Planning & development services

Advice across the development lifecycle

We provide planning and development support from the earliest consideration of a site through to consent, implementation and delivery. Our services can be commissioned individually or combined into an integrated project scope.

Part 01

Site identification, appraisal and acquisition

Pre-acquisition planning appraisals

Before acquiring land or property, it is important to understand the planning position, development potential and principal risks.

Our appraisals can examine

Planning policy and designations
Planning history
Existing permissions
Authorised uses
Conditions and obligations
Access and infrastructure
Heritage and environmental constraints
Adjoining development
Potential development scenarios
Likely application requirements
Recommended next steps

We clearly distinguish between established facts, professional assumptions, conditional advice and matters requiring specialist investigation.

Site sourcing and opportunity searches

We help clients identify land and property opportunities that meet defined planning, development and investment criteria.

Our work can include

Strategic land searches
Residential site searches
Commercial and employment land searches
Regeneration opportunity searches
Renewable-energy site searches
Rooftop opportunity reviews
Portfolio expansion searches
Alternative-use searches
Comparative site ranking

Planning judgement can be combined with GIS, ownership information, planning history and environmental data to create a focused and transparent search methodology.

Feasibility and development-potential studies

We assess whether a site is suitable for the type and scale of development being considered.

Our work may consider

Land-use principles
Density and scale
Access and movement
Surrounding character
Infrastructure
Environmental constraints
Likely technical requirements
Potential planning obligations
Design and consultation requirements
Alternative development scenarios

Planning due diligence

We undertake planning due diligence for acquisitions, disposals, investment decisions and portfolio reviews.

Our reports can assess

Current planning status
Implementation and expiry
Compliance with conditions
Lawful use
Planning obligations
Enforcement history
Emerging policy
Nearby development activity
Redevelopment or intensification potential

Part 02

Planning strategy and pre-application advice

Planning strategy

We develop clear planning strategies that respond to both policy requirements and client objectives.

A strategy may address

The principle of development
Policy positioning
Application type
Pre-application engagement
Design development
Supporting technical studies
Consultation
Planning obligations
Programme and sequencing
Determination risks
Implementation considerations

Pre-application engagement

We prepare and manage pre-application discussions with planning authorities, statutory consultees and other relevant bodies.

Our services include

Preparing pre-application submissions
Identifying key planning questions
Coordinating plans and supporting material
Arranging and attending meetings
Planning Performance Agreements
Design review preparation
Reviewing formal advice
Advising on amendments
Preparing a route map for the application stage

Stakeholder and elected-member engagement

Some proposals benefit from structured engagement beyond the formal officer process.

We can support

Stakeholder mapping
Elected-member briefings
Community-group engagement
Statutory-consultee meetings
Business and resident engagement
Briefing documents
Project presentations
Ongoing communications strategy

All engagement is undertaken transparently and with regard to the formal planning process.

Part 03

Planning applications and supporting documents

Planning applications

We prepare, coordinate and manage planning applications across a range of sectors and scales.

Our role can include

Defining the application strategy
Confirming submission requirements
Coordinating the consultant team
Preparing planning documents
Reviewing technical evidence
Managing submission and validation
Liaising with officers and consultees
Responding to information requests
Negotiating amendments
Monitoring determination
Reviewing conditions and obligations

We can act as lead planning consultant or provide a defined specialist role within an existing team.

Planning statements

We prepare clear, persuasive and proportionate planning statements.

A planning statement can

Describe the site and proposal
Summarise planning history
Identify relevant policy
Assess compliance with the development plan
Address material considerations
Explain the planning balance
Present the case for approval

Design and Access Statements

We prepare and coordinate Design and Access Statements in collaboration with the project architect and wider design team.

Statements can address

Site and context
Design evolution
Land use
Layout
Scale
Appearance
Landscaping
Movement
Inclusive access
Relevant design policy
Consultation undertaken

Major and complex applications

For major or complex proposals, we can provide planning leadership across multiple workstreams.

This may include

Application strategy
Project programme
Pre-application engagement
Consultant coordination
EIA screening and scoping
Consultation
Policy assessment
Committee preparation
Condition negotiation
Post-consent strategy

Masterplanning and development frameworks

We provide planning input and leadership for masterplans, development frameworks and strategic sites.

Working with architects, urban designers and technical specialists, we can assist with

Defining the development brief
Identifying constraints and opportunities
Testing development scenarios
Advising on land use, density and phasing
Coordinating baseline studies
Integrating consultation feedback
Supporting design review
Preparing planning justification
Establishing the route to delivery

Planning committee support

We help clients prepare for committee consideration.

Support includes

Review of the officer report
Identification of unresolved issues
Preparation of briefing notes
Development of key messages
Speaking notes
Likely-question preparation
Stakeholder briefings
Attendance where appropriate

Part 04

Policy, plans and strategic land

Local development plan consultations

We monitor and respond to emerging local and regional planning policy.

