An ideal starting point for many sites is a planning appraisal. This usually involves undertaking a site visit, a review of relevant planning constraints and subsequent written advice. By undertaking an appraisal, we can identify planning potential at an early stage, and this can save our clients significant amounts of time and cost in the longer term.

We guarantee to provide timely, frank and realistic advice from the outset. Our professional approach and extensive knowledge mean we can accurately identify the planning potential of your site and we will not accept subsequent instructions where we do not believe we can add value.

Dependent on the nature of your site and proposal it may be appropriate to engage with your local planning department prior to submitting a formal planning application. We always aim to work with planning officers in a collaborative and professional manner, and early engagement is one way to achieve a successful outcome at a later date.

We can prepare, submit and manage pre-application enquiries on behalf of our clients to ensure their schemes are appropriately presented.

We prepare, submit, and manage planning applications for a broad range of clients. We have over 30 years of experience dealing with the full spectrum of planning applications and take a bespoke approach to each site.

We have an outstanding track record of success and client satisfaction. Every site is different, and it is our job to maximise our clients’ chances of success by submitting applications which are considered, thorough and based on solid policy grounds.

We can prepare the full range of planning reports that can be necessary dependent on the application type. These include Planning Statements, Design and Access Statements, Heritage Statements, Appeal Statements, supporting letters, letters of objection, and Sequential Tests.

This list is not exhaustive. Please let us know if you have a specific requirement.

Some applications end up being determined at a meeting of planning committee members. This is a formal setting that can be daunting for clients. We often speak on behalf of our clients at these meetings to ensure their interests are represented in a professional manner.

It is inevitable that some applications are initially refused. Applicants then have the right to appeal such decisions to the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectorate take an independent view on a development proposal and reach a final decision.

We have an excellent track record of overturning initial refusals and securing permission for our clients. If a planning authority has behaved unreasonably then we may also seek an award of costs against them.

We will not submit an appeal unless we believe there is a good chance of success. Prior to accepting any instructions to pursue a matter to appeal we will provide you with clear advice on the risks involved so that you can make an informed decision.

Every local authority is responsible for preparing and updating their statutory development plan. There are often opportunities for land to become allocated for specific uses in these plans, such as housing or industrial.

We will carry out an initial review and advise if there is a realistic chance of securing an allocation. If there is, then we can act on behalf of our clients to maximise their chances of success.

You may have become aware of a planning application which will impact upon you or your property. Whether you support or object to an application, we can prepare a professional letter of representation which will set out your concerns relative to material planning considerations.

If you have undertaken development without having first obtained the necessary planning consents, you may face the threat of formal enforcement action. In such circumstances there are often multiple scenarios that could play out and you should contact us as early as possible so that we can discuss the best approach to take.

Certificates of lawfulness are a formal means of confirming that a certain form of development does not need planning permission. Alternatively, they can be used to demonstrate that existing buildings or uses are immune from enforcement action given the length of time they have been in place.

We have an excellent track record of securing certificates for our clients so please get in touch if this is something that may appeal to you.