1. Conversion and extension of the New Inn, Public House, (a Listed Building) Drayton, near Cosham, to an Indian Restaurant (the Spice Village)

1The owner of the Spice Village Indian restaurant in Emsworth, purchased the freehold of the New Inn, and John Groom has been carrying out all the planning and building regulation work, then advising the owner on construction. (A number of subcontractors have been employed directly by the owner) As the building is Listed, obtaining the various consents has be a protracted process, and has caused many delays, but all permissions have been granted Work is proceeding, but there have been delays caused by design problems with the air-conditioning. Interior designers have provided a design for a restaurant of 100 covers. Work has restarted and the expected completion date is now early in 2012

www.spicevillagedrayton.co.uk

	Roof Stripped
New roof complete

2 Redevelopment of boatyard: Chichester Harbour: planning permission was granted in March 2010 after 1.5 years of negotiation:

The site has 2000 sq m (22,000 sq ft) of industrial buildings and offices which date from the 1930's and 1940's. Though boat building no longer takes place, much business is generated in the repair, maintenance and osmosis treatment of pleasure craft. The site is in a sensitive harbour side location, (AONB & SSSI) and John Groom and consultants have provided sixteen technical reports. It took well over a year of negotiations with Havant Borough Council, the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Natural England the Environment Agency and others. The first phase of the installation of the 40 new pontoons, has been completed. Delays have been caused by the requirement for further contamination tests. The first construction phase should commence in the spring of 2012, to allow the business to operate during construction works. The second phase will start in 2013. Detailed design of the steel frame is complete, and a building regulation application will be made shortly.

3 Conversion of Listed Building to seven apartments: Farnham Surrey.

A scheme has been designed to convert an office building of 340m2 (3600 sq ft) close to the centre of Farnham, into seven one and two bedroom apartments. A planning application was submitted, but had to be withdrawn in January 2009 due to an unexpected planning policy problem caused by the Local Planning Authority. The issue was programmed to be solved by the middle of December 2009, but this was delayed until the end of July 2010. Although we were totally powerless to speed matters up, a complaint was made to the Local Government Ombudsman but this was rejected (expected by worth a try): Two planning applications were submitted in September 2010 for four and seven apartments. Planning permission for four apartments was granted in November 2010. Work has started on the conversion work.    

4.  Demolition of coach house and erection of garage block with studio above

In the grounds of a classic Victorian (1870) rectory that was converted into four apartments in the 1960's, stands the original coach house which has fallen into disrepair. The client wishes to demolish the building and erect a new one with three garages below and a studio above. As a result of a previous planning appeal decision a sunlight expert has been employed and calculations made and a planning application was been submitted. The application was recommended for approval, but at the planning meeting, the Councillors of the committee refused permission, and had to provide a reason for refusal. A planning appeal was submitted and the appeal was allowed and planning permission granted. The client will probably start construction work in the spring of 2012

5.  Work to 'Spice Village' Indian restaurant in The Square Emsworth

A planning application by John Groom was approved for a previous owner,  to convert the first floor into six ensuite letting bedrooms. The current owner decided to use the rooms for staff accommodation and they had to be upgraded as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Negotiations were held with the local authority and fire officer. Drawings were produced and the work carried out. Planning permission was obtained for an external staircase to allow the removal of an internal staircase so that the kitchen could be enlarged. Other works are ongoing

6.  Detached chalet bungalow for a self build client: Horndean