Projects

Redevelopment of garden centre in countryside location within National Landscape

Our role

• Secured planning permission under delegated powers for the redevelopment of the existing Hillier garden centre to provide significantly enlarged store, over 3 times larger than existing facility.
• Set within the Chichester Harbour Conservancy a designated National Landscape, the project required a robust planning strategy informed by a strong landscape-led rationale.
• Turley delivered integrated services across planning, landscape, sustainability, economics and strategic communications, ensuring a co-ordinated and evidence-led approach throughout.
• Secured support from the Chichester Harbour Conservancy through high-quality LVIA, carefully demonstrating landscape capacity and visual effects, Justified the significant expansion of retail floorspace in an out-of-centre and countryside location through a robust retail impact assessment and sequential site assessment.

Results

• No objections from statutory consultees, with planning permission secured under delegated powers.
• Added value through a joined-up strategy integrating planning, landscape and communications, de-risking the application and strengthening stakeholder confidence.
• Secured support from local community and stakeholders, notably support from the Parish Council, with no third party objections.
• Sustainability was at the forefront of the proposals, with a modern purpose built store delivering clear improvements in energy efficiency and operational energy consumption compared to the existing store.
• Demonstrated strong economic and social benefits, including GVA uplift, job creation, skills opportunities, and the provision of new communities facilities within the enhanced store.
• The project represents best practice in balancing growth with landscape protection, delivering significant landscape and biodiversity enhancements.