from intermittent population decline as employment opportunities in nearby Cities had attracted much of the younger age population. As a result, the area had negative demographic and baseline employment projections.
However, the area did have significant investment including the Lancashire Growth Deal and through the Strategic Economic Plan as well as other sites keen to harness the nearby motorway network.
The HEDNA examined the combined potential from these investments on the demand for employment land and subsequent housing need.
Housing & Employment Assessment and Strategic Distribution Needs
Liverpool City Region
Authority: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Proposal: Housing & Employment Assessment and Strategic Distribution Needs
Services: Economics
Status: Completed
Iceni directors formerly produced the Liverpool City Region Strategic Housing and Employment Land Market Assessment (SHELMA) establishing the core housing and employment evidence for the authorities across the city region, working with the combined authority.
Further to this, given the high level of forecast need for strategic warehousing sites, assessments were carried out of distribution sites across the City Region including in the green belt, ensuring a current and future supply of sites to meet expanding needs particularly arising from the expanding Liverpool2 Port.
Chris Jones Director, Planning
T: 0161 509 2840
M: 07384 543 690
E: cjones@iceniprojects.com
Chris builds excellent working relationships with clients by securing planning permission in challenging scenarios.
Chris joined Iceni Projects in 2019 as a Director in Manchester, bringing with him over 20 years of experience and a detailed knowledge of the planning system.
With a particular focus on mixed use, office, residential and logistics development, Chris provides strategic advice and leads on complex cases, including the redevelopment of listed buildings and Green Belt releases.
Chris’ clients value his honest approach, returning time and again for planning advice on prospective new projects.
Chris started his career at Halton Borough Council, working his way up to Senior Planning Officer before moving over to the private sector in 1998, when he worked for Chesterton, Matthews & Goodman, Cushman & Wakefield, having most recently completed a 10 year stint as Director at NJL Consulting.
Advising on stakeholder management and politics alongside planning, Chris understands the commercial realities of development and adds value to all projects that he is involved in.
Gary Mappin Regional Director
T: 0161 509 2840
M: 07798 708 549
E: gmappin@iceniprojects.com
Gary operates at the forefront of town planning to unlock value for clients
Gary is a skilled planning consultant with over 25 years of experience advising clients in the private and public sector throughout Scotland. He has a track record in advising on major development proposals, understanding the policy and detailed planning considerations and forming highly constructive working relationships with local planning authorities and other stakeholders.
Gary set up Mappin Consulting Ltd in 2013, having previously been the Regional Senior Director for GVA Grimley in Glasgow from 2005 to 2008. In June 2016 Gary opened the first regional Iceni Projects office in Glasgow, followed by Manchester in 2017. Iceni Projects was the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Planning Consultancy of the Year in 2016.
Gary is chairman of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Commercial Property Forum and is a Trustee of The Crichton Trust, an award winning regeneration project based at the former Crichton Royal Hospital complex in Dumfries He also sits on Glasgow City Council’s City Centre Strategy Board.
Gary is currently advising on major projects such as Moda Living’s Holland Park buildfor- rent development in Glasgow, and the proposed Rosewood Hotel at the former Royal High School in Edinburgh.
Justine Entezari Associate Director, Planning
T: 0161 509 2840
M: 07817 766 294
E: jentezari@iceniprojects.com
Justine brings a wealth of knowledge and a positive attitude to planning projects.
Justine joined Iceni Projects in October 2018 as an Associate in the Manchester office, having spent the previous eight years working her way up through the ranks at a Manchester based planning consultancy. With a commercial focus to her advice, Justine builds strong relationships with clients, adding value to projects.
Since graduating in Urban Studies and Planning from the University of Sheffield in 2011, Justine has worked on a diverse range of schemes, with a key focus on delivering housing and mixed use development on both greenfield and brownfield sites.
Working across all stages of the planning process, from initial advice to the coordination of large complex projects, Justine is proficient in managing technical consultants, preparing detailed reports, attending consultation events, and negotiating with stakeholders. Justine has extensive experience in planning applications, appeals and site promotion work.
Paul Chandler-King Planner
T: 0161 509 2840
M: 07747 157 274
E: PChandlerKing@iceniprojects.com
Paul joined Iceni’s Strategic Planning Team in April 2019, assisting the team on a range of projects ; primarily largescale residential-led and mixeduse schemes across the country, undertaking a range of development management practice as well as soft promotion of land through the Local Plans system .
Before joining Iceni, Paul gained just over 18 months experience at a Planning Consultancy in West London working on householder projects and small commercial schemes across London. He did this whilst completing a BSc in Property and Planning at the University of Westminster; which he has recently completed.
Being a RICS accredited course it has provided Paul with an awareness of the commercial impacts associated with property development, in addition to a sound planning background. Paul is now working to achieve Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Lucy Furber Senior Planner
T: 0161 509 2840
M: 07825 517 718
E: lfurber@iceniprojects.com
Lucy is passionate about innovative urban regeneration and place making strategies capable of revitalising inner city areas.
Lucy initially joined Iceni on a part time basis whilst pursuing a Masters at the University of Manchester. Having graduated with a Distinction in Urban Regeneration & Development (MSc) in 2019, she now supports the team on a wide range of projects, including residential and commercial schemes throughout the North West.
Most recently, Lucy has assisted with the preparation of planning applications for two SEND schools as well as preparing representations to the development of Local Plans. Lucy also undertakes detailed planning appraisals and planning policy reviews to assist clients with their investment decisions.
Lucy has a keen interest in the development of co-living and student accommodation schemes, particularly in Manchester.
She is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Member of the RTPI.
Nick Ireland Director, Economics
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07917 417 834
E: nireland@iceniprojects.com
Nick provides robust technical expertise to support strategic planning and site promotion.
Nick specialises in providing advice on strategic planning and economic development issues including employment land and economic impact, housing need and five year housing land supply, feasibility studies and subregional spatial planning. He regularly acts as an expert witness at inquiries and local plan examinations. Before joining Iceni, Nick led GL Hearn’s Economics Team.
Nick has advised councils at a sub-regional level on strategic growth opportunities, including urban extensions, new settlements and strategic infrastructure. He led preparation of a Birmingham HMA Strategic Housing Study which encompassed a strategic review of Birmingham’s Green Belt; a Spatial Position Statement for the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), and has work with other local authorities in Buckinghamshire, Kent and Sussex to assess potential locations for, and the feasibility of new settlements and large urban extensions.
He regularly provides expert witness advice on objectively-assessed housing need and five year land supply, and has led preparation of strategic housing market assessments for areas right across England. His expertise includes advising on housing mix issues and older persons housing and care needs.
The Sustainable Development Scorecard
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has running throughout it the ‘golden thread of sustainable development’. In spite of this, there is no clear-cut, NPPF-based assessment criteria to consider a site or project’s sustainable development credentials, making current assessment processes both tricky and subjective.
The Sustainable Development Commission was established to address this recognised issue with our planning system. Made up of a balanced cross-section of industry professionals, the Commission has debated the issues and found solutions, culminating in the creation of the Sustainable Development Scorecard.
The Scorecard website is free to use and accessible to anyone with a vested interest in development, including developers, architects, planners, community groups and members of the public. By crystallising the NPPF’s guidance into a simple, online analysis tool, the Commission aims to provide a more consistent approach to sustainable development, leading to a more sustainable built environment. www.thescorecard.org.uk
Birmingham: The Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham B4 6AT
Edinburgh: 7 Alva Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4PH
Glasgow: 201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW
London: Da Vinci House, 44 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH
Manchester: WeWork, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6FW
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