• Landscape Institute Commendation and Project Excellence Award, AXIS is delighted to announce that the Environment Agency’s Caldew and Carlisle City Flood Alleviation Scheme received a Commendation in the 'Urban Design and Masterplanning' category at the 2009 Landscape Institute Awards. The Judges commented that AXIS involvement resulted in this being 'a thorough and rigorous project which understands the site's constraints and addresses them'. Furthermore, the same scheme was awarded the Project Management Award and Overall Winner at the Environment Agency’s prestigious Project Excellence Awards 2009
• Archaeological discovery, During the course of a site walkover to brief contractors on the clearance of trees for the A470 road improvements near Llanrwst, Alex Radley of AXIS identified some unusual surface features part buried within the woodland. Subsequent inspection by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd. confirmed that the features were World War II “sangers” (a type of concealed observation posts) thought to be unique to North Wales, which were part of UK response to a potential German sea invasion after Dunkirk
• Appointments, AXIS is pleased to continue to buck the economic trend by welcoming two new members of staff. Lee Ellis is a specialist in wind farm visualisation and will be further extending AXIS’ capability in delivering a comprehensive EIA service to wind farm developers. Andrew Russell is a specialist in EIA coordination who is joining AXIS from Gifford. Andrew brings extensive experience and consolidates our already strong team in delivery of EIA for infrastructure across a variety of sectors
• K Club success, AXIS Directors David Jones and Nick Roberts reached the semi final of the annual Zeus Land golf competition in September 2009. The pair battled through the first three rounds to the two day ‘finals’ (semi final and final) held at Dublin’s K Club, venue of the 2006 Ryder Cup. Unfortunately their progress was abruptly halted in the semis with a heavy defeat at the hands of the Elan Homes pairing. David and Nick would like to thank all at Zeus Land for their fantastic hospitality in Dublin

New commissions:

• River Mersey Flood Alleviation Scheme, Warrington, following on from its success on the Carlisle flood alleviation scheme, the team comprising AXIS, Jacobs, Halcrow and Volker Stevin, has been commissioned by the Environment Agency to develop proposals for the first phase of this comprehensive scheme for Warrington. AXIS will be preparing the EIA scoping and screening request and the subsequent Environmental Statement, coordinating all planning submissions and setting the design parameters for the scheme proposals
• Consultancy Framework, AXIS has continued its successful collaboration with Gifford through the appointment onto the North Wales Trunk Road Agency (NWTRA), Engineering Consultancy Framework. Axis has partnered with Gifford on this commission and will provide landscape design and environmental assessment services for the period of the framework. Axis has enjoyed a successful working relationship with NWTRA in recent years and looks forward to further strengthening these links through the framework
• Wind Farm EIA, AXIS has secured a commission with Waste Recycling Group to undertake an environmental impact assessment for a 4 turbine wind energy development in North Lincolnshire. The project was secured following a competitive tender process
• Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm Public Inquiry, AXIS has been appointed to prepare landscape and visual evidence for a public inquiry following the non determination by The City and County of Swansea Council of a planning application by RWE Npower. Mynydd y Gwair lies within one of the areas (Area E) identified by the Welsh Assembly Government in its draft Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN 8), considered most suitable at a strategic level for large-scale wind farms. The proposal would comprise 19 turbines, each with a height of 127 metres to the blade tip
• Community Health Centre, Axis Transport Planning have been commissioned by Prima 200 to manage the production and technical approval of S278 detailed highway design drawings for supporting highway works to the Cobridge Community Health Centre. This process will include for the carrying out of a public consultation event involving local residents and business owners during January / February 2010
• Mixed Use Development, Macclesfield, Axis Transport Planning have been commissioned to provide highways and transportation advice as part of the consultant team working on the re-development of the former Rieter Scragg Industrial Site, Langley, Macclesfield. The site currently provides over 15,000sqm of industrial development and is to be promoted for comprehensive mixed use development, including new residential development, an elderly care centre, village community facilities, live / work units and an enterprise centre. Axis staff attended a public ‘planning for real’ consultation day in December 2009 in support of the scheme, which was attended by over 200 local residents
• Housing Proposal, Wigan, Axis Transport Planning have been commissioned by Russell Homes to provide highway design and transport assessment input for proposals for up to 100 new dwellings in Pemberton, Wigan. The scheme proposals include for the design of new access works and the re-alignment of a proposed strategic relief road
• SITA Vehicle Depot, Hounslow, Axis Transport Planning have been commissioned by SITA to provide highways and site design services to support a new vehicle park and recycling store at Hanworth, Hounslow. The proposals would provide a new base for the kerbside recycling collection fleet serving the London Borough of Hounslow
• Waste PFI Projects, AXIS continues to be heavily committed on providing planning services in respect of many of the UK’s major long term waste management contracts. At present the company is advising the successful bidders on contracts in: Worcestershire & Herefordshire; Cornwall; Surrey; Shropshire; Derbyshire; Wrexham; and Nottinghamshire. In addition AXIS has an ongoing a role advising bidders in respect of future contracts in: North London; Milton Keynes, Gloucestershire; Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; Norfolk; North Yorkshire; BDR; South East Wales and Project Transform (Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire)
• A494 Record of Determination, AXIS has been commissioned to prepare a Record of Determination for proposed junction improvements on the A494 Maesgamedd Road at Gwyddelwern in Denbighshire. The proposed works include cutting back the adjacent landform to provide visibility splays, carriageway realignment and creation of new embankments. Axis is coordinating all surveys and desk-based study to a very short timescale in order to meet a tight Welsh Assembly Government/ NWTRA programme

