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Introduction Our Projects
Our People Added Value
A Multi-Skilled Consultancy
Formed in 2005, Iceni is now the market leader and preferred consultancy for a fast-growing number of clients. We have always sought to provide the skills of an advisor with the instincts of a developer.
We achieve this by knowing our tradecraft –the technical skills that come through years of education and on-the-job experience that is recognised by professional accreditation. But it is also daring to be different; being proactive and thinking strategically. Our client relationships are built on trust, togetherness, enthusiasm, and a courage to challenge, where appropriate. The technical specialisms that the company hold have widened, but this fundamental objective remains the same. We are committed to putting our client’s interests first – and providing them with the tools to significantly improve their performance.
Your Strategic Advisors
Ian Anderson
Chief Executive
Andrew Gale
Chief Operating Officer
James Bompas
Director | Business Devt. & Strategic Planning
Danny Collins Director
Nick Ireland Director
Silke Gruner
Director
Callum Fraser Director
Matt Kinghan Director
We’re proud to say that we’re an award-winning consultancy. We’ve a positive, creative mindset, and we’re passionate about what we do.
Claire Cogar Director
Paul McColgan Director
Chris Jones
Director
Gary Mappin
Laurie Handcock Director
Nick Walker Director
Gemma Gallant Director
Philippa Curran Director
Director Ian Gallacher
Director Ian Mayhead
Director
Kieron Hodgson
Director Leona Hannify
Director
Lewis Westhoff
Director
Lorna O’Carroll
Director Nick Grant
Director
Simon Fowler
Director
Jonathan Stewart Director
Paul Drew Director
James Jaulim Director
Sam Griffiths Director
James Waterhouse
Director
Clive Burbridge
Director
Jamie Sullivan
Director
Fred Peters
Director
John Mumby
Director
Rob Amey
Director
Hotels
Hotels are having a moment. Whether this is indicative of current economic times or in response to the needs of the ever-expanding visitor economy hotels are big business. Where traditionally retail, office and residential developers would be found competing for sites, hotels are now up there, challenging the lot within town centre developments and beyond.
Since 2010 tourism has been the fastest growing sector in the UK in terms of employment and the country is forecast to have a tourism industry worth over £257 billion by 2025 (source: Tourism: jobs and growth. Deloitte November 2013). Of relevance to the hotel sector this translated into 39.8 million overnight stays in the UK in 2018, a number which is expected to bloom in the context of expanding worldwide demand for overseas travel.
With growing numbers of tourists comes an increased demand for hotel accommodation, and whilst the basic provisions of a bed and a shower remain, the continued rise of tech and the demand for instant gratification is seeing the emergence of a whole new generation of hotels, not just for overnight stay but also as social spaces for an Insta-ready generation.
But at a time when competition for land is intense balancing the needs of the visitor industry with competing pressures for homes and employment is becoming increasingly difficult. And it is not just competing pressures for land that act as a threat to hotel delivery, it is also the increasing financial burden being placed by the planning system on new visitor accommodation.
At a time when competition for land is intense, Iceni is perfectly placed to help negotiate proposals for visitor accommodation through the planning system, whether in the form of hotels or
serviced apartments, pod hotels or luxury accommodation, we have the breadth and depth of experience to achieve the desired results.
We provide specialist advice in the fields of archaeology; delivery; design; EIA management; engagement; heritage; planning; sustainable development, townscape and transport. Our team are talented, relentless, intelligent, bold and experienced. Individually or collectively, you’ll know when you’re with Iceni Projects.
Introduction Our Projects
Our People
Premier Inn Hotel
Watford
Authority: Watford Borough Council
Proposal: New 124 room town centre hotel
Services: Planning | Built Heritage and Townscape
Status: Completed
Iceni Projects was instructed by Drax Investments Limited to apply for a detailed planning application for a 124-bedroom hotel on behalf of the Whitbread (the owners for the Premier Inn) in Watford town centre.
