Consultancy Advice

Thorough and efficient analysis is fundamental to assessing the likelihood of obtaining planning permission. In doing so, potential pitfalls can be evaluated and abortive costs avoided or minimised. This normally involves an initial site assessment by:

• Undertaking a planning history search,
  
• Examining planning policy in the Local Plan or Local Development Framework,
  
• Pre-application consultation with Officers to ascertain their views, community consultation where necessary and
  
• Preparing a report on the prospects of obtaining permission, identifying key issues and any technical work to support a planning application.
  

We help by providing advice on the best route for realising development, whether through the development plan, a planning application or both.

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, sustainability assessments, highways consultants, ecologists, drainage engineers, heritage consultants and arboriculturalists,
  
• Co-ordinating public and community consultation,
  
• Negotiating with the local authorities, statutory authorities etc.,
  
• Coordinating advice to prepare legal agreements.
  

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

When required we conduct appeals by written representations, hearings and by public inquiry.

We also represent objectors at appeal. Sometimes a local group or residents join together for professional advice or support. We have successfully represented residents and neighbourhood groups in written appeals and at public inquiries.

We also provide an appeals service to Local Authorities. See below for details.

Planning Inquiries

The complex nature of some schemes means that they can only be determined at public inquiries. We act for private and public sector clients, preparing evidence, coordinating expert evidence and appearing as expert planning witnesses.

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

We have extensive experience with working with Legal Practices and Chambers. We provide Direct Instruction 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. Legislation requires Authorities to produce Local Development Frameworks (LDF) to replace their Local and Unitary Development Plans and make their planning decisions accordingly.

Government Policy, especially the Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Housing Strategy and the Localism Act, 2011 are important material planning considerations and it is firm Government policy to support sustainable development.

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

• Promotion - to make the Council aware that your land is available and suitable for development.
  
• Research - to assess the impact and implications of changes to policy.
  
• Monitoring - to ensure that land and development is promoted at the right time.
  
• Representations - to enable development to come forward.

Enforcement and Lawful Development

Where development takes place without planning permission there may be an allegation of a breach of planning control.

We can undertake the following:

• Establish whether the allegation is correct.
  
• Assess whether it is exempt or immune from enforcement action.
  
• Negotiate and submit an application where a compromise may be acceptable.
  
• Certificates of Lawfulness are complicated and the onus of proof falls on the applicant to substantiate their case. We can assist in the compilation of statutory declarations.
  
• Appeals against Enforcement Notices or refusal of Lawful Development Certificates.

  There are many aspects on which we can advise. We have Direct Access to the Planning Bar and can instruct Barristers to advise on the Law. We have a good reputation with the Bar and are often recommended by Leading Planning Chambers.

Local Authority Consultancy

We have 15 years experience in helping Councils improve and maintain their performance records:

• processing all types of applications and presentations at Planning Committee.
  
• conducting planning appeals, providing expert witnesses at inquiries, call-ins, hearings and written representations.
  

A particular service the practice provides is in the processing applications for large and strategic-scale developments, including site visits, consultations with applicants and third parties, preparation of reports, negotiation of complex and multi-site legal agreements.

Client Authorities include:

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