Behind The Curtain Of Design

By Alex Urquhart

Overcoming an 8-year planning challenge: how HPW delivered success in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A beautiful architectural sketch of a green-roofed swimming pool building in a holiday park setting with walking paths in the foreground and rolling hills in the background.

For eight years, our client faced setbacks trying to secure planning approval for their scheme. Multiple attempts were made with no success, leading to frustration and uncertainty.

That’s when HPW was appointed to take a fresh look at the project. We not only delivered a better scheme, but we also achieved planning approval on the first attempt within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The client was overjoyed, and the result demonstrated our ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

A beautiful architectural sketch of a green-roofed building in a holiday park setting with walking paths and swimming pools. People walk and cycle nearby. Red umbrellas and plants add color. The building blends into the hill behind it.

A sketch from a different perspective of a green-roofed building in a holiday park setting with swimming pools in the foreground. The building is designed to seamlessly integrate with the landscape behind to reduce visual impact in a sensitive location..

What made us succeed?

The key lay in our holistic approach to problem solving, informed by careful listening, deep analysis, and strategic thinking. Planning approval isn’t just about ticking boxes; it requires balancing a wide range of factors to satisfy the needs of all stakeholders, from the client to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) and beyond.

Rooftop terrace with wicker chairs on a sunny day. Wooden and glass structure, grassy hill in background under a bright blue sky.

In this particular case, we had to navigate:

Building size: Ensuring the scheme fit within the site’s context while meeting the client’s needs.
Sustainable building methods: Incorporating practices that aligned with environmental standards and expectations.
Flooding concerns: Adhering to Environmental Agency guidelines for flood levels, critical in safeguarding the project’s viability.
Material use: Prioritising local and natural materials to respect the heritage site and minimise environmental impact.
Visual impact: Addressing how the development would be viewed from surrounding areas, maintaining harmony with the landscape.

Outdoor cafe with wicker furniture set on a spacious patio under a clear blue sky. Timber clad building in the background that merges with the contextual landscape. Calm, sunny setting.

From the outset, we recognised that solving these challenges required a shift in perspective. We worked closely with the client to reimagine their approach, helping them see the potential in aligning their vision with the demands of the planning process. Once they embraced this new mindset, the path forward became much clearer.

Modern building labeled "Jurassic Fun Centre" with glass railings, set against a clear blue sky and grass, featuring a stone wall and swimming pool to the foreground. A great example of using local & natural materials (timber cladding, local stone) and sustainable design.

Our expertise, coupled with the client’s trust in our process, made what had once seemed insurmountable relatively straightforward. By listening, absorbing key insights, and aligning priorities, we turned an eight-year struggle into a story of success.

Alternative view of the "Jurassic Fun Centre", showing the entrance close-up, set against a vibrant blue sky. Modern, sustainable, ecological architecutre.

Planning challenges like these are complex, but they are not impossible to overcome. Success often requires stepping back, reevaluating the situation, and building a strategy that accounts for the needs of all parties involved. At HPW, we pride ourselves on delivering results in even the most demanding contexts, transforming obstacles into opportunities for our clients.