OUR PROJECTS

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CityStruct was appointed to provide pre-application planning support covering flood risk, drainage, transport, and highways matters to facilitate the development of approximately 150 homes on a 5.3-hectare parcel of land in South Derbyshire. 

The site was partly located within Flood Zones 1 and 2, requiring early coordination with the Environment Agency and the Lead Local Flood Authority. Working closely with the project architect, CityStruct helped refine the site layout to address statutory consultees’ requirements while maintaining development efficiency. 

To support the planning submission, CityStruct arranged the necessary traffic surveys and prepared a Transport Scoping Note, Outline Flood Risk Assessment, and Drainage Strategy. These demonstrated the technical viability of the scheme and set out a practical, cost-efficient approach for progression into the next design stages. 

The submitted documentation was well-received by the planning team, providing a clear framework for the development to advance to detailed design. 

CityStruct was brought in following a rejected planning application to provide a revised Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy for a proposed residential development at Deepdale Avenue, Manchester. The initial application had been refused due to the presence of a critical United Utilities water asset within the site boundary and insufficient flood mitigation measures for the site, which lies partly within Flood Zone 2. 

Acting promptly, CityStruct attended site to locate and agree the position and easements of the strategic Thirlmere Aqueduct with United Utilities. In parallel, a detailed Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy were prepared in line with the NPPF and local planning guidance, incorporating practical and sustainable design measures to ensure compliance and safety. 

Through clear technical evidence and early engagement with stakeholders, CityStruct provided the information needed to satisfy the planning authority and statutory consultees, enabling the development to move forward to the construction stage with confidence. 

CityStruct was appointed to provide full planning application support for a proposed residential development comprising twelve apartments with office accommodation located within the Todmorden Conservation Area. The site’s complex setting, partly within Flood Zones 2 and 3, required close coordination between the design team, the Environment Agency, the Lead Local Flood Authority, and Yorkshire Water. 

Our scope included the preparation of a comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment, Drainage Strategy, and Transport Statement to support the planning submission. CityStruct also commissioned and managed a full CCTV drainage survey to confirm the location, condition, and connectivity of existing assets, including a main river culvert and a redundant combined sewer within the site. 

Through early engagement and clear evidence-based reporting, we developed a compliant SuDS strategy with attenuated discharge to the public sewer network and demonstrated that the proposed finished-floor levels, access arrangements, and drainage design would ensure the development remains safe and sustainable throughout its lifetime. 

This coordinated package of assessments provided the planning authority with the technical confidence needed for the scheme to progress positively through determination. 

CityStruct was appointed to support the discharge of drainage-related planning conditions for the redevelopment of land to the rear of Soughbridge Mill in Lancashire. The scheme involved the demolition of two existing industrial buildings and the construction of three new Class B8 commercial units, providing a total gross floor area of approximately 1,700m², together with on-site parking and servicing facilities. 

Situated adjacent to a Main River and the historic Sough Bridge Mill complex, the site presented several engineering challenges, including proximity to the watercourse, limited access, and existing surface water connectivity. CityStruct’s scope included the preparation of a detailed drainage design, Construction Surface Water Management Plan (CSWMP), and Operation & Maintenance Manual, ensuring the proposals aligned with planning policy and statutory requirements. 

As part of our commission, we commissioned and managed a full CCTV drainage survey to confirm the alignment and condition of existing assets. The results informed the development of a new adoptable surface water network with restricted discharge to the adjacent watercourse at 5.5 l/s, optimising storage volumes and reducing construction cost while maintaining robust flood protection. 

Working collaboratively with the design team and the Lead Local Flood Authority, CityStruct delivered the required documentation and technical support to successfully discharge all drainage conditions, enabling the project to move confidently into construction. 

CityStruct was appointed to prepare a Flood Risk Assessment in support of a Class MA planning application to convert an existing office building at Norwest Court, Preston, into 37 self-contained apartments. 

The site lies within an area identified as being at risk of surface water flooding, requiring careful consideration of drainage connectivity and overland flow routes. CityStruct carried out a detailed review of local topography, flood mapping, and site drainage infrastructure to assess flood mechanisms and develop a suitable mitigation strategy. 

The assessment demonstrated that the development could be delivered safely without increasing flood risk elsewhere. Recommendations were made for surface-water management, resilient construction detailing, and long-term maintenance measures, providing the technical evidence necessary to support the planning submission and satisfy local policy requirements. 

CityStruct was appointed to support a change of use from offices (Class E) to a place of worship/community facility (Class F) in an established urban area of Stockport. Our role focused on addressing highway officer comments and providing robust evidence on access, parking and trip generation to accompany the planning submission.  

To evidence demand and manage impact, we prepared TRICS-based assessments for both the proposed community use. This allowed a clear like-for-like comparison of peak hour and daily movements across all modes.  

We complemented this with 2021 Census data to inform local mode share and car ownership assumptions, and set out a pragmatic parking and overflow management approach aligned to the site’s operational pattern. 

In response to the highway authority’s consultation, we provided an operational statement covering anticipated visitor numbers, event frequency, mode split expectations and parking controls, together with commitments on car park layout, surfacing/drainage/illumination details and EV-charging provision in line with local policy. The highway officer subsequently raised no objection, subject to conditions securing the car-park details and phased EV charging. 

CityStruct was appointed to support the discharge of planning conditions relating to transport and access for a religious and educational facility in Manchester. Our commission involved the preparation of a Traffic Management Plan and a Framework Travel Plan to satisfy the Local Highway Authority’s requirements. 

We undertook a detailed assessment of site operations, access arrangements, and on-street parking conditions to identify potential impacts during key operational periods. The resulting Traffic Management Plan set out clear measures for vehicle routing, parking control, and pedestrian safety, supported by a phased delivery and monitoring approach. 

In parallel, CityStruct developed a comprehensive Travel Plan promoting sustainable travel choices, setting achievable mode-share targets, and outlining measures to encourage walking, cycling, and public transport use. 

Through close engagement with the planning and highways teams, both documents were successfully approved, enabling full discharge of conditions and providing a clear framework for the site’s future operation. 

CityStruct was commissioned to prepare the full Section 38 technical submission for a residential development in Stratford-upon-Avon. Our role involved compiling as-built engineering plans, long-sections, and a detailed drainage catchment analysis to support highway adoption with Warwickshire County Council.

Working from topographical survey data and historical design records, CityStruct developed comprehensive engineering drawings capturing all existing highway features, levels, kerbs, and drainage infrastructure. The team also modelled the carriageway alignments and verified surface-water management arrangements to ensure compliance with the Warwickshire County Council Design Guide. 

This work provided the evidence base required for adoption discussions, helping progress the development towards formal Section 38 approval and ensuring the estate roads could be adopted efficiently by the local highway authority. 

 CityStruct was appointed to undertake a Road Restraint System (RRS) Assessment and review of existing road markings at Whitley Business Park following recommendations raised in a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit. 

Our scope included on-site inspection and assessment of two retaining wall structures located along Scimitar Way, where potential vehicle departure risks had been identified. Using the Provision of Road Restraint Systems on Local Authority Roads (PRRSLAR) guidance, CityStruct carried out a structured risk evaluation to determine whether installation of a Vehicle Restraint System (VRS) was justified. 

The findings concluded that both sites presented a low-priority risk, meaning the installation of a formal VRS was not required. Instead, proportionate low-cost mitigation measures were recommended, including the installation of advance bend warning signage. 

In parallel, CityStruct also prepared an as-built road marking review to ensure compliance with local highway standards and visibility requirements, providing the client with a clear, safety-focused record for future adoption.