Powell  Dobson  Urbanists  was  appointed  by  the  South  Wales  Fire  and  Rescue  Service  (SWFRS)  to  provide  masterplanning  and  land  use  planning  consultancy services  for  the  redevelopment  of  land  at  Lanelay  Hall,  Talbot Green, for residential development.

The former Fire Service HQ site (circa 5 hectares) became  available  for  development  as  a  result  of  the  SWFRS  improvement programme which required relocation to a  new HQ.

Achieving  an  acceptable  masterplan  layout  required  a  detailed  assessment  and  understanding  of  the  various  potential site constraints which emerged during the initial  planning process.   

PDU  co-ordinated  a  multi disciplinary  team  of  sub- consultants to prepare the required specialist supporting  information  for  the  planning  application.    Key  issues  addressed  during  the  design  and  planning  process  included:  the  retention  of  trees  that  were  protected  by  Tree Preservation Orders; ensuring that the proposal had positive impacts  on  the  heritage  assets  (including  a  listed  building);  demonstrating that the hydrology issues were resolved;  ensuring that the impact of the proposal on transportation  was  acceptable;  and  demonstrating  that  the  proposed  land use was compatible with surrounding land uses.    

The  masterplan  was  reviewed  and  refined  to  take  account of the emerging constraints and to maximise the  opportunities of the site, whilst continuing to apply best  practice in urban design.   PDU also  acted  on  behalf  of SWFRS in  matters  relating  to  the  emerging  RCTCBC  Local  Development  Plan.  The  LDP  proposed  that  the  land  should  be  allocated  to  accommodate  a  new  Talbot  Green  bypass  /  relief  road  scheme.

It is expected that planning permission will be granted for  the residential development in Summer 2010.