Our Town Planning & Environmental Services

Planning Applications

We have considerable experience in the handling of all types of planning applications, including major development proposals, householder applications, CLEUD applications and enforcement cases. We guide our clients through every stage of the planning process from initial site meetings, pre-application advice/discussions, preparation and submission of planning applications and detailed negotiation with planning authorities and other statutory consultees.

Where appropriate, we also liaise with Council Members, key interest groups and the general public to ensure an application receives a smooth and efficient passage through the planning process.

Assessing Development Potential

A comprehensive appraisal of wider environmental matters, including, ground conditions, engineering, flood risk, transport planning and built capacity can be undertaken in coordination with local technical experts.

As part of this process, we assess the most appropriate mix and form of development, checking the feasibility of proposed uses against planning objectives and policy, as well as development constraints, to identify the development potential of a given site and the most appropriate way of releasing its value.

Early appraisal enables accurate critical path analysis and financial calculations, can help to maximise the develop-able potential of sites and ensures that our developers are fully informed for site negotiations and the future technical and planning most relevant to your area of development.

Planning Appeals and Legal Instruction

We will provide clear advice on the merits and chances of success of individual cases and the most appropriate way to pursue an appeal, whether by Written Representation, Hearing or Inquiry. The team have considerable experience in the appeal process and we provide suitable expert witnesses to ensure that the client’s case is presented in the most appropriate and convincing manner. We provide direct access to the Planning Bar and are able to advise and instruct Counsel where necessary.

Planning Evidence and Assessments

When new proposals potentially impact on the delivery of existing community services, we can provide the most up to date robust evidence to illustrate what the impacts will be.

On employment, retail or leisure development we can assess the needs and provision within local/ strategic markets and provide reliable information about the current situation. We have GIS software which we use to carry out sequential site assessments and tests for Flood Risk Assessments.

Site Promotion

We have extensive and comprehensive experience, and knowledge of the plan making process. We can assist clients with the promotion of sites through the plan making process. This process requires expert knowledge and experience of the political pressures, viability, strategic planning issues and the duty to co-operate, amongst others, to ensure that sites are promoted in the right manner and at the right time.

Our team of Planners has helped clients to secure site allocations for a variety of developments by making appropriate representations on local and neighbourhood plans and we ensure that representations made are supported by a proportionate level of supporting evidence.