The site was allocated for office-led employment uses; however, Iceni Projects successfully made the case that with Watford’s ambitious growth plans of delivering at least 7,000 new jobs by 2031 there was an unmet need for additional hotel beds. Iceni emphasised that Watford was becoming a destination in its own right; with Harry Potter World, a Premiership football club, and wide retail offer.
Notwithstanding the above, this existing garage site did have constraints, including right-to-light; overlooking; and access. The proposals were within close proximity of a listed building; the building will also appear within local strategic views. As such heritage and townscape were important factor.
The application received unanimous support from Members in November 2016 and, when constructed, will provide the Premier Inn with a strong footing in Watford as well as creating approximately 40 full-time jobs.
Iceni advised on planning and built heritage / townscape.
Circle Court, Stretford Trafford Council
Authority:Trafford Council
Proposal: Redevelopment of vacant brownfield land for the erection of a nine storey hotel
Services: Impact Management | Planning | Sustainable Development
Status: Pending Determination
Iceni’s Manchester office were instructed by Create Developments to prepare and submit a planning application to transform a vacant site in close proximity to the Trafford Centre into a high quality 197 bedroom hotel.
The scheme, which is due to be determined via planning committee in Summer 2020, will deliver 197 bedrooms across nine storeys, along with a Reception hub, restaurant, a fitness suite and flexible communal areas including relaxed seating areas, dining areas and meeting pods. The proposed development will be constructed by Create Developments on behalf of Hampton by Hilton.
The site is located close to the Trafford Centre, Trafford Park Industrial Estate, Old Trafford football & cricket grounds, Event City & the Chill Factore, providing the perfect location for both leisure driven short breaks and for overnight business stays. As well as adding to the buoyancy of the local economy in South Manchester, the development also seeks to better the surroundings by comprehensively redeveloping a vacant parcel of land while respecting the character of the area and adjacent residential tower block managed by Trafford Housing Trust. Iceni were also responsible for preparing a planning application....
The Ten Room, Café Royal
Westminster
Authority: Westminster City Council
Proposal: Re-development of facilities within historic hotel building
Services: Planning | Built Heritage & Townscape
Status: Completed
Working for the Alrov Property Group, the team were tasked with negotiating changes to this important space, as part of proposals to change how the 5* Hotel Café Royal’s reception and restaurant facilities work.
The Ten Room, interestingly, is a recreation of a lost historic space, introduced into the Grade II listed building as part of the redevelopment of the Site from 20082012. As part of the scheme to develop the new Hotel Café Royal, a makeweight scheme was consented, involving the recreation of the Ten Room to offset the loss of historic spaces elsewhere in the building. Having been created entirely from photographs, the Art Deco space had been found, in the years since the hotel’s reopening, to be not entirely successful, particularly in terms of its lighting.
Iceni worked to justify a series of alterations to the space which, while retaining the spirit of the space as a historic replica, improved the space’s functionality and experience, making good on some of the issues that arose from creating a replica from photographs alone. Consent has now been granted for a series of changes that result in the Ten Room becoming a new reception for the Hotel, incorporating new light fittings and other changes to the space.
St Giles Circus Camden
Authority: Camden City Council
Proposal: Boutique Hotel alongside Public Space re-development scheme
Services: Planning | Transport | Built
Status: Advanced Build Stage
Iceni Projects have secured a boutique hotel, to be known as ‘Chateaux Denmark’ as part of the redevelopment of St Giles Circus in the West End. The hotel is accessed through the larger of two new buildings, which also includes a ground-breaking urban gallery to provide publicly accessible curated space incorporating 1,800 sqm of digital screens.
Chateaux Denmark spans Denmark Street and incorporates the music heritage of Denmark Street, including hotel rooms containing original art work by the Sex Pistols.
Iceni have now been advising on the project for over 5 years and are currently managing all planning aspects of the project as the construction process nears completion. Throughout the construction process we have managed the discharge of allplanning conditions, S106 obligations, additional listed building consents and secured permission for multiple amendments through S96a and S73 applications, working collaboratively with the Council throughout.
