Who we are

Planit IE are a young, dynamic landscape and urban design consultancy, with an enviable project portfolio and client list. Within Planit IE there is considerable experience of all facets of Landscape design and planning, including: -

• Masterplanning and Urban Design
• Landscape Planning, Visual and Tall Building Impact Assessment
• Public Inquiry and Expert Witness
• Contract Administration and Project Management

We are a commercially minded company and as such most of our plans see their way onto the ground. We have specific skills in the creation of quality Public Realm, in many cases with the integration of new and often contemporary structures. We have a particular track record with challenging schemes, be they in sensitive locations (Green Belt or Registered Landscapes) or where they are contrary to national or local Planning Policies.

We pride ourselves on having a strong team in depth, and with over 20 Landscape Architects and Urban Designers, Planit IE is the largest dedicated team in the North West. However, we also believe in relationship building, and with us who you see is who you get.

Vision Statement

The creation of successful, sustainable development requires innovative and integrated thinking and practice. We strive to create external spaces that stimulate the mind and enrich the soul.

All our projects embody the idea of ‘joined up thinking’, ensuring that the inter-relationship between man and his surroundings is acknowledged and built upon. So much of our environment is a product of the inter-relationship between buildings and their surroundings, and Landscape and Urban Design issues inform the success of any built development - separating the two only leads to a collection of isolated design statements. Our approach is always to draw upon the existing qualities of any site and use these as the building blocks for design.

Our passion for design is evident in all the layers of our work and we thrive in the multidisciplinary environment. We promote the concept of added value, achieved by thorough assessment of the constraints and opportunities, understanding the client’s perspective and considering the most appropriate course of action. It is always our intention to work alongside the team and client representatives to create a vision for a viable and sustainable solution.

Projects - What We Do

Ducie Tower, Manchester

Client – InaCity (now Ballymore)

In July 2003, Planit were appointed by InaCity to design a series of high quality spaces and squares for a major new mixed-use retail, leisure and residential development. 

The site was formerly used as the Terminus of the Ashton Canal corridor, importing and exporting timber, textile and ferrous materials. As a design concept these historical references establish the character and identity for each of the spaces within the public realm. The scheme proposes five new spaces linked along by the key axis and geometries of the site and building form.

A key to the site’s success is its links to the northern quarter, New Islington and the City of Manchester Stadium. In addition to the new connection to Piccadilly station, the site is opening up an active frontage on to a street that is currently bounded by blank 8m wall; there are new visual connections opened up to the north and a new canal basin created on the Rochdale canal.

Working alongside internationally renowned tall building specialists Woods Bagot, the scheme is set to transform the Manchester skyline and create a key destination within the Piccadilly area of the city. To understand how the building would interact with the city, our sister company, Virtual Planit, modeled the entire fabric of Manchester in 3D and created 60 viewpoints to assess the impact of the tower on the city skyline. That visualisation became a design tool in itself to examine the relationship of the tower to the scale of the surrounding buildings.

Central Village, Liverpool

Client – Mere Park and Ballymore

Over the past three years, Planit have been responsible for the preparation of Tall Building Assessments for some of the most significant proposed development within Liverpool City Centre, most notably the Central Village scheme for Mere Park and Ballymore.

Working again with Woods Bagot Architects and our colleagues at Virtual Planit, we have worked closely with the City Council, English Heritage and CABE to ensure the tall buildings that make up the development complement and enhance the setting of the WHS and Buffer Zone, in particular the Ropewalks area. This challenging process has, we believe produced what has the potential to be the most emblematic components of the City’s future skyline.

Our involvement has not stopped there, and last year we were appointed to take over Martha Schwartz’ concepts for the extensive Public Realm associated with the project and deliver it on site. The proposals centre around a 250m long, 10m wide ‘canal’ that will run the entire length of the development with extensive areas of hard landscape that will tie the site into the adjoining Ropewalks area and Knowledge Quarter. Detailed design work is complete and works are due to begin on site next month.