Planning Consents secured:

• Peterborough EfW Facility, following AXIS was responsible for the submission of a planning application for a new 65,000 tpa Energy from Waste plant to serve Peterborough. On 24 November 2009 the City Council resolved to grant planning permission. AXIS is presently working on legal agreements and discussion of conditions in order that the consent can be issued
• British Land plc, AXIS has secured planning permission for the change of use of two units at Broughton Shopping Park, near Chester. This permits the development of two new food outlets (A1 to A3 conversion)
• Section 96A / Non-material amendments, in January 2010 AXIS secured it’s first ever consent under the new Section 96A of the Planning Act for a non-material amendment to the planning permission for a 40MW straw fired power station at Sleaford in Lincolnshire. This was submitted on behalf of Eco 2 Ltd, for whom AXIS secured the full planning permission
• Scrap Metal Recovery Facility, on 22 January 2010, AXIS secured planning permission for the development of an advanced scrap metal recovery facility on behalf S Norton (and Axion Recycling), one of the UK’s leading scrap metal processors. This will enable the company to comply with new waste recycling targets arising from the EU Directives on end of life vehicles and waste electrical and electronic equipment
• Woolston Deposit Grounds, AXIS has secured planning permission on behalf of W Maher & Son's for site facilities associated with their operations at the Woolston Deposit Grounds, an aggregate recovery and processing facility located within a SSSI and in the green belt alongside the Thelwall Viaduct in Warrington
• Colomendy Centre, Denbighshire, following objections received to the proposed permanent diversion of 2 lengths of footpath under S257 of the T&CP Act 1990, AXIS provided evidence at Public Inquiry in December 09. The inspector determined that 1 of the 2 paths can be diverted, agreeing that there remained development for which planning permission had been granted that required the footpath to be diverted. Kingswood as operator and Liverpool City Council as freeholder are reviewing their position in respect of the remaining footpath
• Niramax Waste Management Facility upgrade, In February 2010 AXIS secured planning consent for the change of use from industrial to sui-generis (waste management) of an existing building and construction of higher level conveyor to provide for the installation of mechanical waste treatment and briquetting plant at an existing waste management facility at Longhill near Hartlepool. Whilst the application received considerable local opposition, primarily targeted at the client's adjacent landfilling operations, no objections were received from statutory consultees including the Environment Agency and the Council's own Environmental Health Officer. AXIS were responsible for the preparation of the planning application and supporting planning and transport statements, as well as liaison with the Local Planning Authority
• Morpeth Pumping Station, AXIS secured planning and listed building consent with the subsequent discharge of planning conditions for the infilling of the former Environment Agency pumping station and adjacent dry dock. The walls of the dry dock are listed structures, forming the eastern extremity of the former Morpeth Branch Dock, and therefore it was required that the materials and working method be specified to ensure that the walls could be exposed at a later date, supported by detailed recording prior to infilling. AXIS prepared the planning application and supporting statement, coordinated both archaeological and ecological surveys, and undertook liaison with the Local Planning Authority

