The Sternberg Centre is the most active centre of non-orthodox/Reform Judaism outside the United States. It comprises four separate but inter-related organisations – a School, a college, a synagogue, community support and administration.  These high quality and successful services were constrained by the site’s listed Manor House and other outdated buildings, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.   
Lichfield Planning were invited in 1998 to advise on a development strategy that would meet the users’ disparate needs as well as gain planning permission for significant changes on this site.  Changing requirements and reaching agreement between the user organisations took its time, as did negotiations with English Heritage and Barnet, culminating with Planning Permission in 2005.  
Key factors in the success were:

• The design quality of new buildings under guidance of architects Van Heyningen and Haward, so as not to detract and in part improve the setting of the Listed Building and SAM;
• An Activities Management Plan LP negotiated within S106 Agreement, to control the hours and levels of activity so as to avoid environmental impacts on the surroundings;
• A strong planning case showing the overall benefits of the development to the Barnet community far exceed the limited local disadvantages
• A generous contribution towards improvement of roads and pedestrians safety.