Pre-Planning

We have experience of conducting upfront Engineering feasibility studies in various market sectors. Reviewing and then communicating the development site’s technical constraints against the project brief, we focus on providing value engineered concept solutions.

Our feasibility studies enable Clients to make informed decisions on the project requirements from a commercial standpoint ensuring a successful development.

Our wealth of experience enables us to offer a service that can be tailored to meet our clients needs.

Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Local Authorities are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach to mitigate and adapt to climate change, taking into account the risk of flooding in line with the objectives and provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008.

JMS have extensive knowledge and experience in producing FRAs for all types of development. Our FRAs will assess the risk of flooding under all current guidelines and consider all potential sources of flood risk.

Using drainage design software and liaising closely with the relevant governing bodies, JMS have the ability to provide a comprehensive FRA that will address all the questions asked by the planning process.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) contribute to site-wide amenity and offer the opportunity for a net gain in biodiversity. When introduced during project conception SuDS help to development the environment we work and live in by mitigating the impacts of developments on the environment.

The pillars of SuDS account for water quantity, quality, biodiversity, and amenity. As part of these pillars SuDS aim to mimic the natural water cycle as closely as possible, i.e dealing with rainfall as close to where it falls as possible. The JMS team have extensive experience using natural topography to add real value to developments we work on.

SuDS Strategy reports are required to support planning applications of sites classed as a Major Application, in a flood zone, or if the site is in a Critical Drainage Area. JMS have a wealth of experience in producing SuDS strategies which are sympathetic to the surroundings, cost effective to build and will achieve the local planning authority’s consent.

JMS can provide an all-in-one pre-application Transport Planning service to assist developments in meeting requirements to promote and encourage the use of sustainable transport modes.

In consultation with the Local Highway Authority, we can prepare a Transport Assessment or Transport Statement to be submitted in support of a planning application, comprising an assessment of the likely trip generations of a development proposal and, where necessary, conduct a full assessment of the impact on the local highway network and design mitigation measures in conjunction with our Civil Engineering team.

JMS can also design bespoke Travel Plans to meet Local Authority approval and assist users of a development in making sustainable transport choices.

JMS can carry out swept path analyses of existing and proposed junctions and site layouts, including parking areas, to ensure that they meet with the approval of the relevant authorities and that vehicles can access sites safely.

Whether it be a Nuclear Bomb Shelter or a domestic home extension, JMS has over 25 years experience of designing basements for all applications nationwide and particularly in the London area.  Our involvement in the design process will often come at the earliest stage where Basement Impact Assessments (BIA’s) are required as part of the planning application process.

The criteria set out by the planning authorities for BIA’s is often extensive and will involve a detailed examination of the ground conditions, groundwater, potential ground movement and the impact upon the surrounding area.

JMS has the knowledge and experience to address those requirements within a detailed report, ensuring that basement proposals are viable and constructed safely.