As of November 2023 (TBC), it will be mandatory for developments requiring planning permission to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The Environment Act 2021 introduced the requirement that new planning applications for development meet the following objective 'biodiversity value attributable to the development exceed the pre-development biodiversity value of the on-site habitat by at least 10%'.

The new building will provide circa 24,000m2 of new floor space dedicated to the production of the much-loved Henry family of vacuum cleaners. The aim of the development is to streamline the process into one facility incorporating raw material storage, manufacture, assembly, storage and distribution, to ultimately improve sustainability and increase productivity.

Firstly, what is equitable design? The dictionary definition of equity, is to provide equal treatment to everyone whilst still acknowledging the differences between individuals. This implies that there are inherent differences between individuals’ circumstances, and for everyone to achieve the same equal outcome, they must be given tools and opportunities specific to their needs.

Could architects be doing more to address and provide solutions to the world’s current social, cultural and environmental issues? As an industry, we generally try to be proactive and keep ourselves well informed and there is fundamental change happening within construction, along with a growing awareness in the wider society in relation to diversity and other commonly understood issues.

We are pleased to announce that the Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023 has shortlisted our affordable housing scheme, Mendip View in Axbridge for Best Innovative New Build!

Adaptive reuse – how does this differ from refurbishment and renovation and what does it mean for our existing building stock? Sensitive transformations may be the key to cost-effective and sustainable solutions, while maintaining relationships between property owners, tenants and those who simply inhabit our constructed world.

BoonBrown are delighted to announce that alongside clients Allerton, we have now secured planning permission for 67 apartments across three blocks on the Cherry Tree Pub site in Peterborough.

Our application was recommended for approval by the Planning Officer, and later approved under delegated powers without going to Planning Committee.

The team really enjoyed evolving this design, which included some challenging constraints, such as retention and the sensitive conversion and extension of the locally listed Cherry Tree Pub. The site also offered an opportunity to bridge between larger five story apartments to the east, and two story housing to the west, allowing for the creation of hybrid typologies with front facing gables and flat roofs.

BoonBrown’s recently completed scheme for 20 new affordable homes at Mendip View, Axbridge, has won ‘Sustainable Project of the Year’ at the Insider South West Property Awards!! The ceremony in Bristol on Thursday evening was overwhelmed by cheer and applause by the great news. To be given recognition for all the hard work through this prestigious regional award was a great delight.

BoonBrown Landscape Architects are extremely excited to be working alongside the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Chelsea Steering Group and Chelsea Physic Garden to develop and enhance the Chelsea Embankment Gardens.

Our vision for the gardens centres around visually uniting the two spaces, through the use of repetition in planting types between the sites, using naturalistic, drought-tolerant planting – creating a strong design language between the gardens. Swathes of bulbs and informal blocks of planting, alongside multi-stemmed ornamental trees will provide visual screening, whilst enlivening the spaces with colour and seasonal interest.

We are delighted that our Elderton Fields project has been selected as regional winner for the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2022 in the category Best Small Social Housing Development. Working with our client Stonewater and contractors Winsley White Ltd, we have delivered fourteen new affordable homes within a wider landscaped scheme including school parking, wildlife corridors and public art.

As you may or may not be aware the Government has decreed that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030 to aid the UK’s climate objectives. This got me thinking about the impact this will have on how we consider the sustainability of places, communities or settlements. At present places with limited facilities and/or lacking in public transport options are generally considered unsustainable locations therefore most new development (especially housing) is…