• Landscape Institute Awards 09 The Caldew and Carlisle City Flood Alleviation Scheme, a project that AXIS has been involved with since its inception, has been short listed for an award in the Urban Design and Masterplanning category of the 2009 Landscape Institute Awards. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Jonathan Porritt on 19 November 2009 at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, London. The Awards are presented to encourage and recognise outstanding examples of work by the landscape profession
• Urban Design Award The news of the Landscape Institute Awards nomination builds on the success already achieved by the same project in gaining a Highly Commended award in the recent Institute of Highways and Transportation Awards at the RAF Museum, Hendon



• AXIS is going to be exhibiting at BWEA31 in Liverpool, 20-22 October 2009.  BWEA31 is the UK's leading three day renewable energy conference and exhibition. There will be a lot to see and do, and the exhibition is free to attend on Day 3. Come and see us at stand 5. You can find out all about it at www.bwea31.com

• Appointments AXIS continues to grow despite the difficult economic conditions and is pleased to welcome two new members of staff this summer. Andrew Barton joins the planning team in Wilmslow from RPS and Catherine Larmouth, formerly of Knight Frank has joined the planning team in Chester

New commissions:

• A477 St Clears to Red Roses Highway Improvement, Roadbridge Sisk Joint Venture has been awarded the contract to construct this £30m ECI road scheme in South Wales. AXIS is a key part of the consultancy team and will work closely with Gifford to provide design advice and inputs to the EIA process and any subsequent public inquiry
• Meir Primary Care Centre, AXIS has started work on the preparation of detailed Transport Assessment and Travel Plan reports to support the development of this development in Stoke on Trent. The project will consolidate seven GP practices and other supporting PCT services within a new state of the art public health building. AXIS will undertake staff and patient travel surveys and a detailed staff diary exercise.
• Country Park Visitor Study, AXIS has been commissioned jointly by Denbighshire County Council Countryside Services and Cadwyn Clwyd to undertake a visitor flow feasibility study for the Clwydian Range AONB focussing on Loggerheads Country Park. The study seeks to address parking problems along the A494(T) by considering the underlying reasons, exploring where additional parking capacity can be provided adjacent to SSSI/SAC boundaries and measures to prevent parking along verges to enhance the appearance of the AONB.
• Cae Ddol Park Ruthin, AXIS has been commissioned by Denbighshire County Council to prepare proposals for Cae Ddol, the main public park in Ruthin. Plans will be prepared showing an analysis of the existing strengths and weaknesses of the park and options for future improvements to be used in a forthcoming public consultation exercise.
• Wind Farm EIA, AXIS has secured a commission with E.ON Climate and Renewables to undertake an environmental impact assessment for a 9 turbine development. The project was secured following a competitive tender process.
• Gloucestershire PFI, AXIS has been appointed to provide planning advice to leading European waste management company Urbaser in its bid to secure the waste disposal contract in Gloucestershire. AXIS will undertake a planning policy review and site appraisals to inform the competitive dialogue process
• Traffic and Highway Assessment Work, the AXIS transportation team has been instructed on several projects including:
  - a new residential development on Middle Hillgate, Stockport.
  - conversion of existing commercial garage sales buildings and associated land for residential land use at Bosley, East Cheshire;
  - new residential development in Woodley, Stockport.
• Castle Hill Farm, AXIS has been commissioned to carry out a transport appraisal for a project to convert Castle Hill Farm and associated outbuildings into upto eight new residential units. The project involves the sensitive re-development of this landmark rural site, which includes a castle moat feature designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. AXIS will design the internal access layout, parking areas and a new connection to the local highway network
• Cherry Hill Waste, AXIS has been appointed to provide traffic and transportation engineering services for the development of an existing skip hire business to provide a 150,000 tonne waste transfer station, new household waste site and Energy from Waste plant at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire.

