Planning for the future

CDN Planning seeks to provide specialist planning and development skills and to apply that expertise to improve our towns, villages and rural areas.

Since the company’s formation some 15 years ago, we have seen a steady and sustainable growth in our workload and this has led to the opening of our Conway office in 2005 and the Cardiff office in 2006. As a result we now provide an all Wales perspective of the planning system as well as working in England and Ireland. Or wide range of in-house expertise allows us to provide planning, urban design and development advice to clients in both the public and private sectors.

The practice seeks to provide clients with an holistic approach to problem solving, combined with a creative outlook that aims to provide imaginative solutions to complex issues. Sustainable development and developing naturally are concepts that are factored into the full range of the practice’s portfolio.

To summarise what the practice can offer
- We can provide advice on the development and use of land throughout the UK in terms of planning, urban design and regeneration projects. Our holistic approach includes early engagement with all interested parties, including the communities the development effects.

- We can ensure that developments are also sympathetic to the environment. We build British Research Establishment Eco-Home environmental criteria into the planning and design process. We are aware that it is rare for this to be done at such an early stage in the development process. CDN Planning believes this innovative approach represents a sound, ethical policy on our part, and on the part of our clients.

- We can enable landowners and property owners add value to their holdings by identifying suitable development potential under local development plans. These policy frameworks are constantly revised and CDN can help clients engage positively in the consultation process.

CDN utilises its close links and long standing professional relationships with local authorities, public agencies and private individuals operating within these regions to ensure an efficient, effective and successful service is delivered.

In north Wales, our latest clients include Aldi, Co-op and Asda. For Aldi we are currently exploring a range of potential development sites throughout Wales to develop and are engaging in dialogue with the relevant LPA on their behalf.

For Asda we have successfully obtained planning permission for a new store in Llangefni, Anglesey which opened its doors in 2006. The success of this project had much to do with our ability to engage not only with the Planning Authority, but also with the local community.

We have also provided consultancy services in connection with a significant Holyhead Waterfront Regeneration Project on Anglesey, which aims to set out a framework for the re-development of Holyhead waterfront, marina, port and adjoining areas for the next 15 years.

In south Wales, we have undertaken several projects on behalf of Local Planning Authorities. One recent example includes the preparation of a Regeneration Strategy for an area of land in Porthcawl on behalf of Bridgend Council. We are currently working on the preparation of a sustainable energy supplementary guidance note for Blaenau Gwent Council.

Further a field we have been retained on a permanent basis to provide urban design advice to North Somerset Council in connection with their exciting redevelopment scheme at Portishead, whilst we have also prepared Gipsy and Traveller Development Plan Documents for South Cambridgeshire District Council, Colchester Council and Derbyshire Council.

We have also recently been undertaking planning appeals and inquiries on behalf of Local Authorities. One of our key strengths in that all key members of CDN Planning can give evidence at Inquiries bilingually.