Are you maximising your chance of planning success?
Often when we receive an enquiry about an appeal against a refusal, the application has simply failed to address key planning policy requirements, such that an appeal will not deliver a successful outcome.
Applications are often submitted by architects. It can certainly be cheaper for the client than appointing a separate planning consultant but to achieve success, it’s vital for the key planning matters to be addressed from the outset.
Many architects can achieve this – but the best ones acknowledge when their client will benefit from specialist expertise.
In a recent case, we received an enquiry about redevelopment of a Green Belt site, from a modest existing use to a much larger scheme. The justification provided was that a similar scheme had been successful down the road.
Of course, the planners among us immediately spot the issue here – failure to appreciate the nuances of the NPPF exceptions tests!
Our client was faced with two failed planning applications and our Barker Parry consultant had to advise that the scheme would never get planning permission. The Local Planning Authority’s decision making had been sound.
In this case, we were able to provide a way forward, albeit starting from scratch and without the quantum of development envisaged.
How can Barker Parry help?
As a company we provide services from support for applications submitted by an architect team, to a full planning consultant led application strategy.
As a rule, town planners won’t offer to draw up your scheme – we aren’t architects (certainly in this office we don’t even have GCSE Art between us!).
Our job is to devise individual planning strategies to maximise potential for your site, ensure planning policies are addressed and work with any design team to optimise the development potential.
There’s no guarantee of obtaining planning permission first time, but the way an application is presented, plus ensuring a proposal addresses policy requirements, and delivering continuity across the submission, significantly increases the chance of success.
