Need a planning consultant in Cumbria?

Planning Consultant Cumbria

With its spectacular landscapes and thriving tourist industry, Cumbria faces specific challenges when it comes to planning and development.

Cumbria County Council aims to promote a robust economy with provision for future needs while protecting the natural landscapes that make the area so appealing to tourists.

In this article, we take a look at Cumbria’s development management strategy, before outlining the particular skills that a planning consultant can bring to sensitive projects.

We then highlight some beautifully designed schemes that have been steered through the planning process by planning consultancy firms in Cumbria.

Planning and Development in Cumbria

Cumbria County Council’s 2024 development plan promotes sustainable growth while safeguarding the county’s stunning landscapes. The council’s main objectives are to provide more affordable housing, support local economic development, and improve infrastructure. A key priority is ensuring that development is environmentally friendly, given the county’s vast rural areas and the Lake District National Park.

Development Management

One of the main challenges is balancing the need for new homes and infrastructure with the protection of Cumbria’s natural beauty, especially as tourism continues to grow. Managing traffic and the environmental impact of new projects in these areas is a delicate task. Cumbria plans to build around 10,000 new homes by 2035, with a strong focus on green infrastructure to protect the county’s landscapes while meeting housing needs and supporting tourism growth.

Housebuilding schemes are earmarked for Carlisle and Penrith to support population growth and will offer a blend of residential and business opportunities, promoting local sustainability. Other major projects include the Carlisle Southern Link Road, which will improve connectivity and support new homes, and the West Cumbria Mining Project, focusing on economic development in the region.

Why use a town planning consultant?

Their experience of planning regulations can be invaluable when dealing with planning applications that face specific issues with local planning authorities. Planning consultants’ knowledge of how local authorities view development and the entire planning process can save you time and money.

What does a planning consultant do?

They can advise on planning and development matters and have expert knowledge of national and local planning policy and legal requirements.

Planning consultancies can provide a range of planning services including:

• Project assessment.
• Feasibility studies.
• Co ordination of planning applications.
• Negotiation with local planning authorities and planning officers.
• Liaison with parish councils.
• Conservation and listed buildings advice.
• Environmental reports.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Planning appeals.
• Public inquiries.

Planning Consultancies in Cumbria

To inspire you, we’ve chosen some amazing schemes by planning consultants in Cumbria; all have extensive experience in bringing great designs to life from their initial concept through to achieving planning permission. They can handle planning applications for the public and private sectors, from agricultural buildings to new homes

HG Associates

This team of planning consultants, architects, and quantity surveyors works throughout Cumbria, the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, and beyond. The planning team at HG Associates has over 30 years of experience in historical buildings, residential and commercial projects, renewable energy recreation, and agricultural buildings and can provide solutions to challenging and sensitive sites.

In a farmyard setting, the conversion of this traditional sandstone byre into a dwelling was approved under Prior Notification (Class Q) development rights. A timber-clad steel framed lean-to was added to the byre to complete the conversion.  

Hyde Harrington

Formed in 1994, Hyde Harrington chartered planners and chartered surveyors work on commercial property schemes, construction, and social housing. Based in Carlisle, the chartered planning department serves Cumbria and the north of England, providing an integrated planning service, covering residential commercial, employment, recreation, agricultural matters, and historic structures. The firm has now become part of the DM Hall Group of surveying firms.

Hyde Harrington provided project management and quantity surveying services for this restoration of a cob-walled and thatched property following fire damage.

Summit Town Planning

Providing town planning services in Carlisle, Cumbria, and southwest Scotland, Summit Town Planning is an independent consultancy based in Carlisle. These chartered town planning professionals are members of the Royal Town Planning Institute and have many years of experience in working with planning departments across Cumbria. They offer full planning services to private clients and the public sector.

Summit Town Planning submitted an application for the change of use of a Grade II* house to a guest house. While operating as a bed and breakfast, the property owners wanted to expand the business by increasing the number of bedrooms that could be let out.  The scheme involved altering the internal layout to provide for the owners’ accommodation. The application was supported by a heritage statement.  

SRE Associates

These Cumbria-based independent town planning experts provide urban and rural planning services for the private sector and commercial clients, working across Cumbria and beyond. Headed by Royal Town Planning Institute member Simon Blacker, SRE Associates can provide initial town planning advice, planning applications, strategic land promotion, planning appraisals, and planning appeals.

Are you Looking for Planning Advice?

These examples show how valuable a planning consultant can be in steering a scheme through the planning process and dealing with local authorities and planning officers. When identifying the right planning consultancy for you, speak to firms with many years of experience in similar projects to yours.

It’s advantageous if they provide a range of planning services; a broad knowledge of planning policy will enable them to bring in-depth vision to the planning process.

A firm with a good track record of achieving planning consent for challenging projects may make all the difference when it comes to bringing your project to reality. Hiring a consultant is not a guarantee of obtaining consent for a project, but you will receive expert planning advice to offer the best chance of success.