Project Jennifer, Great Homer Street, Liverpool

Client – St. Modwen Developments & Liverpool City Council

Project Jennifer is the largest single investment within North Liverpool’s current regeneration. In 2002 St Modwen Developments were appointed by Liverpool City Council as their Development Partner to deliver a mixed-use regeneration scheme worth in excess of £200 million.

Planit were appointed by the partners as Urban Designers and Landscape Architects and during the last two years we have prepared a Public Realm Framework that will tie the development into the surrounding urban fabric and link back to the City Centre. Aside from the creation of two new public squares, the project will also deliver the first phase of the regeneration of Everton Park, as well as a Management Plan for the entire new public realm.

Planning approval was granted in late 2006 and works are due to commence on site in the spring of 2008.

St Petersfield Regeneration

Client – ASK Developments & Tameside BC

In 2004 Planit won an OJEU advertised competition run by ASK and Tameside BC to act as Lead Consultants to design and implement the public realm as part of the regeneration proposals for St Petersfield, a new commercial quarter within Ashton Under Lyne. Working with Harttron Lighting, Boreham Engineers and Davis Langdon.

The concept for the public realm was to create a series of connecting high quality streets, walks and spaces that when taken in the context of the proposed buildings, become a destination and a reason for visiting Ashton in their own right.

The public realm responds to the sites former historic urban grain, and re-establishes the European connection in a contemporary design. The new urban spaces will be flexible and capable of being used for a variety of purposes in a variety of weather conditions. Further, the design of these spaces would be forward looking reflecting and celebrating the regeneration of the St Petersfield area and creating a strong yet contemporary synergy between the new development and the sites heritage.

Leopold Square, Sheffield

Client – ASK Developments & Gleeson Homes

ASK Property Developments, in collaboration with Gleeson Homes, are redeveloping the former Leopold Street school site in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, with the conversion of its listed buildings into an array of bars, leisure and restaurant uses. The site will be the first brought forward by private funding as part of the Sheffield Masterplan prepared for Urban Regeneration Company, Sheffield One.

ASK commissioned Planit in January 2002 to prepare detailed design proposals, initially for the public realm around the buildings. However, through collaborative design development the redevelopment of Leopold Street opened up the opportunity to create a new public square in the heart of Sheffield.

The design utilises the former playgrounds between the Victorian School buildings and also proposes public realm improvements to reinforce connections to the city centre and neighbouring City Hall.  The design proposes a mix of quality natural stone surfaces and lush planting, focused around a central ‘water wall’. Leopold Square is set to become a ‘Green Oasis’ within the context of a predominantly hard City Centre, a refuge for city dwellers and workers to escape from the cut and thrust of urban life.

New Century Park and the Green Quarter, Manchester

Client - Crosby Homes/ Lend Lease

This mixed-use development within Manchester’s Northern Quarter represents Crosby Home’s biggest investment in the City to date and Manchester’s largest single residential project. Planit were appointed early in 2004 to prepare a Landscape and Public Realm Masterplan for the extensive public and private spaces between and around the proposed buildings.

The project is a complex commission, as the design proposals have had to respond to the considerable level changes across the site; the need to balance residential privacy with pedestrian permeability and perhaps most important – to produce high quality hard and soft landscape proposals that meet Manchester City Council’s aspirations, whilst being deliverable within the budgetary constraints of a privately funded development project.

The first three phases are complete, with the key space – New Century Park – having been awarded a number of National regeneration awards, some prior to its completion.

Langley Green Space Strategy and the Furrows Park

Client – Rochdale MBC; Bowlee Park Housing (Riverside Group); Oldham & Rochdale HMRI

Langley is a 1950s housing estate, to the north of Manchester between Middleton and Rochdale. With its Radburn layout and overprovision of green space it has degenerated into a less-than-desirable place to live, work and bring up families – despite being on the edge of the Peak District. Planit have been working here for over five years since the Housing Stock Transfer from Manchester City Council and the last five years have seen our role grow considerably.