Planning Consents secured

• Mynydd y Betwys Windfarm - Appeal allowed, On 10 June 2009, the Welsh Assembly Government approved the Mynydd y Betwys Windfarm following a call-in inquiry in September 2008. AXIS reviewed the L&VIA submitted with the planning application and prepared expert witness evidence in respect of landscape and visual effects of this 16 turbine, 36.8MW scheme to address objections from CCW and a number of other third parties
• Aldi Knutsford, Aldi Stores has been successful with their planning application to construct a new store at their site in Knutsford. Knutsford suffers from significant traffic congestion during the peak periods and a new food store would potentially create further problems with the highway network left in its current form. Axis has designed and modelled an improvement scheme that not only mitigates increases in traffic movement as a result of the new food store but will also allow the Local Highway Authority to deliver an Urban Traffic Control system in the future. Through complex signal programming and connectivity Axis have demonstrated how movement of traffic can be improved and pedestrian crossings accommodated without detriment to vehicle delay times and queuing.
• Durham Gate Spennymoor, Following confirmation from Government Office that the application will not be called in, Carillion Arlington real Estate Partnership have been successful in securing planning permission for the vibrant Durham Gate development. The development, which is set to revitalize 60 acres of former industrial land, is underpinned by an innovative highway improvement scheme. The scheme, which was designed and tested by Axis, will provide increased highway capacity to accommodate 400,000sqft of office space, 400 new homes, a hotel and a local centre. Axis' staff have been responsible for the preparation and derivation of the innovative highway scheme and for ensuring that the development is not dominated by highway infrastructure to ensure urban realm initiatives can be realized.
• Danes Moss Landfill Extension of Life, AXIS has successfully secured planning permission on behalf of Waste Recycling Group for a three year extension of life at the Danes Moss landfill facility in East Cheshire, enabling 200,000m3 of remaining void to be utilised. The application also provided for re-phasing of the consented operations. Permission is granted subject to the signing of a legal agreement.
• Caldew and Carlisle City FAS, AXIS secured planning approval for a suit of amended proposals for the flood alleviation scheme including alterations to a habitat enhancement area on the banks of the River Eden, modifications to a Showman's Site and changes to the alignment of sections of walls
• Wigan FAS Phase 2, Wigan Council Planning Committee resolved to grant planning permission for the Wigan Dam, an Environment Agency promoted scheme to provide a 1:100 year standard of protection for the town centre by storing flood water in the Douglas Valley. Whilst a resolution has been taken, any decision will be subject to further consultation on 1 aspect, compliance with a set of conditions and entering into a legal agreement.
• Derbyshire Recycling Facilities, AXIS has secured planning permission for two new Household Waste Recycling Centres that will serve the residents of Derbyshire and assist in improving recycling rates in the County. The sites are located at Clay Cross and on the outskirts of Rowsley

Projects completed

• Primary Healthcare Facilities, AXIS has recently completed the preparation and submission of detailed Travel Plans for two new primary care healthcare facilities at Sparkbrook, Birmingham and at Hanley, Stoke on Trent.

Planning Submissions

• Meteorological mast application, AXIS has submitted a planning application to Eden District Council for a 60m meteorological mast at Lazonby Fell, Cumbria. The mast will be used to collect detailed wind speed data at the site, for which AXIS is currently preparing an environmental impact assessment for a 12.5MW windfarm

Eastcroft EfW Third Line Appeal Allowed. On 12 February AXIS received notification from the Secretary of State that the appeal (for non-determination) by Waste Recycling Group of their expansion of Nottingham's Eastcroft Energy from Waste facility had been allowed. The Inspector recommended both approval and a partial award of costs (in favour of WRG), both of which were supported by the S of S. AXIS submitted the planning application on behalf of WRG and provided expert witnesses in respect of planning & need, landscape & visual impacts and traffic & transportation. This major Inquiry (led for the appellants by Rhodri Price Lewis QC) was the first modern planning examination of the plant. The plant was originally granted planning permission in the early 1970s with Nottingham City Council being both applicant and determining authority.

