Planning consultancy

Our planning consultants deliver high-quality planning advice to help clients navigate the complexities of the planning system and unlock the full potential of their land and property assets. From initial planning appraisal and local plan promotion to securing successful planning permissions and fulfilling obligations, our proven record spans both public and private sectors.

Planning consultancy services

Planning appraisals

Our specialists conduct planning appraisals to assess a site’s development potential and the prospects of securing planning permission. The appraisal considers the site’s constraints and opportunities, its surrounding context, relevant planning policy, and planning history to provide an informed view on future development prospects.

Planning strategy

We collaborate with clients to develop a planning strategy that defines a clear path for development, aligned to their objectives. This includes the preferred planning approach, key risks and mitigations, stakeholder engagement, technical requirements, and expected timescales.

Planning applications and appeals

We help clients navigate the evolving planning process from scheme conception to completion. This includes the coordination, preparation, and project management of planning applications (outline and reserved matters) to local authorities, the ongoing negotiation of the application, attendance at planning committee meetings, and the discharge of conditions. It also includes submitting planning appeals, including written representations, and attending hearings and public inquiries.

Local Plan promotion

We identify and promote development sites on behalf of clients through the Local Plan process, preparing representations, engaging with local authorities, and attending Examination in Public hearings to support site allocation and future development opportunities.

Permitted Development and Certificates of Lawfulness

We advise clients on the use of Permitted Development Rights and Certificates of Lawfulness, in particular to support agricultural and rural diversification projects. This may include new agricultural buildings, access tracks, or changes of use from agricultural buildings to commercial or residential uses. The team can assess eligibility under planning legislation, prepare supporting evidence and manage applications to help secure development opportunities.

Stakeholder engagement

We manage stakeholder engagement and consultation throughout the planning process, liaising with parish councils, neighbourhood forums, statutory consultees, local authorities, and wider community stakeholders to gather feedback and negotiate to build support for an application.

Biodiversity net gain obligations

We provide clients with guidance and operational support to ensure their development projects comply with complex environmental mandates, including meeting their mandatory biodiversity net gain obligations. We provide environmental project management services that facilitate baseline assessments, calculate mitigation requirements using statutory metrics, design on or off-site offsetting strategies, prepare formal planning documents, and secure the long-term legal agreements necessary to validate planning applications. Through utilising our network of landowners and habitat banks, our buying mandate model provides developers with access to competitively priced offsite BNG units while ensuring transparency, due diligence, and long-term delivery confidence.

Development support

Our planning consultants work closely with our development specialists to provide high-level planning advice on sites which clients may be considering for disposal or acquisition. We also provide planning monitoring services to landowners who already have a contract with a promoter or housebuilder. This service ensures that the terms of the contract are being followed and provides clients with advice on whether the implemented strategy is appropriate and fair.

Shaping the communities of tomorrow

Our national planning team understands that unlocking planning opportunities is key to shaping future communities. They work with an unrelenting commitment to help developers and investors optimise projects, transforming planning strategies into viable developments that add significant value to their portfolios and the communities they serve.