Need a planning consultant in Devon?

Planning Consultant Devon

If you have a complex development project in Devon, a planning consultant may well offer the expertise you need to help you secure planning permission.

This article explains the role of a planning consultant and looks at when they can be pivotal in creating a successful project before showing some examples of imaginative schemes steered through the planning system by five planning consultancies in Devon.

Why Use Planning Consultants?

Planning consultants will have expert knowledge of the planning system, the local government stance, and national policies and procedures, making the process of applying for planning permission efficient. Planning consultants can identify development potential and provide detailed advice on the optimal route to securing planning permission: they will be aware of parish councils’ views on planning matters which can be vital in gathering approval for a project.

A planning consultant can save time and costs by providing honest advice and streamlining the planning application process to ensure the necessary documentation is in place. They can also act as advocates for a project, representing the developer in negotiations with planning officers.  

Planning services offered by planning consultants:

• Project assessment.
• Feasibility studies.
• Preparation and submission of a planning application.
• Liaison with local planning authorities and planning officers.
• Expertise with listed building projects.
• Environmental reports.
• Fulfilment of regulatory requirements.
• Planning appeals.
• Building regulations advice.

Devon and Development

Not surprisingly for such a beautiful county with heavy reliance on the tourism industry, planning applications in Devon are highly scrutinised. Devon County Council’s 2024 development plan aims to balance growth with sustainability to ensure a thriving county while protecting its landscapes. There are plans to build around 30,000 new homes between 2024 and 2035, reflecting the county’s commitment to meeting housing needs while creating sustainable communities.

The main goals include providing more affordable housing, supporting local economies, and enhancing infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Local planning authorities are also focused on promoting green energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Key areas earmarked for development include Exeter and the South Hams district. Exeter will see significant growth: new housing and commercial developments are planned to support its expanding population and economy. The South Hams district, known for its stunning countryside and coastline, will focus on sensitively managed development to meet housing needs while preserving its natural beauty. Two major development schemes in the pipeline for Devon include the Cranbrook expansion, which aims to create a new town with thousands of homes, schools, and community facilities near Exeter, and an extension of the Exeter Science Park to boost the region’s role as a research hub.

Schemes by Five Planning Consultancies in Devon

Aspire

This Crediton-based consultancy works in the public and private sectors, dealing with barn conversions, listed buildings, commercial, industrial and agricultural development. Services include preparation and submission of planning applications, planning policy advice, reviewing development sites, planning appeals, preparing planning applications and technical drawings.

Aspire Planning Solutions provided planning advice on this scheme for five detached houses in Crediton. The project focused on energy-efficiency and the scheme, designed in partnership with Squirrel Design Architects, involved built-in renewable energy sources.

Avalon Planning

Exeter-based planning, heritage, and archaeology experts Avalon Planning started in 2014. Their clients are domestic and commercial, with projects ranging from new builds to adaptations and investment schemes of all sizes.

Autarkic House is one of the UK’s most innovative homes and is Europe’s first off-grid, hydrogen-powered house. Following heritage objections to the site, which is in historic woodland in a grade II registered park and garden, Avalon was brought in. They engaged with Historic England and advocated the scheme’s educational sustainability benefits before securing planning permission. The architect was Studio Exe.

James Wells Planning

Independent planning consultant James Wells undertakes schemes for the private and public sector, including retail, leisure, residential, heritage, agricultural and listed building schemes. James Wells Planning is experienced in dealing with protected landscapes, carrying out land and property planning appraisals, planning appeals, planning applications, pre-planning advice, and community consultation.

James Wells was brought in to provide advice and help secure planning permission for this traditional stone barn and outbuildings.

XL Planning Ltd

This team of planning and architectural design experts based in mid-Devon offers a complete service. XL Planning Ltd carries out property and site appraisals, and creates architectural designs, and its work ranges from agricultural projects to industrial schemes, renewables, barn conversions, equestrian projects and house design. 

XL Planning secured planning consent via two householder planning applications for the client to extend a converted barn dwelling alongside a new garage block. The extension and garage block retained the attractive appearance of the barn in its rural setting.

Pichler Planning Consultancy

From major schemes to householder extensions, enforcement matters, and planning appeals, this firm’s planning services include development appraisals, preparation and submission of planning applications, appeals, and promotion of proposals through the development plan system. Clients include developers, landowners, private individuals and architects.

This project saw a static caravan on a rural site in West Devon replaced with a modern, energy-efficient home. Pichler Planning Consultancy Ltd encountered restrictive size limits and scrutiny of the national planning policy framework before creating a scheme that attracted local support which, combined with engagement with the local government planning department, secured consent.

Find a Suitable Planning Consultancy

If you require planning permission for a challenging development scheme, you might well benefit from the advice of a planning consultancy. It’s important to get in touch with a firm with several years experience in projects like yours, to help you through the planning journey.

While hiring planning consultants will not guarantee a successful planning application, it will ensure that you receive concise advice on all planning matters, giving your plans the best chance of achieving planning permission.