12/08/2026
6 months into planning, negotiations had stalled. Then we were brought in.
Our client is developing 7 flats above a commercial property in Derby City Centre Conservation Area.
But there was a problem.
The replacement of the existing upper-floor windows had become the subject of detailed discussions with Planning and Heritage Officers — and after six months, the application had reached a standstill.
Our job was to unlock it.
We took over, identified what was preventing the scheme from gaining officer support and developed a detailed window strategy balancing heritage significance, architectural appearance, residential performance and buildability.
That meant working through the detail:
• Retaining and repairing important historic windows
• Developing appropriate heritage replacement windows
• Protecting decorative and stained-glass features
• Resolving secondary glazing
• Providing detailed window schedules and specifications
• Addressing acoustic and ventilation requirements
• Giving officers the evidence needed to support the scheme
Following further engagement and revisions, planning permission was secured. ✓
For property investors, planning delays aren’t just frustrating — they can have a real impact on the viability and delivery of a development.
Got a planning application that’s going nowhere?
Get in touch.