Commercial Road
Whitechapel
Authority: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
Proposal: 160+ room luxury hotel with ground level commercial facilities
Services: Planning | Built Heritage and Townscape
Status: Permission Granted (Development Commenced)
We advised Regal London on the redevelopment of this prominent City Fringe site with a high end apart-hotel scheme. The scheme was referable to the Greater London Authority and was unanimously approved at the Council’s Strategic Development Committee in March 2019. Following a positive GLA Stage 2 Decision in April 2019, planning permission was formally issued in May 2019.
Following extensive discussions with the Council, Iceni overcame a number of design, land use and transport issues. Officers acknowledged the numerous planning benefits and planning permission was granted for a scheme comprising a 14 storey building, 160 contemporary apartment style hotel rooms, together with a new restaurant and bar at ground floor level which will be accessible to the public. The site is adjacent to the Myrdle Street Conservation Area and a number of important listed building, therefore justifying a tall building on the site was a key planning issue.
The wider area has seen a significant increase in development activity in recent years, particularly through new tall buildings. The delivery of a hotel on the site through an established provider, Staycity, has the opportunity to positively build upon the ongoing regeneration of this important corner of London. Iceni previously advised Regal London and helped achieve planning permission for an office scheme on the site in 2017.
3 Pacific Quay Glasgow City Council
Authority: Glasgow City Council
Proposal: Erection of 150 bed hotel
Services: Planning
Status: Under Consideration
Iceni are appointed by Pacific Quay Ltd to provide planning consultancy services with respect to a new 150-bed hotel development in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay area.
Pacific Quay is located on the Clyde waterfront and has undergone significant investment and change in recent years. The application site has remained vacant and derelict for 15 years on a high-profile location on the banks of the River Clyde and is subject to a number of constraints including layout, size, proximity to neighbouring heritage assets, and underground infrastructure services.
Given the scale of the development that was proposed, Iceni led the pre-application consultation process with the local community and other key stakeholders, resulting in a number of letters of support being received by Glasgow City Council.
As the site is designated as a Strategic Economic Investment Location (SEIL), Iceni worked closely with other consultants and local property agents to prepare a robust and comprehensive planning application that justifies the proposal, based on the hotel providing high quality accommodation, as well as co-working, conference and meeting rooms facilities to support the surrounding businesses and Hydro events arena, whilst generating 50 direct jobs and £18 million of investment in the city.
Hampton by Hilton LB of Lambeth
Authority: Lambeth London Borough Council
Proposal: 5 storey extension providing 35 additional hotel bedrooms.
Services: Planning | Built Heritage & Townscape | Sustainability
Status: Permission Granted
Iceni Projects advised and secured planning consent on behalf of Rising Star (Waterloo) Ltd for an extension to their Hampton by Hilton Hotel in on Waterloo Road in Lambeth. The permission increases the existing hotel capacity adding a further 35 bedrooms to the existing 297 via a 5 storey extension to the rear.
The scheme presented a number of challenges with neighbouring Listed Buildings as well as residential properties in close proximity. However, the central London location and excellent access to public transport presented the perfect opportunity to increase hotel capacity within this Central Activities Zone area. Through careful design and planning mitigating issues, the scheme received unanimous approval at Planning Committee.
Marchburn Drive Glasgow Airport
Authority: Glasgow City Council
Proposal: Erection of 181 bed hotel
Services: Planning
Status: Under Consideration
Iceni were instructed by Cairn Hotels Group (c/o Nixon Consultants) to advise on obtaining planning permission for a new build 181 bed hotel, located near to Glasgow Airport.
We worked closely with Renfrewshire Council prior to submitting the application to agree parameters and scope of submission. This early collaboration allowed for the principle of development to be agreed prior to submission, offering the client more certainty in the planning process. We also undertook a programme of community engagement, including a public consultation event, to allow the local community and other stakeholders to engage with the development at an early stage.
A key issue in this application was the proximity of the site to Glasgow Airport, which resulted in a bird hazard management plan being required to be submitted with the application. Transport, acoustics, flooding and landscaping were also considerations, and Iceni worked closely with each of the consultants to ensure a robust and comprehensive planning submission.
