The planning, heritage and communications worked collaboratively to secure full permission to refurbish and repurpose the former Stanstead Youth and Education Centre as a day nursery.
Busy Bees selected the site to meet growing local demand for nursery provision. As a former purpose-built school within the Stansted Mountfitchet Conservation Area, the locally listed building offered an ideal opportunity to reintroduce an educational use while continuing to serve the community. The Council recognises the building as a fine example of its period, with notable decorative features, making its sensitive reuse important.
Planning Potential coordinated and prepared all supporting documentation, demonstrating that the day nursery was compatible with the former youth centre use and would have no adverse impacts on highways or neighbouring amenity. The change of use also enabled sustainable design measures, providing a positive reuse of the vacant building as a new community asset.
Heritage Potential provided heritage-led design advice, including historical research and a Heritage Statement, ensuring the proposals respected the building’s significance and conservation context. A sympathetic design approach was adopted, delivering a scheme fully compliant with the Local Development Plan.
Communications Potential led proactive engagement with councillors, the parish council and local residents, including a community newsletter and direct discussions, helping address concerns in advance and minimise formal representations.
Summary of achievements:
- Heritage and Planning Appraisal for the client
- Built strong relationships with Council Officers to secure delegated determination
- Managed the preparation, submission, and monitoring of planning applications, coordinating with specialist consultants to address consultee feedback
- Delivered successful pre-application engagement with members and local residents
