Whether you are planning to extend your home, convert an existing property, develop a plot of land, build new homes, or change the use of a building, obtaining the right planning advice can help you understand what is possible and how to proceed.
Planning decisions are based on the individual circumstances of each proposal. The relevant Local Planning Authority will consider the development against national and local planning policies, the characteristics of the site, and other material planning considerations. As a result, a proposal that appears suitable at first may still face planning constraints that need to be addressed.
Town planning consultants provide professional advice on these matters. They can assess development proposals, research planning policies and planning history, identify potential constraints, and help establish an appropriate planning strategy.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can help homeowners, developers, landowners, and businesses understand the planning considerations affecting their projects. Whether you are at the early feasibility stage or ready to submit a planning application, our team can provide professional planning advice tailored to the circumstances of your property or site.
What Are Town Planning Consultants?
Town planning consultants are professionals who provide specialist advice on planning and development matters.
Their role is to help property owners, developers, landowners, and businesses understand how planning requirements may affect a proposed development and what steps may be needed to progress it.
Depending on the project, town planning consultants may assist with:
The exact role of a consultant will depend on the nature and complexity of the project.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can assess your individual requirements and advise on the level of planning support that may be appropriate. Some projects may only require an initial assessment, while others benefit from continued professional involvement throughout the planning process.
What Do Town Planning Consultants Do?
The work carried out by a planning consultant can begin well before a planning application is submitted.
An initial assessment may involve understanding your objectives, reviewing the property or site, and researching the relevant planning position.
The consultant may then consider whether the proposed development is consistent with applicable policies and whether there are potential planning constraints that could affect the proposal.
Where necessary, the consultant can advise on changes that may improve the planning prospects of the development or identify additional information that should be obtained.
For planning applications, their involvement may include preparing planning documentation, developing a planning strategy, coordinating supporting information, and assisting with communication with the Local Planning Authority.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can support clients at different stages of the planning process, whether you need advice on a proposed development, assistance with an application, or support in responding to planning matters raised by the council.
This means the service is not simply about submitting an application. It is about understanding the planning position and helping establish an appropriate route forward.
When Should You Appoint a Town Planning Consultant?
You do not necessarily need to wait until your architectural drawings are complete before speaking to a planning consultant.
In many cases, obtaining planning advice at an early stage can help you make better decisions about the project.
You may benefit from appointing town planning consultants if you are:
The earlier the planning considerations are understood, the more opportunity you may have to address potential issues through the design or development strategy.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can help you assess the planning position before you commit to the next stage of your project. This can be particularly useful where development potential is an important factor in your decision-making.
Get Planning Advice Before You Start Your Project
One of the most common mistakes property owners and developers can make is moving straight into detailed design without first understanding the planning position.
For example, you may have a clear idea of how you want to extend your home, but the proposed size, height, position, or relationship with neighbouring properties could create planning concerns.
Similarly, a developer may identify a plot that appears suitable for several houses but discover later that access, local policy, flood risk, ecology, design requirements, or other constraints affect its development potential.
Obtaining professional planning advice at an early stage can help establish what may be achievable before significant resources are committed to detailed drawings or construction.
Where planning permission is required, our Planning Permission service can provide professional support with preparing and progressing your planning application.
Town Planning Consultants for Residential Projects
Town planning consultants can provide valuable support for homeowners and developers undertaking residential projects.
Residential developments can range from smaller alterations to individual homes through to larger schemes involving multiple properties.
House Extensions
Rear, side and two-storey extensions can involve planning considerations relating to scale, design, position, overlooking, light, residential amenity and the character of the surrounding area.
Some extensions may qualify under permitted development rights, while others require planning permission.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can assess your proposed extension and advise on the relevant planning considerations and appropriate planning route.
Property Conversions
Converting an existing property into flats or other residential units can involve several planning considerations.
These may include the number and size of units, access, parking, refuse storage, external appearance, and the effect on neighbouring properties. Professional planning advice can help identify these matters before the application is prepared.
New-Build Homes
New residential development generally requires careful consideration of planning policy, site context, and development constraints.
For a new dwelling or multiple-home scheme, a planning consultant can assess the site’s planning history, relevant policies, surrounding development and potential constraints before advising on an appropriate development approach.
Town Planning Consultants for Development Land
If you own land or are considering purchasing a development site, professional planning advice can help you understand its potential.
The size of a site alone does not determine how much development can be achieved. Planning policy, access, surrounding development, and physical or environmental constraints can all influence what may be acceptable.
A planning consultant may review:
This information can help establish whether the proposed development appears realistic from a planning perspective.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can help landowners and developers assess planning considerations before committing to a particular development strategy. Understanding the planning position early can be particularly valuable where a site’s development potential is central to an investment decision.