Iceni led discussions and negotiations with Renfrewshire Council during the determination period to resolve issues which arose quickly, ensuring there was no loss to the number of bedrooms sought by the client.
Introduction Our Projects
Our People
Simon Fowler Director, Planning
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07831 820 634
E: sfowler@iceniprojects.com
Simon enjoys the technical challenge of delivering positive planning outcomes.
Simon joined Iceni Projects in 2023 having previously been a director of the London Town Planning team at Avison Young. During his 16 years’ planning experience working in both the private and public sector he has become a specialist in the delivery of complex and significant mixed-use planning permissions across London, Kent and the south-east. He has been responsible for leading private and public organisations through complex planning scenarios and ensuring that planning decisions create deliverable and sustainable communities.
Throughout his career, Simon has been at the forefront of projects, and he continues to remain the trusted advisor to clients whilst maintaining a ‘handson’ approach. As the client contact for wider planning and multi-disciplinary teams, he understands the combined strategic and detailed role of project leadership, and the need to drive projects forward with speed and accuracy.
Simon’s early career experience includes working at Medway Council between 2007 and 2015. He was responsible for substantial mixed-use and residential planning applications within the Borough, developing growth strategies, and the identification of strategic site allocations. As a result of living locally, and previously working for the neighboring local authority in Kent, he is well placed to understand the local barriers to planning delivery, and how to unlock projects and to navigate developments through local politics and local communities.
Andrew Gale Chief Operating Officer
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07875 672 061
E: agale@iceniprojects.com
Clients value Andrews’ balanced approach and trust him to obtain the best outcome.
Andrew was schooled in the ‘art’ of town planning whilst working for two local authorities, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury, in Kent. This experience taught him early and valuable lessons in how the UK planning system and development industry interact. He has continued to develop his professional and commercial skills having worked as a planning consultant in several large multi-disciplinary firms.
His previous role was as a Partner at Drivers Jonas Deloitte, where he led a team focusing on large-scale residential and mixed-use developments. He acts for landowners and local authorities through to niche-developers and national house-builders.
Complex and demanding projects, where clients’ expectations and requirements have to be judged against both policy and political influences, is where Andrew thrives most. He brings many years’ experience from both a public sector and large-corporate perspective and leads the planning side of the Iceni business.
Kieron Hodgson Director, Planning
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07807 264 704
E: khodgson@iceniprojects.com
Kieron considers all the angles and has a collaborative approach much valued by clients.
Kieron’s interest in planning was sparked at an early age during his upbringing in North Devon when he realised the devastation that Planners can cause when they get it wrong!
After studying in Bristol., Kieron’s professional career began in 2001 as a planning officer at The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead where planning cases included work on a number of high profile sites such as Windsor Castle, Eton College and the Ascot Racecourse redevelopment, before moving to the London Borough of Camden in order to work on the regeneration of King’s Cross.
In addition to his public sector experience, Kieron has spent 8 years in private practice working for DTZ and Gerald Eve LLP providing planning advice to clients on complex, large scale, mixed use developments, predominantly in Central London.
Introduction Our Projects
Our People Added Value
Added Value SDS
Irrespective of the scale, complexity or societal benefits of a development proposal, it will always attract local opposition, which makes decision taking harder.
Iceni prides itself on formulating new, distinct and innovative tools and techniques for demonstrating why new development should be supported and why it will have positive transformational effects on communities.
We have developed our own techniques for formulating development proposals, operating at the local level within communities to identify how developments can have the greatest effect on peoples lives, and be delivered in a highly successful and sustainable way.
Sustainable Development Scorecardwww.thescorecard.org.uk
Added Value Iceni Intelligence
Whilst Iceni is a national consultancy, we pride ourselves on having a thorough local understanding of the communities we are seeking to change. We therefore have a suite of area based experts to understand, monitor and identify planning and political change across geographic areas.
This work extends beyond monitoring of Local Plans and considers issues such as the political composition and priorities of an area. Objectively Assessed Need and signs of market failure across the full use spectrum from housing, through employment to social and transport infrastructure. We also monitor significant planning decisions and the ways in which planning policies are applied in practice through casework decisions at Planning Committees and the Planning Inspectorate. This work greatly enhances the quality of the commercial advice we provide.