The challenges are common but one of Langley’s saving graces has come from its biggest liability – its green space. While the bricks and mortar were sorted through a partnership between Bowlee Park Housing and Lovells, the public realm and green space fabric were under funded, un-managed and unloved. Bowlee Housing and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council were doing their best but the advent of Housing Market Renewal funding changed everything. Our first challenge was, therefore, to find a way of showing the Audit Commission, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and local residents how spending on green space could lift values and aspirations. We offered up ideas based on CABE’s Does Money Grow on Trees? report to the stakeholders and the Housing Market Renewal Initiative team. With CABE Space supporting the development of a green space strategy for Langley through its enabling programme, we have produced a blueprint for the future and discovered a significant area of prime development land! Planit’s green space strategy informs the regeneration plans and delivery programme for restructuring the Langley Estate. The strategy produced a set of guidelines for the long-term improvement, management and maintenance of these open spaces, forming an implementation/ action plan, which created a framework for capital and revenue investment.

The next challenge was to put the theory into practice and build something. A fundamental component of the strategy was a link to the adjacent country park, so we set about designing Furrow’s Park – a new public park, more urban than rural, more continental than countryside. With our stakeholders, we decided that in order to change perceptions of Langley for good, a major step-change was required – out with the concrete blocks and catalogue seats, in with the granite plinths, mature trees and bold public art. The community has been behind the scheme from day one and works were completed in mid 2006.

Kings Dock, Liverpool

Client – David McLean Developments & City Lofts

For the last 3 years Planit have been working with Glenn Howells Architects for David McLean/ City Lofts on the creation of a new waterfont park as a component of the Kings Dock Masterplan. Given the profile of the site and its importance to the 2008 celebrations, the process has involved continuous consultation with Liverpool Vision, English Partnerships, the City Council and English Heritage.

A design for the park has been created that balances the predominantly hard Public Realm around the proposed Arena and provides the most significant greenspace along this stretch of the Mersey Waterfront. Detailed Planning Approval was granted in June and works are intended to commence on site in early 2007.

 

Government Academies and Building Schools for the Future Programme

Client – Various

Over the past three years, Planit have gained a rapid and detailed understanding of the design and specification of schools and places of learning.

Starting in July 2005 Planit were appointed by the Oasis Trust on behalf of the DfES, as Landscape Architects for two proposed Academy schools in North Lincolnshire. The appointment was daunting for two reasons, firstly because the design team was well established and secondly because we had no educational experience whatsoever!

Joining a team of heavyweights, including Capita Percy Thomas, Buro Happold and Gardiner Theobald was a challenge, as was trawling through all the relevant Building Bulletins pertaining to schools. However it became evident early on that this was going to be the easy bit and the real challenge was delivering exemplar landscapes that fitted the pre-defined budgets for each site.

What the next six months taught us was how important landscape and external facilities are to the ethos of Academy schools and in particular our client the Oasis Trust. Being new boys on the team actually helped us, as we were able to plough through the red tape and take on the challenge of what at times seemed to be an impossible brief. Meeting the aspirations of a range of vested interests including client, sponsor, architect, existing school staff and other consultants as well as matching the budget proved to be our biggest reward.

Detailed design packages for both academies well under way and works are due to begin on site in October 2007.  With a wealth of understanding we can now look back at the challenges overcome throughout the process, and carry the experience through to the next stages and ultimately onto other academies.

Closer to home, in September 2006 Planit were appointed by Chethams School of Music to produce a detail design proposal for the external works associated with the New School and refurbishment of the existing school. Working with our friends at Stephenson Bell Architects, the project involves the decanting of the existing schools academic activities into a new school building located on a triangular site wedged between Hunts Bank and Walkers Croft. It is also proposed that Palatine Building adjacent to Victoria Street be replaced by a new single storey building, which accommodates both a Chethams and Manchester Cathedral visitor centre. With a reduced built-form, views of Chethams Library and the Vallins Building are afforded. This visual connection to the Millennium Quarter, and Cathedral will preserve and enhance the setting of this unique collection of medieval buildings, within the City’s urban fabric.

This project may now form part of the Manchester BSF programme, which we have recently joined as Landscape Architects to work alongside Plincke Landscape architects for Laing O’Rouke and Balfour Beatty.

