We can provide planning and development appraisals for landowners, developers and investors. At the Appraisal stage, we are able to indicate to our clients the potential for securing planning permission, through application or appeal. The appraisal will include site assessment and consideration of relevant planning policy.

We are happy to work with Architects and other related professionals and can provide supporting Planning Statements or Design & Access Statements to support a planning application, where another party is acting as the Client’s Agent.

We provide advice on permitted development rights including householder extensions, the provision of new buildings/dwellings and changes of use, without requiring planning permission and the preparation and submission of applications for prior approval

We can help you gain a clearer understanding of the permitted development rights that may apply, what is likely to be accepted under permitted development, or whether a prior approval certificate is required.

We can prepare, submit and manage all types of planning applications, from small householder developments to major residential, commercial or mixed-use schemes.

We can co-ordinate specialist input, where required and prepare supporting statements, liaising with the local planning authority and their consultees throughout the process.

Through our near 20 years of experience, we have amassed a wide network of other related professionals who can provide input on highways, sustainability, ecology, heritage and other matters when necessary.

We also undertake CIL/section 106 negotiation with the local planning authority.

Our preference is to work with the local planning authority and the client to secure planning consent. This is more so with the delays in appeal timetables at the moment, but there are occasions where disputes cannot be resolved and a planning appeal is required.

We will assess your likely chance of success on appeal and where necessary advising on other possibilities such as resubmission of an amended scheme.

We undertake planning appeals by written representation, hearing or inquiry methods; coordinating where necessary with other experts. We work closely with clients to ensure that they are able to fully participate in the process.

We prepare our appeals through detailed research and ensure that your case is presented clearly to achieve the strongest result.

We prepare and manage pre-application submissions, can facilitate stakeholder engagement and attend public exhibitions and meetings.

Where schemes are likely to generate a significant level of local interest, we encourage our clients to undertake public engagement. This can help inform the evolution of a scheme and enable a response to be made to any objections at the earliest opportunity.

For larger or more controversial developments we would typically advise a Client to work with a specialist PR consultant for the public consultation. However, for smaller schemes, we are able to assist in organising local exhibitions and other forms of public engagement on your behalf to engage successfully and effectively with stakeholders including, local politicians, neighbours and local interest groups.

We will work closely with you to support and advise you on a longer-term planning strategy, so you can shape your land portfolio accordingly. One option for seeking to maximise the value of your property is to ensure that you promote your land for allocation through the development plan process at the appropriate time.

We carefully monitor the emergence of local plans and supporting evidence documents. We engage in the promotion of development sites through submissions at all stages of consultation.

If you are planning a new development, you may be asked to pay a contribution towards funding and associated infrastructure, such as road improvements, education facilities or affordable housing.

Such contributions may be sought through a Section 106 Agreement whereby developers and local authorities negotiate and agree the required contribution.

Alternatively, many local planning authorities have introduced the Community Infrastructure Levy, (CIL). This sets a non-negotiable tariff for new developments which is put towards infrastructure. This is a tax and normally not avoidable.

We can assist in advising on both matters either before or during an application and can liaise with the Council.

A certificate of lawful use is not the same as planning permission. They involve consideration of matters of fact and law and typically, planning policy is not a consideration in their determination.

They are invaluable tools in assisting in the sale or extension to a property, where a change of use or previous works have been carried out for more than a specific time period (4 or 10 years) without planning permission.

We always advise our clients to obtain a Certificate of Lawfulness where they wish to carry out a building project relying on Permitted Development Rights as it can save a lot of time when it comes to selling a property.

We have extensive experience of advising on the lawfulness of existing or proposed forms of development.

We can advise on the appropriate strategy for dealing with these matters and the information and evidence required to support the submission.

We can assist in the sensitive area of Planning Enforcement help clients resolve ongoing disputes with local planning authorities. This is often done through negotiation and the subsequent submission of a retrospective planning application, or Enforcement Appeals where necessary.

We understand that planning is not just about the promotion of planning applications and delivering development. Sometimes neighbours have concerns over a proposal that has been submitted in their neighbourhood and wish to raise an objection to an application. We can assist with this and can review a proposal and prepare a letter of objection, concentrating on the planning matters at hand. We have worked with residents, companies and parish councils in assisting in objecting to applications and developments on their behalf.