KENT EAST
SUSSEX WEST SUSSEX
SURREY
GREATER LONDON ESSEX
HAMPSHIRE BERKSHIRE
DORSET SOMERSET WILTSHIRE
DEVON
CORNWALL AVON
HERTFORDSHIRE
BEDFORDSHIRE
SHIRE
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
TERSHIRE
CAMBRIDGESHIRE HEREFORDSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE WEST MIDLANDS
SHROPSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE
DERBYSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LEICESTERSHIRE
NORFOLK
SUFFOLK
LINCOLNSHIRE
Added Value iSite
iSite pulls together a number of services to enable the promoter of a project – but equally the respective consultant, local authority, consultee, local community and wider interested party – to gain the knowledge and understanding of a site or location that historically has only been possible from an in-depth site visit. Moreover, many projects are of the size and scale that even a physical site visit renders difficult to comprehend.
The key focus of iSite is to provide an intelligent digital design and consultation tool. This incorporates the use of drone photography, 360° camerawork (think Google Street View for buildings), interactive, virtual consultation halls and project web sites that can pool together all of the information for effective file management and sharing. So whether you need to initiate an initial site survey appraisal, team site visit, pre-application meeting, public consultation event or committee presentation, iSite can help.
iSite wont be for everyone. We understand that. But if you are looking for cost-effective ways to progress with your proposals, it could be the answer.
Added Value Place
Sites don’t start with, and aren’t defined by, planning policy. They’re defined by people. And people bring a melting pot of ideas and opinions.
Not everyone will necessarily share the view that a site needs developing, regenerating or renewal, especially in areas undergoing massive amounts of change or those where nothing has happened despite the will to see it happen.
They are sites that often mean more to people than an abstract red line on an OS plan, where physical and social barriers override site boundaries. Where people have a connection to their incidental bit of city they call home.
They have a past, they have a present and a future. Just like people.
Iceni Place delivers an approach that welcomes all of these views, fears, hopes and dreams into a collaborative process built on listening. It starts with people, asking “What does success look like to you?” and ends with a legacy of better places.
Added Value Iceni Futures
The Iceni Futures team was set up in response to the rapidly changing world and the acknowledgment that more than ever, we need to create futureproofed and sustainable development. The teams role is to assess, predict and influence change across the development industry. In practice that means exploring how places and people will function in the future, analysing existing barriers and providing strategic advice which aligns with clients goals and aspirations to ensure development is fit for the future.
The team doesn’t claim to be experts in every new discipline or product, but they understand the existing barriers and outdated development processes that persist across the industry and the importance of working innovatively and smarter to deliver client visions and change that actually works. It’s understood that each client will need tailored advice and the Futures team look to work collaboratively to provide advice which is tailored to a specific site, company strategy or product. Essentially, if you’re looking to plan for or capitalise on the future, Iceni Futures can be there to support you and drive that ambition.
Added Value Vu.City
Vi.City is the largest and most truly accurate 3D interactive model development to date. Testing initial draft proposals or sites within this software can significantly optimise feasibility and preapplication stages leading directly to better decision making through the process. It is beneficial for the client and the planning process to be able to collaborate in this way, optimising strategy brought forward and cutting down on unnecessary delays in programme, scoping, etc.
This is a 3D modelling tool which covers many parts of the UK but its particularly detailed in relation to the area of London. More and more Councils and consultee bodies, such as Historic England, are adopting this licensing to have their own facility in-house. Iceni Projects can consult more effectively with the relevant public bodies to achieve the best outcomes for a project through the use of Vu.City software.
Archaeology | Built Heritage & Townscape | Design | Economics | Engagement | Impact Management
Landscape | Place | Planning | Transport
Birmingham: 20 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT
Edinburgh : 14 -18 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JZ
Glasgow : 201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW
London : Da Vinci House, 44 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH
Manchester : WeWork, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6FW www.iceniprojects.com | iceni-projects | iceniprojects