Masshouse, Birmingham

Client – Masshouse Developments & Nikal Investments

Planit have been appointed to produce the public realm proposals for the Masshouse development, which constitutes the first phase of the wider regeneration of the Eastside area.  This proposal builds upon the aspirations of the HOK International Outline Masterplan. 

Working in collaboration with Edward Cullinan Architects and Aedas we are working on a detailed public realm design for a total of 1.17 million sq ft mixed use development in Birmingham.

Enveloped by the development, the public realm drops the 12m change in level via a series of steps and terraces that interface with the proposed retail and commercial frontages.  Interconnected water cascades and pools, semi-mature trees, lighting, natural stone paving and artworks provide a strong identity to the proposals and a high quality connection between the City and the new City Park and proposed new library of Birmingham.

Chelsea Academy and Training Ground

Client – Chelsea Village

Planit were appointed to work alongside AFL Architects to design a new Training Academy for Chelsea Football Club in Cobham, Surrey.   A strong green foil helps to integrate the Academy into its Green Belt setting.  Specimen trees planted along the boundary pick up the radial vistas from set up by fin walls and openings within the building encouraging views out into the landscape.  The specimens provide focal points helping to anchor the scheme into its context.

Adjacent to the building high quality paving responds to the building form and marks the entrance.  By contrast to the training pitches, the reflective pool and sculptural planting adjacent to the players lounge encourages a relaxed environment and encourages views out into the wider landscape.

Longlands Mill, Stalybridge

Client – Urban Splash

In November of 2005, we finally achieved one of major goals – to work for Urban Splash! Since then it has been an intensive design process, working alongside competition-winning architects Spacecraft and engineers Atelier Ten to realise the vision of a new waterside community on the former Longlands Mill site in Stalybridge next to the River Tame.

The theme for the public and private spaces has been drawn from the surrounding landscape of the Peak District, with courtyards designed to reflect the progression in height, from lowland heath to the scree slopes of Kinder Scout… with some concrete sheep thrown in for good measure!

The heart of the external realm will be the new square and terraces adjacent to the River, formed by the removal of the oppressive boundary wall, with concrete pontoons that will stretch out across marginal planting and unite the residents with the water. The terraces have been designed to withstand flooding, with plant species chosen that reflect the natural riverbank ecosystems of the River within the Peak Park.

Stoke Masterplans & Regeneration Framework

Client – RENEW North Staffs; Countryside Homes; Stoke City Council; Stoke Vision

Planit-ie worked with GVA Grimley to produce an Area Regeneration Framework (ARF) for the Southern area of Stoke on Trent including Birches Head, Northwood , City Waterside, North Shelton, South Shelton (University Quarter ) and Stoke. 

Planit provided a detailed townscape analysis of the area and prepared a strategic vision, as well as detailed urban design guidance for specific sites. The ARF sets out the evidence behind and requirements for a broad pattern of intervention to secure housing market renewal and sustainable neighbourhoods. The ARF sets out the interventions to be delivered by the HMR Pathfinder and its partners.

Liverpool Football Club Stadium

Client – Liverpool Football Club

In late 2002, Liverpool Football Club appointed Planit IE as Masterplanners and Landscape Architects for their proposed ‘Stadium in the Park’.

The new Stadium is to be located within the Listed Stanley Park, adjacent to the current Anfield ground and is very much a landscape-led proposal. As well as dealing with issues in relation to the Stadium and its Historic Park setting, Planit have prepared a Restoration Plan for Stanley Park and proposals for the current Anfield site, to tie with the wider regeneration of Anfield/Breckfield and North Liverpool.

Integral to the commission is the creation of a new Urban Park located within a mixed-use regeneration scheme on the footprint of the current Anfield Stadium. The design process has taken account of the significant historical and sociological associations of the site, in particular the famous Kop stand and the memorial to those fans who died in the Hillsborough Stadium tragedy.

