We help developers, businesses 
and private clients 
navigate the planning system



We advise on whether or not projects are likely to obtain planning permission.

We submit planning applications to local Councils and negotiate with them on our clients' behalf.

We submit appeals to The Planning Inspectorate. 

Services are tailored for each commission - small or large - depending on the client’s requirements, the location, the characteristics of the site, the nature of the development, the applicable planning policies and local politics.  A full list of our services is provided below.

Central to our work is planning risk management.  This means identifying planning risks, then mitigating them as cost-effectively as possible to maximise the chances of obtaining planning permission.   This starts with the overall planning strategy, but goes on to manifest itself through:
  • A detailed review of development plan policy and material considerations;
  • A co-ordinated design and consultant team working iteratively to produce a high quality and commercially acceptable design;
  • A suite of robust technical reports and drawings to understand the site's characteristics, inform the design and support the planning application; 
  • A communications strategy for engagement with the local planning authority, local politicians, neighbours and the general public; and
  • A proactive approach to engaging with local planning authority officers and consultees.  
     

Planning

  • Planning policy review and strategy advice
  • Pre-application meetings
  • Planning appraisals and statements
  • Design advice informed by planning and environmental risk assessment
  • Critical review of consultants’ scope, drawings and reports

Planning

  • Application forms
  • Liaison with local planning authority (planning agent) 
  • Planning committees
  • Section 106 agreement negotiation and CIL
  • Discharge of conditions and Section 106 obligations
  • Appeals
  • Expert Witness

Engagement

  • Stakeholder engagement strategy
  • Public consultations and exhibitions
  • Political lobbying
  • Statements of community involvement
  • Media relations

Project Management

  • Co-ordination of design and consultant teams to programme and budget

Environmental

  • Environmental impact assessment (EIA) 
  • Screening Opinions
  • Scoping Opinions
  • Environmental Statements
  • Sub-EIA environmental appraisals

Land Promotion

  • Planning appraisals to assess development potential
  • Local Plan representations
  • Neighbourhood Development Plan representations
  • SHLAA representations