Planning Consultants for Commercial Property
Town planning consultants can also provide support for commercial property and development projects.
This may include:
Planning considerations for commercial property can vary significantly depending on the existing and proposed uses. A change of use, for example, may require planning permission even where relatively little physical alteration is proposed.
If you are considering purchasing or leasing a commercial property because of its intended use, obtaining planning advice before making a commitment can help you understand whether the proposed use is likely to require permission and what other planning matters may need to be addressed.
How Town Planning Consultants Assess a Project
Every development is different, so a planning consultant will need to understand the specific circumstances of the property or site.
You may be asked to provide:
The information can then be considered alongside the planning position for the site.
Planning History
Previous applications can provide useful information about how the property or site has been considered. For example, a previous refusal may identify a particular planning concern, while previous approvals can provide useful context about development in the area.
However, a previous approval does not guarantee that a new proposal will receive permission. Each application is considered according to its own circumstances.
Planning Policy
Relevant national and local planning policies need to be considered when assessing a development.
A planning consultant can research the applicable policies and identify which aspects of the proposal may require particular attention.
Site Constraints
Physical and environmental characteristics can also affect development potential.
Depending on the location, this may include flood risk, highways, ecology, trees, heritage, conservation area status, or other considerations.
Development Feasibility
The information gathered can then be used to assess whether the proposed development appears feasible from a planning perspective.
This does not provide a guarantee of planning approval, but it can provide a more informed basis for deciding how to proceed.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can help bring these considerations together to provide a clearer understanding of your project’s planning position and the potential next steps.
Planning Applications and Council Requirements
When a proposal is ready to move forward, town planning consultants can assist with the planning application process.
A planning application may require more than drawings and an application form. Depending on the development, the council may require supporting documents, statements, or specialist reports.
A planning consultant can help identify what information is relevant to the proposal and coordinate with other professionals where necessary.
During the application process, the Local Planning Authority may request clarification, additional information, or amendments.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can help you understand these requests and advise on how planning matters should be addressed. This can provide useful support where council comments require changes to the proposal or additional information before a decision can be reached.
Why Use Town Planning Consultants?
Using a planning consultant can provide valuable support where planning requirements are uncertain or the proposed development involves several considerations.
Professional planning advice can help you:
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can provide planning support tailored to your project’s requirements, helping you understand the process and make informed decisions about the next stage.
How to Choose the Right Town Planning Consultant
Choosing the right planning consultant should involve more than simply comparing fees.
You should consider whether the consultant has experience with projects similar to yours and whether they understand the type of planning issues likely to affect your proposal.
Before appointing a consultant, it can be useful to establish:
It is also important to understand exactly what is included in the professional fee.
Planning consultancy services may cover advice, assessments, application preparation and planning support, while local authority application fees, architectural drawings and specialist reports may be separate depending on the project.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can discuss your requirements and clarify the type of planning support appropriate for your project before you proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do town planning consultants do?
Town planning consultants provide professional advice on planning and development matters. They can assist with development feasibility, planning policy, planning applications, changes of use, planning refusals, planning conditions, and other planning-related issues.
Do I need a town planning consultant?
Not every project requires professional planning advice. However, a consultant can be particularly useful where planning permission is required, the development is complex, there are site constraints, or the project represents a significant investment.
Can town planning consultants help with planning permission?
Yes. Depending on the service required, planning consultants can advise on the planning requirements, assist with the preparation of an application, and provide support during the council’s assessment.
Can town planning consultants assess development land?
Yes. A consultant can research planning history, local policies, site constraints, and surrounding development to help assess the potential of a development site.
Should I appoint a planning consultant before buying land?
If the development potential of the land is an important part of your decision to purchase, obtaining professional planning advice beforehand can help you understand potential opportunities and constraints.
Can town planning consultants help with a refused application?
Yes. A consultant can review the reasons for refusal and advise on potential options, which may include amendments, a revised application, a new application, or an appeal.
Can a planning consultant work with my architect?
Yes. Planning consultants and architects can work together during a development project. The architect can focus on the design and drawings while the planning consultant considers planning policy, requirements, and strategy.
Professional Town Planning Support for Your Development
Property development can involve a wide range of planning considerations, and understanding these requirements before progressing too far can help you make more informed decisions.
Town planning consultants can provide professional support from the early assessment of a proposal through to planning application preparation and communication with the Local Planning Authority. Their involvement can help identify potential constraints, assess development feasibility, and establish a suitable planning strategy for the project.
At Expert Planning Consultants, we can help homeowners, developers, landowners and businesses navigate planning requirements across a wide range of development projects. Whether you are considering an extension, conversion, new-build development, change of use, or development of land, professional planning advice can help you understand the appropriate next steps.
Contact us today to discuss your development and find out how our expert planning consultants can support your project.