The project was granted Planning Approval in late 2004 and the Secretary of State chose not to call in the scheme. But the story does not end there…

In early 2007, just as works were about to begin on site, LFC was purchased by American Sports Billionaires Tom Hicks and George Gillette, and as well as money they brought with them a renewed vision for the Stadium in the Park and vigor for Liverpool to recapture the glory years of the 1970’s and 80’s. They appointed Dallas based HKS Architects, designers of amongst other things the new $1 billion dollar Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

We were fortunate enough to be retained and appointed to work with HKS and Whitby Bird engineers on a new Stadium design – based around the defining feature of Liverpool FC – the Kop. The challenge – to design a world-class stadium able to hold up to 80,000 fans in four months! Bearing in mind it took over four years the first time this would be no mean feat!

However, ably marshaled by our Planning Consultants, Turley Associates, the team worked tirelessly and the Planning Application was submitted in July.

Stanley Park, Liverpool

Client – Liverpool City Council

Following our work for Liverpool Football Club in relation to their proposed Stadium in the Park, in 2006 Liverpool City Council appointed Planit to prepare detailed restoration proposals for Stanley Park in its entirety.

Edward Kemp designed the park in the 1870’s and despite being on of seven Registered Parks in the City; it has been locked in a spiral of decline over the last 50 years. The advent of the Stadium in the Park and the formation of a Joint Venture Company between Liverpool City Council and LFC to manage the restored park is a once in a generation opportunity.

At the heart of the restoration proposals are two major changes to the park’s fabric – the regeneration of the Gladstone Conservatory and the reinstatement of the third lake. Both lie within the western historic core of Stanley Park and will act as balancing elements to the new Stadium.

The restoration works are to funded by European Objective One and Neighbourhood Renewal funds and contractors have been appointed.

Foxhill, Sheffield

Client – Artisan; Sheffield City Council HMRI

Foxhill is a key site within the Sheffield City Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI), lying on the edge of the Peak District, close to the town of Stockbridge. In 2004 Sheffield held an open competition to find a development partner and they chose Artisan with their architect Mecanoo, from Delft in Holland. Mecanoo’s concept was to create modern housing with the character of a moor side village, cut into the steep slopes of the site and providing a transition between the suburbs and the open countryside.

Having developed the concept, Artisan approached Planit to work with Mecanoo to create the setting for the development, again building on the idea of a natural landscape setting within which the new community would be established. For decades, the Dutch have been designing environmentally responsive, low maintenance landscapes full of native species and havens for wildlife – but over here we like our manicured lawns and clipped shrubs.

In response to this we have designed a landscape that changes in character as you move up the site – urban at its base, rural and unfinished at the crest of the ridge, focused around three ‘fingers’ that flow through the development at key pedestrian/ vehicular intersections. Gritstone walls become less coursed and more random, tree species have been chosen to echo their place within nature.

Having managed to convince the City Planners of our approach, we then set about on the Highway Engineers! As with their schemes in Holland, Mecanoo wanted the car to come a distant second place to the pedestrian and we shared their vision, as did Artisan, and after careful and relentless consultation… so did the engineers.

The development was granted Detailed Planning approval in early 2007 and works have just started on site.

KPT Tower, Karachi, Pakistan

Client – Aedas / Karachi Port Trust

In June 2007 Planit were commissioned by Aedas Manchester to work alongside themselves and Mott MacDonald to develop a landscape masterplan for the KPT Tower project in Karachi.  The proposals for the 5ha waterside site include a 76 storey (1000ft high) helical tower containing a 250 bed five star hotel and over a million sq ft of offices, an international conference/exhibition centre, a retail/leisure complex and 340no. apartments.

Our brief was to provide a setting that will emulate the architecture and international importance of this project. Whilst the aspirations of the client were clear, an understanding of the seasonal climatic conditions, security and intensity of use have been key drivers in the design process. The focus of the scheme is three connecting water bodies that provide visual reference to the inland sea with a dramatic water cascade that descends the primary pedestrian core to the car deck beneath. Defining the primary pedestrian route, a perforated sculptural canopy casts a tapestry of movement, pattern and welcome shade across the water and paths. Palm trees further define the main pedestrian routes providing shade and a more intimate scale from which to experience the space. Lighting will ensure that the space is charged into an exciting leisure destination by night.

To find out more, about this landmark project for Pakistan you can view the Aedas presentation by visiting ‘youtube’ and search under KPT Tower.

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Updated 19th October 2007