Services

No two projects are the same and I offer a bespoke service according to your needs, to ensure your project has the best possible chance of success.

  • Speaking in front of council officers and elected councillors can be daunting.

    I can represent you at Planning Committee whether it is your own application that you wish to speak in support of or if you are concerned about a local development.

  • You may have some early ideas or a project in mind, but are not at the stage of committing to pre-application advice or a planning application.

    I can offer advice and guidance, or give a view whether planning permission is required. Please note that I cannot confirm formally that planning permission is not required and to do so you would need to submit a Lawful Development Certificate application to your Local Planning Authority. I can help with this.

  • Many planning applications need to be accompanied by specialist ecological reports. These can range from a simple bat and bird check if you are carrying out works to a roof, or a survey of your garden if you are planning to develop it.

    I have a strong interest in ecology and as well as attending numerous training courses, I hold a Natural England Class 2 bat license; this means I can lawfully carry out bat surveys (to disturb bats without a license is an offense under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).

    Should no signs of bats or birds be found, I can submit a short letter report confirming this and that they pose no constraint to your application.

    Should your proposal require the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, I have several ecological contacts that would be able to carry out this work for you.

  • Whether you are suddenly short-staffed, have a backlog needing clearing, one-off PPA funded applications needing a case officer or an appeal that your officers are not able to deal with, get in touch to find out how I can assist.

  • For one-off services, such as writing a letter to the local planning authority in response to comments about your planning application from consultees, your planning officer or objectors; general planning queries (such as “Can I add a conservatory to my house?”); tell you what is needed for your application based on a local planning authority’s individual requirements; or even to check your application contains everything needed before you submit it to the local planning authority yourself, I can help. I offer a fixed fee service for this depending on complexity.

Please contact me for advice
Colorful 3D model of a cityscape with buildings, green trees, and streets, viewed from above.

  • I offer a full service from pre-application, through to preparation and submission of your planning application.

    Pre-application: Submitting a pre-application enquiry can often be the best way to gauge a local planning authority’s (LPA) opinion on your project and its likely success. Most LPAs offer a pre-application service and I can assist you with a submission.

    Pre-application is becoming increasingly valuable with many LPAs no longer accepting amendments during the application process. Gaining their views at an early stage can hep to ensure you are more likely to gain permission.

    Planning application: I offer a hands-on approach where I manage the application and negotiate with the LPA through to its determination, or hands-off where I prepare all the necessary supporting documents for you to submit the application yourself.

    I can also produce one-off Planning Statements in support of your application on behalf of your architect.

    Post-decision: Once your application is approved, I can carry out follow up work through discharging any planning conditions or subsequent amendments you might require.

  • Whilst the aim is always to secure an approval, sometimes the decision will be a refusal. You also have a right to appeal against conditions imposed on an approval or a council’s failure to determine your application on time (non-determination).

    I can advise whether an appeal is the best option or if amendments can be made to secure approval through a resubmission of your application. I can also advise on proposals where I was not your planning agent.

    Appeals are dealt with independently by the Planning Inspectorate and take the form of:

    • Householder appeals (fast track process with no additional documents submitted)

    • Written representations (more simple cases; an exchange of written Statements of Case)

    • Informal hearings (round-table discussion led by the Planning Inspector where discussion can help clarify issues)

    • Public inquiries - a more formal process for more contentious or large proposals. Each side calls its own expert witnesses for cross examination by barristers.

    Deadlines to lodge an appeal:

    • Householder appeals - 12 weeks

    • Most other appeals - 6 months

    Who can appeal? Only an applicant can appeal, however, in a public inquiry, third parties are able to speak and can formally register as a “Rule 6” party to present witnesses for cross examination.

    New appeal procedure: As of April 2026, most written representation appeals will be dealt with based upon the information in-front of the LPA when they make their decision and no further evidence or Statements will be accepted by the Inspectorate.

    This aims to speed up the appeals process but prevents even the smallest of amendments or clarification documents from being submitted.

  • Before you commit to a land purchase or incur architect’s expenses to design your project, a site appraisal can be a valuable tool to explore any obstacles you might face and explore opportunities for development.

    There are 3 options for this:

    Desktop assessment: I will review the planning history of the site, assess its constraints and assess your proposal against the relevant local and national planning policy in place, in order to guide you towards the best option for success.

    Desktop assessment and site visit: Most appraisals can be carried out without a visit but there might be particular circumstances where it would be beneficial for me to visit.

    Site visit only: I will visit the site with you and give an informal opinion in writing; no desktop assessment will have been made.

    Should you subsequently instruct me to prepare and submit a planning application for your proposal within 6 months* of the site appraisal, fees already paid would be credited against my planning application fees.

    *Subject to there being no material changes on site, to your proposal or to planning policy.

  • You may have concerns about a local development proposal. Or alternatively, may wish to offer your support.

    I can assist you in putting the best case forward to ensure your concerns focus on planning policy and material planning considerations that the planning officer will be able to take into account.