Todd NesnickLying behind every successful property development, whether it is new house, office development, or mixed-use development, is a well-defined and well-considered planning strategy. How to navigate the maze of planning permission, local development plan, and need for regulators is not always straightforward. Planning consultants occupy this middle ground. The planning consultant is the intermediary developer, local council, and planning system that oiling the wheels iron out troubles from inception through to delivery whenever and wherever it is possible to do so.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to extend your property or a developer managing a multi-million-pound project, working with an experienced planning consultant can save time, money, and stress.
What Does a Planning Consultant Do?
Planning consultants have high qualification in urban and regional planning and have good knowledge of UK planning law, development policy, and the local authority role. They represent the firm or client and advise, submit, and implement the planning process.
Key responsibilities are:
- Quoting advice on project feasibility
- Implementation of the local and national planning policy and the local development plan
- Preparation and submission of planning applications
- Client representation at public hearings and appeals against schemes
- Completion of site appraisals and impact studies
- Notification of the local planning authorities
- Arranging community consultation exercises
- Assistance with design and access statement preparation
Why engage a Planning Consultant?
The UK planning system is daunting to most. It is geographically disjoined, ever-changing, and even a small error can lead to postponement or rejection. A planning consultant brings order and direction so you’re in the right direction.
Advantages of a meeting with a planning consultant:
Expertise in Knowledge:
They are professionally trained in planning policy and understand how to implement it practically.
Increased Approval Rates
Applications professionally prepared are more likely to be successful.
Time-Saving:
Correspondence, amendment, and paperwork are managed by Consultant, saving time.
Risk Minimization:
Avoidance of usual mistakes that will cause delay, penalty, or refusal.
Strategic Advice:
Alterations in scope or design are usually advised by consultants in order to enhance an application.
Who Would Benefit from a Planning Consultant?
Although large developers make use of planning consultants, it is routine procedure, but small business ventures and private property owners can benefit from their services too.
Typical clients include:
- Private house owners constructing extensions, loft conversions, or annexes
- House builders or commercial developers with applications at the planning stage
- Architects looking for planning services
- Farmers or rural landowners needing change of use
- Companies developing or converting retail, hotel, or industrial premises
- Local authorities commissioning professional services
When Do You Hire a Consultant?
Having a planning consultant come on board early can be the difference between your scheme and a scheme that fails. Getting them in at concept or pre-application stage means that the development will be compliant with local policy right from the beginning.
Scenario in which a consultant can be invaluable:
- Where there are planning issues like green belt or listed building status on a site
- Where the development is change of use or an awkward application
- Where a previous application has been refused
- If you’re unfamiliar with local planning authority procedures
- During planning appeals or enforcement actions
Planning Application Support
One of the most valuable planning consultant services is managing the process of planning applications. From designing proposals to technical report preparation, they ensure your submission is in accordance with all norms.
Services typically included in planning application support:
- Site surveys and context analysis
- Architect and engineer coordination
- Preparation of planning statement and impact assessments
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Submission of applications and monitoring progress
- Response to objection or comment
Planning Appeals and Disputes
Don’t get discouraged if your application is refused. A representation on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate can be lodged, with a consultant to present the case and put forward a robust case on your behalf.
Appeal services could comprise:
- Research into reasons for refusal
- Drafting of appeal reports
- Guidance on the necessity of representation by law in some cases
- Attendance at hearings or hearings
- Negotiation with councils to obtain restated proposals
On nearly all but the most desperate of occasions, however, consultants are in a position to identify causes which were underrated on your original application and make recommendations which would render rejection an acceptable resubmission.
The Contribution to Sustainable and Strategic Development
Planning consultants increasingly align developments, transport policy, and local expectation-of-impact in a progressively greener-aware and overregulated environment, and ensure them to be sustainable too.
Their more general practice will typically cover:
- Assessing environment and ecological footprint
- Future energy efficiency and green infrastructure
- Creating transport and access strategy and converting it into full concept
- Enabling social and community-led developments
They are not tick-box experts but vision thinkers, helping to deliver developments that are part of overall vision for an area.
How to Choose the Best Planning Consultant
Not all planning consultants are created equal in terms of ability or service. The one that is the right fit will be the difference between timely triumph and rejection despair.
The below should be considered when selecting a consultant:
- Past experience on a project of similar nature (residential, commercial, rural, etc.)
- Awareness of your local council and policy
- Successful rate of comparable applications in the past
- Honesty and effective communication
- Chartered membership with bodies such as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
Ask for references, case studies, and full list of services before making your choice.
Last Thoughts
Planning consultants Blackpool are the difference between making dreams of development a reality. Draw on their expertise, strategic know-how, and real-world experience to navigate the frequently apparently unovercomeable hurdles in the planning system. From building a simple extension to your house to battling a large-scale residential development, having a planning consultant handling your case keeps you on your toes and gives you the greatest chance of success.
By having someone onboard initially and working with them over the development process, not only are you building your potential for your project to get adopted, but you’re building spaces that are sustainable, functional, and responsive to the larger needs of your community.