Need a planning consultant in the East of England?

Planning Consultants East of Engalnd

This huge region includes a wide range of features that could influence planning decisions, from protected landscapes, estuaries and coastlines to National Parks.

If you have a development project that faces challenges in securing planning permission, you may be inclined to engage a planning consultant for professional advice. Often, the specialist skills of planning consultants enable complex property developments to proceed.

This article outlines the role of planning consultants and considers development policies in the East of England region. To provide inspiration, it then features some exciting schemes successfully taken through the planning process by five regional planning consultancies.

Why Use Planning Consultants?

Planning consultants can bring a range of planning services to a development project. Their knowledge of local and national planning policies and the regulatory process means that having planning consultants on board will streamline a project. Professional services offered by planning consultants include site assessments and feasibility studies, planning applications, public consultation, negotiations with local planning authorities, building regulations requirements and planning appeals. A planning consultancy can also provide advice on renewable energy schemes.

Development in the East of England Region

Created in 1994, the East of England region includes Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. It covers the Thames Estuary and south east England to the south of The Wash; the most easterly part, East Anglia, includes Norfolk and Suffolk and part of Cambridgeshire. The region’s 50 local authorities are members of the East of England Local Government Association.

Priority is given to protecting the many important landscapes in the region which include the Norfolk Broads National Park and Thetford Forest, while Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty include the Norfolk Coast and the Suffolk coast and heaths.

The East of England plans to deliver around 90,000 new homes by 2035, and The East of England Local Government Association’s 2024 development plan focuses on promoting sustainable growth while preserving this south east region’s natural beauty. Key aims include providing affordable housing, improving transport and infrastructure, and boosting the local economy, particularly in the technology, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.

The East of England’s popularity with tourists and commuters has increased pressure on its countryside and Green Belt land, especially in areas like Norfolk and Suffolk. To counter these issues, the councils are prioritising brownfield site redevelopment and encouraging eco-friendly construction practices. Housing and commercial projects are planned for Cambridge and Chelmsford to meet demand from growing populations. Two major development schemes are the Cambridge Biomedical Campus Expansion, and the North Essex Garden Communities project, which will create sustainable new homes.

Five Established Planning Consultancy Firms in the Region

Planning Direct

This boutique planning consultancy has 11 years of experience and comprises a team of planning consultants, architectural technicians, and landscape designers across offices in Ipswich, Norwich and London. It caters to business and domestic clients, offering a range of planning services including preparation and submission of planning applications, planning appeals, project assessments, heritage impact assessments, building regulations, flood risk assessments, and case management.

Planning Direct achieved planning permission on appeal for this new house in a London borough Conservation Area. Clients bought a plot of land in a public park and conservation area, where a dilapidated former park ranger bungalow stood. The council resisted proposals to extend the bungalow which was agreed to have no architectural merit, citing heritage and public amenity concerns. Planning Direct appraised the site and recommended demolition and a replacement dwelling. A planning application for a contemporary style, two-storey, four-bedroom house was refused on grounds of vehicle access and impact on ecology. A second application with a tweaked design was also refused. Planning Direct prepared an appeal which was allowed following the finding that the house was well designed and would conserve the character and special interest of the Conservation Area.

Durrants

Offering planning advice on a range of planning matters, these planning consultants have a track record of success in achieving planning permission for residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial development projects across Norfolk and Suffolk. Durrants has extensive contacts with planning and conservation officers across the two counties and regularly secures greenfield site allocations in Local Plans.

This steel-framed barn was converted into a contemporary house providing open-plan living, two ground-floor bedrooms, and a master bedroom on a first-floor mezzanine. The walls were timber-clad, and full-height glazing and bi-fold doors were installed.

Portland Planning

Established in 2000, this Royal Town Planning Institute accredited consultancy offers a full range of planning services including pre-application advice, listed building consent, home extensions, objections to planning applications and land promotion. Portland Planning clients include developers, landowners, householders, and councils, and the company covers the following sectors: residential, commercial, agricultural, tourism, agriculture, education and renewable energy.

With this project, the client wanted to start a riding school on adjacent land and Portland Planning obtained change of use consent and permission to build stables, a manege, and car parking area.

Evolution Town Planning

Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute, these specialist planning consultants can prepare planning applications and enforcement appeals, assess development potential, promote sites, handle public consultation, planning appeals and complete environmental statements.  

Evolution Planning obtained consent for two houses on an infill plot; the application for the first house was approved but the application for the second house went to appeal after the council raised concerns over the vehicular access and size. The planning consultancy explained the design to the planning inspector and made an assessment of local precedents for vehicle access.

Barker Parry

Working on projects of all scales in the public and private sectors, Barker Parry can provide development briefs, planning applications, planning appeals and enforcement notices. This firm can also offer expert witness, s106 negotiations, Environmental Impact Assessments and project coordination.

Barker Parry secured full planning permission for the change of use of an agricultural barn to a residential dwelling. The consent followed refusals due to restrictive conditions relating to bats, highway safety and impact on the open countryside. Following the granting of planning permission, the planning consultancy successfully applied for a revised scheme involving a large extension to the barn and a new agricultural building.

Need help with a planning application?

These schemes may have inspired you if you have a problematic development project in south east England or East Anglia and are considering seeking planning advice.

When selecting a firm of planning consultants or a chartered town planner, check that they have a good track record of success with projects like yours. They should also be experienced in dealing with a range of planning services and have a good relationship with the relevant local planning authority.