Need a planning consultant in Hampshire?

Planning Consultant Hampshire

Hampshire, in the south east of England, is a county blessed with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, thriving cities and a buoyant economy. It boasts the South Downs National Park and the New Forest National Park, along with miles of coastline, quaint villages and historic cities. Alongside this, Hampshire has new towns such as Basingstoke, and garden villages such as Welborne, and development of all kinds is happening in the county.

While Hampshire County Council has a robust planning policy aimed at encouraging development, any challenging planning application will always face significant hurdles and could benefit from strategic advice. This article examines how planning consultants can help a problematic development scheme obtain planning permission. It also investigates the places earmarked for development in the county, before highlighting five development projects overseen by planning consultants in Hampshire.

Why Use a Planning Consultant?

Planning consultants can offer a range of specialist skills when it comes to a complex planning application. They can provide clear town planning advice if you are considering a scheme with planning issues to be resolved before it can progress through the planning application process.

Their knowledge of local and national planning policy and extensive experience working with local authorities will give them strategic insights into how best to guide your scheme through the planning process.

Clear Town Planning Advice

A town planning consultancy can take on the whole process for you: typical planning services include feasibility studies, preparation and submission of planning applications, fulfilling planning and building regulations requirements and other planning conditions, and handling planning appeals.

Planning consultants’ professional advice on a range of planning matters may offer your scheme the best chance of achieving planning success. If, however, you have a straightforward development project, the services of an architect may suffice.

Planning Matters in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council plans to build around 45,000 new homes between 2024 and 2035, an ambitious target reflecting its determination to address housing demand while creating well-connected, sustainable communities that maintain the county’s charm and natural beauty.

The main goals of the council’s 2024 development plan include providing more affordable homes, supporting local businesses, and improving infrastructure. New developments should align with the council’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Planning policy

Key areas earmarked for development include Basingstoke and Eastleigh, where new housing, commercial spaces, and improved infrastructure are planned to accommodate population growth. These areas are set to see vibrant new communities with a blend of homes, shops, and public spaces, boosting the local economy.

Two major development schemes in the pipeline include the Manydown Garden Town near Basingstoke, which will bring thousands of new homes, parks, schools, and community facilities, and the Eastleigh Riverside project, which focuses on mixed-use development, including housing and business spaces, alongside improved transport links.

Five schemes Steered through the Planning Process by Hampshire Planning Consultants

Southern Planning Practice

Based near Winchester, this general town planning practice primarily serves Hampshire and counties in the south east. Their planning services include development appraisals, planning audits, planning applications, planning appeals and local plan representations. Southern Planning provides planning advice for the residential, commercial, agricultural and tourism sectors.  

The practice prepared and submitted a prior approval application to convert a redundant farm building into three residential dwellings. This was accepted, and consultants then looked at demolishing the building and replacing it with a new-build scheme to create a higher-quality development. The site is adjacent to listed buildings and the scheme had to be sensitively designed. Discussions with Test Valley Borough Council led to approval for a scheme to demolish the original building and replace it with two semi-detached houses and one detached house.

Wessex Planning

This small town planning consultancy in Ampfield deals with home extensions, large housing sites, barn conversions and community buildings. Wessex Planning provides planning services including planning appraisals, pre-applications, planning applications, site promotion and appeals.

Wessex Planning obtained planning permission for the demolition of an existing building and its replacement with a larger house in the countryside. A Planning, Design and Access statement was submitted to the local planning authority alongside the planning application to demonstrate that the proposals for this high-quality replacement dwelling aligned with Local Plan policies.

BJC Planning

Planning advice on residential and commercial development of all sizes is offered by this Hampshire planning consultancy which has been operating for over 35 years. Their work includes rural, agricultural and equestrian development, schemes involving the historic environment, self-build homes and leisure schemes. BJC Planning can provide initial advice, planning appraisals, pre-application submissions, planning application submissions, local and neighbourhood plans, design and access statements, lawful use certificates, and will handle a planning appeal if required.

BJC Planning obtained planning permission from Winchester City Council on behalf of David Wilson Homes for a scheme for 91 homes at Swanmore, along with vehicular and pedestrian access.

Adams Hendry

Working on schemes involving small, complex sites to volume housebuilders, Adams Hendry provides a full range of planning services. Their work includes residential and commercial schemes, along with ports and harbours, transport projects, heritage sites and residential care schemes.

Adams Hendry advised Winchester College on plans to develop 11 residential properties for rent on a historic site.  The scheme involves renovation and new build properties to create high-quality flats and houses. A detailed planning application was prepared and an application for Scheduled Monument Consent.

Pure Town Planning

This chartered town planning consultancy has offices in Hampshire and Dorset and works on residential and commercial schemes, rural and heritage projects. They focus on obtaining the best planning consent possible for clients, cost-effectively and swiftly.

Planning consent for a replacement dwelling in the South Downs National Park was recommended for approval in this scheme designed by Pure Town Planning. The existing house was in poor condition and suffered from noise from the adjacent main road. Permission was sought for a replacement house away from the roadside. The consultants followed the South Downs National Park Local Plan policy that permits the development of replacement residential dwellings outside settlement boundaries providing that floor space does not increase by more than 30%. Consultants provided a Design, Access and Planning statement, ecology reports, an arboricultural report and a landscape Visual Impact Assessment to demonstrate that the plans would be acceptable. The proposal included using local stone and a green sedum roof to blend with the character of the national park.

Identify the Right Town Planning Consultancy

The first step is to locate a firm that has worked on schemes like yours, enabling you to see a completed project and assess whether it aligns with your aims. Planning consultants are extremely knowledgeable about the planning application process adopted by local authorities and will be well-versed in planning law, enabling them to give the best planning advice.

As discussed, there are many advantages to engaging a planning consultant, from project management to receiving professional advice, saving time and costs. If your scheme faces complicated planning issues, teaming up with the right person in a consultancy could be the best way to achieve planning success.