Planning consultancy

Navigating the planning process presents complex challenges. With deep expertise, founded on almost fifty years of experience, we support our clients throughout the entire planning life-cycle: smoothly, efficiently and with confidence.

Delivering successful projects

Our experience in interpreting local and national planning policies has earned us a reputation for providing pragmatic advice to our clients, whether a developer or end user.

From iconic landmarks and nationally significant infrastructure projects to residential developments of all scales, we advise on preparation, submission and negotiation of planning consents across all sectors.

We understand every project has unique complexities and our approach to each is bespoke, ensuring best-value results that maximise development potential. Balancing commercial requirements with local context, our strategic advice supports smarter, sustainable development.

What we do

Planning and development advice to deliver planning permission
Strategic site promotion through the development plan making process
Masterplanning and urban design
Project management of the planning application process
Preparation, negotiation and management of planning applications
Expert witness at planning inquiries and development plan examinations

Heritage Impact Assessments
Environmental Impact Assessments, screening and scoping
Preparation, negotiation and submission of applications for major infrastructure projects requiring Development Consent Orders
Compulsory purchase and viability assessments
Retail impact and housing need assessments

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Planning in the UK and Ireland

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Webinar - The need to be neutral

Whilst the legislative forecast is unclear around nutrient neutrality the prevailing approach being adopted by councils is that, to build new homes, you need to prove that they are nutrient/water neutral; in other words, there needs to be zero impact on any designated sites within your development’s catchment - it needs to be neutral!

As part of our Leading Minds event series, we're delivering a one hour webinar led by Ola Holmstrom, Director of Hydrology to look at the challenges around nutrient neutrality and the potential solutions to help landowners and developers in the pursuit of planning approvals.

Date: Tuesday 14th March

Time: 11am - 12pm

Virtual public consultation

Providing a more resilient approach to community and stakeholder engagement, a virtual consultation can help you remove barriers, progress approvals and connect with your audience virtually.

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Leading minds

Insights

Planning for the future - Standard Method Mk2 – Has the Government finally cracked it?
- Cameron Austin-Fell
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- UK
As part of the review of the Government’s standard method we have been presented with a new formula which, on the face of things, looks to be a vast improvement on its older brother from the 2018 Framework. England now actually has a national housing target which could deliver on the aims of 300,000 homes a year – however the success will be very much determined by how issues such as cross-boundary need and the Green Belt are dealt with. The method isn’t without its flaws and, as explored by Cameron Austin-Fell below, there are some refinements which would greatly benefit a fair and balanced plan for growth.

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Amendments to the 'Use Classes Order' explained
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- UK
On the 1^st September 2020 amendments to the planning Use Classes Order came into effect throughout England. Jonathan Waugh, Associate Director in our London planning team, explains the changes, opportunities, restrictions and unintended consequences this may bring.

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Planning for the future - Achieving the vision
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- UK
Paul Willmott, Managing Director of our UK Planning business, takes a look at the vision set out in the recently published White Paper 'Planning for the Future', and what will need to be delivered to achieve it.

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