Oaklands College, Borehamwood (120 Homes)

Design at Appeal... 4 hours in the witness box being ruthlessly cross-examined by the UK’s finest legal minds, and Ed came out of it with a spring in his step and a planning permission for 120 units together with a new Further Education college building. Well, perhaps we are exaggerating just a little - but it is a brilliant permission which marks a successful end to a long, long Planning process and subsequent Public Inquiry.

Design matters were the principal Reasons for Refusal: a prominent site on Elstree Way, the main road which leads into Borehamwood town centre, the main objections being related to the visual appropriateness of the design and its status as a ‘civic building’ within the wider built corridor. Not to mention ‘too cramped’ (whatever that means), and ‘unsatisfactory visual setting’ (whatever THAT means).

DHA’s Proof of Evidence justified the scheme against By Design, MfS I and II, Urban Design Compendium and Hertsmere’s own Planning and Design Guide; not to mention the supportive minutes from the local Architects’ Panel, which had influenced the design at pre-planning stage but were appointed to support the COUNCIL’s case at the Inquiry! Our case was supported by a series of high quality CGIs which we produced in order to show the proposed development in the context of the much wider Elstree Way corridor, as well as to demonstrate the high quality design of the principal elevation incorporating an entrance plaza.

The Inspector, obviously showing sound judgement, allowed the Appeal - and what’s more, made this rather glorious statement:

“The front façade of the college building, includes some design cues from the art deco buildings to be found further east on Elstree Way. It is a welcoming building which would reach out to the community it is intended to serve with an attractive and human-scaled plaza ... The transition from the front façade, at four storeys and with some corporate embellishment, to the rear elevation at three storeys and with a more domestic scale where it faces the residential part of the site seems to me to be skilfully handled.”

Nice to be appreciated!