Planning consultants offer a wide range of advice on all matters concerned with planning, development and environmental issues which surround a building project. They will deliver their expertise so as to make the planning as cost effective as possible, and to ensure that the planning and production of the project runs smoothly.
Planning consultants can range from being actively involved with all stages of the planning, or merely be an outside expert who helps guide decisions. Planning consultants are involved in a number of different types of projects, for example town centre improvements, business parks, airports or smaller building works for companies. In all of these projects the planning consultants operates as the following roles:.
A planning consultant can be as involved as you need them to be, but typically the main areas which they would look after are:. Membership of this institute is an internationally acknowledged symbol of expert aptitude and proficiency.
Make sure you investigate the level of experience that the planning consultant or firm has, and what their knowledge is of the local area. This is really dependent on the size of the project and how much you want the planning consultant to be involved in the process. A consultant can bring tremendous reassurance that there is someone on board with a breadth of experience and complete understanding of planning policies, particularly as at the moment there is so much policy change around.
Deidre Wells takes up the story. In some cases, for example, it may be necessary to get a certificate confirming that existing uses are lawful, before progressing to a new build or conversion.
This requires a lot of research, legal interpretation and guidance on obtaining Statutory Declarations, but can then ease the project through to success. Whether to take on board a planning consultant is a very nuanced argument, not least because in my opinion you can have too many experts at this stage for individual home projects. There is a large amount of research that you can carry out yourself in order to come to your own conclusions on the viability of a development.
All local authorities will have a Local Plan that is available for viewing on their website. This Local Plan will be the major material consideration against which your application is assessed. Read the individual policies that relate to your site e. Search the website for previous applications on that site in the past. Read the National Planning Policy Framework to see how your proposal relates.
However, the problem with all of this is that you can only get the full, latest picture from experts who have dealt with the implementation of these policies and plans on the ground in recent months — and in many cases know the planning officers on first name terms.
As suffering a refusal on a site can be hugely detrimental to its chances of gaining approval later on, it pays to engage with a consultant from the very start of the process. Not according to Deirdre. Back to top. Why hire a planning consultant? Legislation hurdles The planning and legal framework are two extensive subjects that are difficult for a layman to grasp. Related Posts. Leave a comment cancel reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Next they will plan your route while carefully observing local policy guidelines. They can also indicate the maximum planning potential for feasible development, should you wish to go beyond your original idea to add more value to your property.
Lastly; councils vary in terms of how much advice they give for free. Most of them are busy, as mentioned, and for written advice or a further meeting, they charge additional fees.
We have time and give advice; a mini-feasibility study for you; a free quote and invite you in for a presentation. For a full planning application, you will need architectural drawings. Most architects will do drawings only but not offer much planning much advice, submit your application or liaise with officers on your behalf during the process.
EA does not charge for submission and liaison, so why not less us do that for you to save you the hassle. Our team has specialist planning consultants working with our architects most outfits have one or the other.
Here is a synopsis of the basic planning route, to clarify what can be a vague and apprehensive subject for many app-licants:.
If they reject it, you will be invited to submit an alternative application. If they are busy, it can go to 12 weeks although they can be penalysed for this. If your permission was with conditions, you will need to discharge those and start the work within the time allowed.
0コメント