Urban Design Award. The Caldew and Carlisle City Flood Alleviation Scheme - a project that AXIS has been involved with since its inception - has been short listed to receive an Urban Design Award at the forthcoming Institute of Highways and Transportation Awards at the RAF Museum, Hendon in June 09. In further recognition of the plaudits that the project is receiving, the president of the ICE visited the works during March.

Carlisle Flood Defences - Final Phase. Detailed design of the final, downstream phase of the Carlisle flood defences has now commenced, incorporating environmental enhancement works alongside the River Eden. Opportunities are being taken to introduce extensive areas of wet woodland, ponds and reed beds

Wilmslow Half Marathon. Three AXIS runners - Oliver Meek and Alistair Yates from the Wilmslow office and Alistair McNay from the Chester office - competed in the Wilmslow Half Marathon on the 29th of March. The event contained a high calibre field as it hosted the English Half Marathon Championships. In what turned out to be a warm day, none of our athletes challenged the front of the field but all returned respectable times.

New commissions:

• Airport Viewing Facility. AXIS has been commissioned by Peel Holdings to take forward the development of an airport viewing facility on a former landfill site close to its Robin Hood (Finningley) Airport, near Doncaster. AXIS will first regularise existing planning consents for the site, which has been used as an inert waste landfill and skip recycling facility. The proposal is then to infill the remaining void and to complete the restoration of the site to provide an area of scrub, woodland and pasture, together with a raised airport viewing platform at the site's southern extremity.
• Specialist Environmental Studies. Manchester Airport has commissioned AXIS to carry out a study of sites around the periphery of its operational area to determine whether these are suitable for a range of development opportunities. The output of the study will form part of Manchester Airport's evidence base for submissions to Manchester City Council and Cheshire East Council in their respective LDP documents
• Noise impact assessment. Environment Agency has commissioned AXIS to coordinate preparation of a noise impact assessment of the proposed earth moving and sheet steel piling activities associated with the construction of the Lunt Meadows Washlands flood storage area at Sefton, Merseyside. The results of the assessment will allow discharge of a pre-commencement condition attached to an earlier consent, thereby enabling commencement of the development
• Remembrance Park. Axis has been commissioned by Co-Operative Funeralcare, to undertake a wholesale site redesign of the Mayfield's Remembrance Park at Eastham on the Wirral peninsular. The site is set within greenbelt and commands extensive views across the River Mersey to Liverpool and John Lennon Airport. The new layout will provide areas within the site with varying character, screening and shelter while still maintaining key vistas and the overall feel of openness inherent in the surrounding greenbelt.
• Residential development. AXIS has been commissioned to undertake a Transport Assessment for a development of 102 residential units on the fringes of Winsford, Cheshire by Anwyl Homes.
• Central Manchester Travel Plan. AXIS has been commissioned by Eastern Green Ltd to prepare a Travel Plan for its Adelphi Square mixed use development at Piccadilly, Manchester. The development will provide a mix of offices and A3 commercial accommodation.
• Farm Building Regeneration Scheme. AXIS has been commissioned by Hallams Commercials Ltd. to consider a scheme to provide new office accommodation within existing farm buildings at Irongates Farm, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

