Shopfitter’s plans to extend use class of premises approved at second time of asking

A Leicester-based shopfitting and manufacturing firm has secured planning permission to provide 27,750 sq ft of surplus space at its Chartwell Drive premises to other businesses looking to grow in the area.

Display by Design’s plans to extend the site’s commercial property use class were initially knocked back on highway grounds, but a revised application supported by Marrons Planning has now been approved by council chiefs.

The firm’s original application for independent commercial use was denied based on perceived issues around lorry manoeuvring and localised congestion.

Marrons Planning and transport consultancy DTA joined forces to come up with a solution, ensuring the entire premises can now be independently serviced and accessed by lorries with shared turning areas.

Emma-Leigh North, finance director at Display By Design, said: “We’re thrilled to have our planning application approved so the space at our £4m site does not go to waste.

“After Covid and now the uncertain economic environment the country is facing, it is great to have the flexibility to be fluid with the space we have to allow the business to thrive and continue to be competitive within the market.”

Sachin Parmar, associate director at Marrons Planning, said: “This was a challenging project and required significant collaboration and negotiation with the local planning and highways authorities to ensure the impact of the plans would be positive. Often after a planning application is rejected, it’s tough to get it approved second time – that’s where creativity, teamwork and experience were essential.

“Not only have we benefitted the client with this solution, but we’ve also benefitted the local economy, providing opportunity for new businesses to operate in the area in this high-quality commercial space.”

Simon Parfitt, director at DTA Transportation, added: “We’re thrilled to have helped provide a solution to increase the opportunities at this site. Our technical appraisal has helped identify a more commercially flexible arrangement for how goods and people move around the site, with more efficient use of the existing site’s service yard freeing up space while also delivering sustainable enhancements for the site.”