Our work can include

Review of draft plans
Assessment of proposed designations
Implications for client land and property
Consultation responses
Policy commentary
Strategic recommendations
Monitoring of future plan stages

Development plan representations

We prepare evidence-led representations addressing matters such as those below.

Representations can cover

Land allocations
Settlement boundaries
Housing supply
Employment land
Town-centre policy
Infrastructure
Environmental designations
Renewable energy
Deliverability
Policy wording
Plan soundness

Call-for-sites submissions

We assist clients in responding to call-for-sites exercises and strategic land reviews.

Our support can include

Initial site review
Submission preparation
Policy analysis
Site-capacity evidence
Constraint mapping
Accessibility analysis
Ownership and availability evidence
Deliverability assessment
Ongoing site-promotion strategy

Strategic land promotion

We help landowners position sites through the development plan and planning process.

This may include

Promotion strategy
Planning and policy analysis
Representations
Consultation
Technical coordination
Geospatial evidence
Stakeholder engagement
Preparation for hearings or examinations

Policy papers

We prepare policy papers and evidence reports for clients seeking to understand or influence planning and development issues.

Potential subjects include

Housing delivery
Commercial and employment land
Regeneration
Infrastructure
Renewable energy
Digital planning
Public participation
Planning reform
Property portfolios
Development trends

Part 05

Appeals, enforcement and lawful development

Planning appeals

Where permission has been refused, we provide an objective review of the options.

Our appeal work can include

Review of reasons for refusal
Assessment of officer and consultee responses
Advice on resubmission versus appeal
Preparation of appeal statements
Coordination of specialist evidence
Written representations
Hearing and inquiry support
Rebuttal evidence
Professional planning evidence where appropriate

Enforcement and compliance

We advise on alleged breaches and the route back to a compliant position.

Advice covers

Alleged planning breaches
Enforcement correspondence
Planning contravention notices
Retrospective applications
Corrective action
Enforcement appeals
Compliance strategy
Negotiation with the relevant authority

Certificates of lawfulness

We prepare applications seeking confirmation that an existing or proposed use or development is lawful.

This can include

Review of planning history
Assessment of the relevant legal test
Evidence gathering
Supporting statements
Plans
Affidavits where required
Liaison with the planning authority

Part 06

Conditions and post-consent support

Planning conditions

We advise on the wording, timing and practical implications of planning conditions.

Our services include

Review of draft conditions
Negotiation of wording
Identification of pre-commencement requirements
Discharge strategies
Condition trackers
Coordination of supporting evidence
Discharge applications
Phased discharge
Compliance monitoring
Non-material amendments
Applications to vary conditions

Conditional advice

Some planning conclusions depend on further evidence, specialist assessment, authority agreement or future policy interpretation.

Where advice is conditional, we identify

The assumption being made
The information still required
The level of risk
The potential effect on the strategy
The action required
The point at which the advice should be reviewed

This allows clients to make informed decisions while recognising uncertainty.

Part 07

Consultation and strategic communications

Public and community consultation

We design and deliver consultation through traditional, digital and hybrid methods.

Our services include

Consultation strategy
Pre-application consultation
Public exhibitions
Community workshops
Resident and business engagement
Online consultation
Interactive mapping
Webinars
Surveys
Feedback analysis
Consultation reporting
Statements of Community Involvement

Strategic communications

We help clients communicate complex proposals clearly.

Our support can include

Communications strategies
Project narratives
Key messages
Stakeholder analysis
Public-facing summaries
Briefing notes
Frequently asked questions
Consultation materials
Online content
Responses to concerns
Communications support through determination

Part 08

Development and delivery support

Access to multidisciplinary specialists

Our core team is supported by a network of trusted associates and delivery partners.

Depending on the project, we can help clients access expertise in

Architecture and urban design
Transport and highways
Landscape and visual impact
Ecology and biodiversity
Flood risk and drainage
Heritage and archaeology
Noise and air quality
Daylight and sunlight
Wind and microclimate
Energy and sustainability
Viability and economics
Engineering
Project management
Environmental Impact Assessment

We can help define scopes, coordinate inputs and ensure that technical work supports the planning strategy.

Builder and contractor introductions

Where appropriate, we can introduce clients to builders, contractors and specialist delivery teams.

This may be relevant to

Smaller developments
Refurbishment
Conversion
Extensions
Commercial works
Rural projects
Renewable-energy installations
Projects requiring early buildability input

Clients remain responsible for procurement, contractual appointments and appropriate technical and financial due diligence.

Renewable-energy consultancy

We support renewable-energy projects from early feasibility through planning and onward coordination with delivery specialists.

Our work can include

Site and estate screening
Planning feasibility
Policy review
Constraint mapping
Solar potential analysis
Wind and battery-storage planning
Pre-application engagement
Planning applications
Public consultation
Specialist coordination
Condition discharge
Introductions to design and installation partners

Scoping a commission

Not sure which of these you need?

Most projects start with a conversation about the decision you are trying to make. We will tell you the smallest piece of work that answers it.

Discuss your project