Planning Consents secured

• Gas Storage. Axis has secured planning permission, on behalf of EDF Trading Gas Storage Limited, for the conversion of 10 underground brine cavities to store natural gas, the extension of an existing gas processing plant and link to the National Gas Transmission System, electricity and manifold compounds and associated infrastructure, on a 107 hectare site at Hill Top Farm, Hole House Farm, Parkfield Farm and Spring Moss Farm, Near Warmingham, Cheshire. Cheshire County Council resolved to grant consent at their Development Regulatory Committee on the 9 March 2009, and following the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement providing for, amongst other things, the creation of a local liaison meeting, a green travel plan and financial contribution to a highway improvement scheme, planning permission was granted on the 31 March 2009. The permission provides for the displacement of approximately 1.9 million tonnes of brine, which will be processed at the existing British Salt factory in Middlewich, and subsequent storage and processing of up to 224,000 tonnes of natural gas.
• Hazardous Substances Consent. Axis has secured a Hazardous Substances Consent (HSC), on behalf of EDF Trading Gas Storage Limited, for the storage and processing of 224,000 tonnes of natural gas at Hill Top and Hole House Farms, Near Warmingham, Cheshire. Cheshire County Council issued the HSC on the 30 March 2009.
• Integrated Materials Recycling Facility. AXIS submitted a planning application for a new 100,000 tpa Integrated Materials Recycling Facility (IMRF) on behalf of Peterborough City Council earlier this year. On 14 April planning permission was granted, leaving open the way for the determination of a second application, for an Energy from Waste plant, on the existing MRF site. The EfW application was also submitted by AXIS and is scheduled for determination in June this year.
• Green Waste Composting. On 13 March, AXIS secured planning permission for an open windrow composting facility for a 12,000 tpa green waste management facility at Moreton on Lugg in Herefordshire. This is latest of around 25 planning permissions secured by AXIS staff for Mercia Waste Management who hold the 25 year waste PFI contract for Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The application process involved extensive public consultation and was supported by several specialist studies, AXIS having established that it was not EIA development.
• New Nursery Access. Approval has been secured for a new access layout on Green Belt land for Cronton Nurseries, at their site in Knowsley, Merseyside.
• Recycling Facility. On 19 March AXIS secured planning permission, on behalf of Veolia Environmental Services, for the change of use of an industrial unit to a recyclables bulking facility in Hertfordshire.
• Materials Recycling Facility / Refuse Derived Fuel and Gasification Plant. On 19 February, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council resolved to grant plant permission, subject to a Section 106 Agreement, for a new 400,000 tpa waste management facility at Hooton. The scheme comprises: materials recycling, intermediate treatment to form a refuse derived fuel and a gasification plant (Waste Incineration Directive compliant). AXIS acted on behalf of the developers, New Earth Biossence Ltd, an SPV involving New Earth Energy, as specialist planning advisors, a role they have undertaken for over 18 months. AXIS is presently advising on planning conditions and the S 106 Agreement.
• Green Waste Composting Facilities. Planning permissions have been secured on behalf of 3C Waste Limited to extend the life of existing Green Waste Composting Facilities located within two strategically important landfill sites (Gowy and Maw Green) in Cheshire.

Planning Submissions

• Biomass Power Station. In March AXIS prepared a revised submission for a 40MW straw fired power station at Brigg in North Lincolnshire, on behalf of Eco 2 Ltd. The application includes extensive modifications to the flood mitigation scheme included with the previous application, bringing all mitigation measures 'on-site' in an innovative solution jointly developed by AXIS staff.
• British Land plc. AXIS has submitted two Section 73 applications on behalf of British Land plc (on of the UK's largest development companies) to vary a number of planning conditions associated with the extension of Broughton Shopping Park, near Chester. The applications seek to facilitate the early implementation of an extension to the existing Tesco Extra, with a new 90,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer (and other retail units) following on in a second phase. AXIS secured the original extension permission for a 200,000 sq ft extension of the Park in 2007.
• Household Waste Site. On 28 April AXIS submitted a planning application for a wholly new Household Waste Site to serve Kington in Herefordshire on behalf of Mercia Waste Management who hold the 25 year waste PFI contract for Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
• Carlisle Flood Defence Works. A number of planning applications have been submitted on behalf of the Environment Agency for flood defence works at Parham Beck and alongside the River Eden. These are the latest in a series of planning applications relating to the £25m flood defence scheme.