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The broad range of expertise and experience of the practice brings to architectural and town planning projects a high quality of building design combining architectural distinction within the established townscape providing the client with a unique blend of experience ability and energy.

The depth of experience amongst the principals: Michael West; Chris Francis; and Peter Long in the supervision of building works and the management of architectural contracts enables contracts to be undertaken with the highest possible assurance to clients with regard to timetable and cost.

They are joined on specific projects by: Michael Stratton; Henry Lawrence; and Stan Playford.

MICHAEL WEST, MCD, BArch (L’pool), FRTPI, RIBA, FRSA

For six years until 1981, Michael West was Borough Planner to the London Borough of Southwark before returning to private practice to found a town planning consultancy, now incorporated as West and Partners.

During a career of thirty years guiding and designing major developments in London, the provinces and overseas, Michael West has made numerous expert witness appearances at public inquiries for both the public and private sectors. His town planning expertise is combined with detailed experience of listed buildings and historic townscape.

His extensive experience of central and local government includes previous appointments as Deputy Director of Planning to the Government of Bermuda, Director of the Central London Planning Conference and principal posts with the Greater London Council and the City of Westminster.

He formerly engaged in private practice in the offices of Eric Lyons, Shankland Cox & Partners and Sir Hugh Wilson.

During the past twenty years he has advised national and international clients on commercial, manufacturing, residential and public works projects.

CHRIS FRANCIS

During twenty years town planning experience in local government up to 1982, Chris Francis guided the course of applications great and small through the statutory process. He advised upon the drafting of local plans policies for inclusion in emerging local plans.

He held appointments with Surrey County Council and Croydon Borough before leading for the local authority on development control of major projects at Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Southwark.

Since entering private practice in 1982 he has advised both public agencies and private clients on statutory town planning procedures and local government policy. Drawing upon his wide experience he has led negotiations for clients with local authorities and other statutory bodies on all types of development proposals.

He has been engaged in the preparation and management of large planning applications, the submission of appeals and the preparation of evidence for public inquiries.

He has been retained by clients to monitor the emergent local and unitary development plans and to make objection to statutory policies at inquiry.

Chris Francis undertakes assessment of the potential for securing planning permission on commercial and residential sites, with the object of securing funding for successful development.

He has advised clients on statutory town planning and related legislation in respect of several important central London developments.

Drawing upon his government experience, he has engaged in the negotiation and town planning input to the drafting of legal agreements for town planning benefits which are now frequently a requirement for successful development.

Road closures, footpath diversions and the many other statutory requirements attaching to development are matters Chris Francis attends to with the highway and other authorities and government departments to secure a speedy and satisfactory outcome.

PETER GREGORY LONG, BArch Dip, BCM, RIBA

Peter Long gained his degree in architecture at the University of Auckland, in his native New Zealand. He worked in private practice for six years in New Zealand before coming to Britain in 1979, during which time he designed and built a number of projects, notably Samoa House in Auckland, for the Samoan Government.

From 1979 to 1983, in private practice in London, he was involved in specialised design and contract supervision for two banking computer centres and was project architect for a computer suite and the refurbishment of office buildings in the City of London.

From 1983 to 1991, he was engaged in the London Bridge City development and was also responsible for office developments in Southampton and Redhill and the fitting out of a computer centre. Through the latter part of this period he was principally engaged in the design and construction of major brewery manufacturing buildings for Scottish and Newcastle.

Since joining West and Partners he has been responsible for preparation of the detailed schemes for private residential; hotels; headquarter offices; student and nursing accommodation; B1 estates and live/work accommodation undertaken by the practice.

From 1984 Peter Long has been actively involved with computer aided design in its development, management and as a user. During this time all major projects with which he has been involved were undertaken using CAD. This includes the production of two and three dimensional plans and sketches and detailed coloured presentation material.

MICHAEL J STRATTON, AADip, RIBA

Michael Stratton qualified at the Architectural Association in 1967 and has occupied senior design positions in both government and private practice.

He prepared school building design projects for the London Borough of Barnet before joining the Renton Howard Wood Partnership where he led the team for the two million sq.ft. Tolmers Square office redevelopment project in central London.

For the London Borough of Lambeth he prepared schemes of high density public housing utilised as innovative models for MOHLG design discussion.

From 1979 he engaged in the design of major commercial developments commencing with Minerva House, by Southwark Cathedral and including Cottons Centre, at London Bridge City, which he saw through from concept to completion, and 10 Stratton Street, London WC1.

Michael Stratton was the designer of Cottons at London Bridge City. He saw the building through from concept to completion and co-ordinated the final aspects of the development including Hays Galleria.

Recent work has covered a wide spectrum of commercial, industrial, education and leisure buildings.

Prominent has been work carried out for the Royal College of Surgeons of England where Workshops and work-stations for the training of surgeons in technologically advanced techniques have been created. This innovative work is ongoing in response to the application of the facilities across a broadening range of specialities together with advancing techniques. Michael Stratton is currently advising on similar facilities to be set up in Western Australia.

HENRY LAWRENCE

Details available shortly

STANLEY G A PLAYFORD, RIBA

Stanley Playford graduated at the Oxford School of Architecture in 1969 and initially worked in London followed by four years in the United States.

From 1975 to 1993 he worked on major projects as an Associate Partners of Michael Twigg Brown & Partners including St Mary Overie’s Dock a substantial office and residential development, ecclesiastical buildings and pharmaceutical facilities.

In 1993 he joined Pryse & Company to undertake the development of 85 luxury flats in Pimlico.

His experience includes extensive knowledge of all aspects of the building process, including administration, co-ordination and procurement of projects administered under the various forms of contracts with a variety of major builders and contractors. He is also a proficient user of CAD design facilities.