Buxton Water
Derbyshire
Client: Nestle UK
DLP Planning successfully secured planning permission on behalf of Nestle UK for a major new production facility on a greenfield site on the edge of Buxton. The development comprised the construction of a combined bottling plant and warehouse, and the construction of new pipeline links to the plant from the mineral water source at the centre of Buxton.
DLP provided a consultancy role with a particular focus on justifying the relocation of the factory complex from a town centre location to an unallocated greenfield site on the edge of the town. The key in this instance to a successful planning process was the ability to demonstrate that there exists a unique set of special circumstances related to the location, manufacturing process, design and economics that justified the location of the major new factory in the open countryside on the edge of a National Park.
An initial feasibility stage was undertaken to review options for the new facility and pipeline routes. DLP Planning then managed the planning application submission involving a wide consulting team and project managed the application process. Close liaison with High Peak Borough Council and other statutory authorities and stakeholders was required throughout the project. This included managing the process of public consultation and community involvement.
A crucial element of DLP Planning’s role was to ensure the delivery of the planning permission in accordance with a tight programme with no production gaps in the bottling of mineral water. This included ensuring planning permission was granted in a timely manner, as well as ensuring that planning conditions and Section 106 obligations did not impose unduly restrictive requirements on Nestle UK.
More recently, DLP Planning and Cass Design have also been involved in phased improvements to the new bottling facility infrastructure, including a new high-bay warehouse and a second pipe link to another mineral water source.
“For over 20 years we have worked with DLP Planning and Cass who provide the specialist planning and landscape design advice across the land and property portfolio which is owned and operated by Nestlé UK.
The planning service has helped us to secure permissions for key developments around the UK. These developments have included the recycling of derelict land and buildings at one of the strategic sites in the City of York and the construction of new factories in Buxton and in South Derbyshire.
We have found that DLP Planning and Cass are good team players who bring both enthusiasm and professionalism to projects. They provide a central planning and landscape design service to us and Nestlé UK but where appropriate we have engaged with the other disciplines including masterplanning and landscape design.”
Leon HartManaging Director, Alps Group
