Turley Associates helps Almondsbury Garden Centre to grow
Image by Allen Associates
Press release: 7 June 2011
Planning and urban design consultancy Turley Associates, acting on behalf of Park Garden Centres, has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the popular Almondsbury Garden Centre to the north of Bristol.
The development will see the consolidation of the garden centre's existing buildings into one purpose-built glasshouse with improved accessibility, car parking and landscaping.
Dan Templeton, Director at Turley Associates said: "Almondsbury Garden Centre is located in the Green Belt. National planning policy requires the demonstration of 'very special circumstances' before permission can be granted for development of this nature and we had to work hard to prove the scheme would be acceptable.
"Officers and Members at South Gloucestershire Council agreed unanimously that the development would represent a significant improvement in the visual appearance of the site and improve the openness of the Green Belt. The development was, as a matter of course, referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who also confirmed that there was no conflict with national policy. We are delighted with this decision."
Almondsbury Garden Centre is one of the oldest and most successful garden centres in the region, first opening its doors in 1933. Operated by Park Garden Centres, further centres were opened in Lechlade in 1992 and Cheddar in 2006.
Phil Hodges, Owner of Park Garden Centres said: "This is a very exciting decision for the Almondsbury Garden Centre and we are all looking forward to beginning the redevelopment. As part of the planning application we undertook extensive public consultation and the redevelopment received widespread support. The garden centre has long been part of the local community and this decision will ensure that it remains so for many years to come."
Work at Almondsbury Garden Centre will begin as soon as possible.
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About Turley Associates
Turley Associates is the UK's leading independent planning and urban design consultancy. The company operates from 10 offices - London, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast - and has market leading expertise in planning, urban design, masterplanning, sustainability and heritage. The company has a strong reputation in the residential, retail, infrastructure, energy, health, education, sports and leisure, waste, minerals and mining and financial sectors.