St Patrick’s Barracks

GM Design were appointed by the then Department for Social Development – now Department for Communities, to prepare a Development Plan for the redevelopment of the 14.8 hectare former St Patrick’s Barrack’s MoD site in Ballymena for a range of public sector interests. We identified the range of public sector bodies who declared an interest in acquiring land within the site (including PSNI,NIHE, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Education Authority, Department of Education and NI Science Park)

We consulted with them to establish their specific requirements including land take and any locational requirement within the site. Having regard to the sites physical and environmental constraints including flooding, traffic and access, topography and contamination and individual Stakeholder requirements we prepared an agreed option for the Development Plan that was ratified by all interests.

ARCHITECTURE

Our talented Architectural team includes RIBA & RIAI Chartered Architects, as well as CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologists – delivering everything from small residential extensions through to major commercial & industrial schemes, with a core focus on sustainability, innovation & providing our clients with service of the highest quality from inception to completion.

Our Architectural Services include but are not limited to:
· Site selection & appraisal
· Feasibility studies
· Residential & commercial development planning
· Procurement
· Historic buildings consent
· Funding Applications
· Statutory approvals
· Construction & contract management
· Design & build delivery
· Major & cyclical works programmes
· Condition surveys
· New build
· Refurbishment
· External works
· BIM (Building Information Modelling)

Our sectors:
·Hospitality
·Infrastructure/Commercial/Offices
·Community/Sport + Leisure
·Education
·Housing

Landscape Architecture

As a Landscape Institute Registered Practice, the Practice offers a full landscape architecture design service from initial site analysis and concept design through to detailed design and construction information. Adopting a sustainable design approach, we incorporate the principles of biodiversity and ecological design in the implementation of all projects. Our landscape architectural services include but are not limited to:

· Landscape Architecture / Urban Design
· Landscape Masterplanning
· Public Realm
· Residential, commercial and mixed-use Landscapes
· Green / Blue Infrastructure / Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
· Active travel, public greenways, paths, trails & parks
· Education, Hospital and University campuses
· Recreational Landscapes, Golf courses, sports facilities & children’s play areas
· Parking & access arrangements
· Wayfinding and public art
· Historic and Coastal Landscapes
· Bespoke Private gardens.
· Landscape & Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA)
· Expert witness for planning appeals / public enquiries
· Caravan, holiday parks & marinas
· Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
· Planting schedules, management & maintenance plans

Planning Consultancy

The Practice has extensive expertise and exceptional experience in all areas of planning practice including:

Planning Appraisals & Site Feasibility
Planning Applications
Enforcement, provision of advice on regularising unauthorised development
Planning Appeals, Public Inquires and Area Plan. Preparation of written evidence and oral presentation at Appeals and Inquiries
Expert witness and licensing for legal hearings, appeals and public inquiries
Environmental impact assessment
Retail impact assessments
Renewable energy proposals including wind turbines, photovoltaics, etc
Brown field redevelopment & consideration of land contamination
Urban realm and regeneration
Strategic planning and master planning – for the co-ordinated and comprehensive development of large scale sites for residential,commercial and mixed-use developments