Consultancy

At the outset it is important to assess the likelihood of obtaining planning permission. In so doing assessment of risk can be evaluated and abortive costs avoided or minimised. This may involve providing an initial site assessment by:

• Undertaking a planning history search at the local authority.
  
• Examining planning policy contained in the relevant development plan (Local Plan or Local Development Framework).
  
• Speaking to Officers at the authority to ascertain their views ; and
  
• Preparing a report on the prospects of obtaining permission, identifying key issues fundamental to an application and identification of any technical work that may be required to support the planning application.
  

We also provide advice on the best route for realising development potential of a site, whether this is through the development plan route or the submission of a planning application.

Applications and appeals

We have extensive experience and expertise in the preparation and submission of planning applications. Our services include:

• Assembly, instruction and leadership of development teams, specialist advisors including architects, highways consultants, ecologists, engineers and arboriculturalists, in order to submit a comprehensive package.
  
• Co-ordinating public and community consultation.
  
• Negotiating with the local authorities, statutory authorities and others to secure consent.
  
• Liaising with lawyers to prepare legal agreements.
  

We aim were possible to avoid unnecessary and costly planning appeals through successfully negotiating planning permissions.

We also conduct appeals by written representation, informal hearings and public inquiry. We can:

• Co-ordinate a team of consultants.
  
• Appoint and instruct Counsel.
  
• Prepare evidence.
  
• Expert Witness evidence at public inquiry.

We also represent objectors at appeals. Often a 'consortium' of local residents can join together for professional advice to challenge a developer's case. We have successfully represented residents and groups of neighbours in written appeals and at public inquiries.

We also provide an appeals service to local authorities providing expert evidence and witnesses for inquiries, hearings and call-ins.

Planning Inquiries

The complex nature of many schemes, means that they can only be determined at public inquiries. We have acted for both private and public sector clients submitting evidence and appearing as expert witnesses at inquiries.

We offer a thorough and carefully prepared advice. As a consequence, we are often recommended by leading members of the Planning Bar.

We have extensive experience with working with legal representatives and have good relationships with leading legal firms and Barristers’ Chambers. Increasingly we are asked to instruct Barristers direct for legal advice, opinions and to appear at inquires.

Policy Advice

Development must take place in accordance with the development plan unless material circumstances indicate otherwise. Changes to primary legislation now requires authorities to produce Local Development Frameworks (LDF) to replace their Local and Unitary Development Plans.

We can advise clients on the implications of changes to planning policy at national, regional and local level by:

• Making the Council aware that your land is available and suitable for development.
  
• Research the impact and implications of changes to policy.
  
• Monitoring to ensure that land and development is promoted at the right time
  
• Representations where, for example, the Council has not allocated your land for development.

Planning advice on enforcement matters and Lawful Development Certificates

On occasion development takes place which does not have the benefit of planning permission, or there is considered to be some other breach of planning control.

At Gregory Gray Associates we would undertake the following courses of action on your behalf:

• Establish whether of not the Council are correct in their assessment - for example, is planning permission required?
  
• If planning permission is required, assess whether or not it is exempt from enforcement action. It may for example be lawful or permitted development.
  
• Submit appropriate applications where development may be lawful or where the Council has indicated that a compromise may be acceptable.
  
• Certificates of Lawfulness are complicated and the onus of proof falls on the applicant to substantiate their case. As such very clear and undisputed evidence is required. We can assist in the compilation of this and statutory declarations.
  
• Where there is no equitable solution it may be necessary to appeal to the First Secretary against an Enforcement Notice or Lawful Development Certificates. The aim of an appeal is to establish whether planning permission should be granted or whether the demands to cease a particular activity or building operation are unreasonable and should be corrected.
  

There are many aspects of planning law on which we can advise although our advice is not definitive. As Chartered Town Planners we have Direct Access to the Planning Bar and can, where necessary, instruct Barristers on behalf of Clients or to advise on the law. We have a good reputation with the Bar and are often recommended to developers by leading Planning Chambers.

Local authority consultancy

The practice has 8 years experience undertaking work on, and providing services to authorities in:

• processing planning applications.
  
• processing planning appeals including expert witnesses at planning inquiries, hearings and by written representations, using our extensive experience to help Councils improve and maintain their performance records.
  

Since December 1999 (and currently) the practice has been providing a service in the processing of an extensive range of applications for small, large, and strategic-scale developments, site visits, preparation of reports including relevant policy documents, negotiation of complex multi-site s106 agreements, consultations with applicants and third parties and correspondence as necessary and conducting appeals on behalf of the following Authorities:

• Hart District Council, Hampshire
  
• Luton Borough Council, Bedfordshire
  
• Waverley Borough Council, Surrey
  
• South Beds District Council, Bedfordshire
  
• Mid Beds District Council, Bedfordshire
  
• West Northampton Development Corporation (WNDC), Northamptonshire
  

In addition the practice provides a full planning service to Waverley Borough Council in connection with expert witnesses for planning inquiries, call-in inquiries, hearings, written representation appeals and handling major site applications. Our practice also attends and advises at the WNDC Planning Committee.