Leas Lift, Folkestone
On behalf of the Folkestone Leas Lift CIO, DHA secured planning and listed building consent for restoration works to the Grade II* listed, Leas Lift in Folkestone.
Acme
The lift was constructed in 1885 and is one of only three remaining water-balanced lifts in the country, providing an important insight into Folkestone’s cultural heritage as a seaside town and playing a significant role in public memory.
The lift was closed in 2017 due to insifficient funds for repairs, however with extensive community support, Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity has secured round one National Lottery Heritage Fund development phase funding to enable this important restoration project to become a reality.
The need to restore this important structure was recognised through its placement on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register and the team have welcomed the opportunity to work closely with Historic England on this project.
The extension of the lower station to provide a café, as well as the provision visitor facilities, a ticket office and exhibition space, will help to support the long-term maintenance and operation of the structure. This is alongside sustainability measures, which have been a core focus of the project to ensure that the lift is self-sufficient and can achieve its aim of being carbon net zero.
For more information about the Leas Lift and the fundraising efforts, please visit www.leaslift.co.uk.
Acme
Project Team
Alex has worked at DHA for more than 15 years and became Managing Director in 2016. Alongside overseeing the day-to-day running of the business, he remains passionate about planning and development.
Alex Hicken MRICS
Managing Director
Alex has worked at DHA for more than 15 years and became Managing Director in 2016. Alongside overseeing the day-to-day running of the business, he remains passionate about planning and development. He enjoys meeting clients, exploring opportunities, and advising on how DHA can help maximise the value of their land.
Alex began his career training as a Chartered Surveyor at BNP Paribas within their Development Consulting team, working on a variety of major housing, commercial and public-sector schemes. He joined DHA in 2010 and was promoted to Managing Director six years later.
He works across a broad range of residential and commercial projects, with key expertise in development viability, enabling development, asset optimisation, and strategic land.
Outside of work, Alex coaches a local junior rugby team.
Danielle is a Director and leads our Viability team as well as running a large caseload of planning projects.
Danielle Lawrence MRICS
Director
Danielle joined DHA in 2014 with a BSc in Real Estate from the University of Reading, having gained relevant planning & development experience through a series of placements in both the public and private sector. She qualified as a Chartered Surveyor of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2016 and has since focused on developing her career in planning and development.
During Danielle’s time at DHA, she has been involved on a number of developments including the construction of a performing arts centre and boarding house at an independent school, the restoration and extension of the Grade II* listed Leas Lift in Folkestone, care homes and student accommodation schemes.
Danielle also works closely with a number of housebuilders to deliver large scale residential-led developments across the South East.
Alongside planning, Danielle leads our viability team who specialise in providing advice on affordable housing and planning obligations. This includes advising clients on the viability of development schemes, preparing application stage Financial Viability Assessments at the and leading negotiations with local planning authorities on a range of residential and mixed-use schemes.
Jessica joined DHA Planning in Summer 2021 having completed her Geography BA degree and having done a Year in Industry in the City. She has also completed her Masters in Spatial Planning at University College London (UCL) and is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Jessica Bache MSc
Senior Planner
Project Experience
Since joining DHA Planning, Jessica has worked on a variety of projects from brownfield redevelopment to commercial, industrial and residential projects. Primarily Jessica specialises in major and strategic planning applications and local plan promotions for SMEs, regional and national housebuilders.
Local Authority Caseload and Policy Work
Jessica also undertakes caseload and planning policy work for Local Planning Authorities. This has included preparing evidence to support the imposition of an Article 4 Direction at Medway Council.