Need a planning consultant in Herefordshire?

Planning Consultants in Herefordshire

One of England’s most rural counties, Herefordshire boasts scenic attractions including the Wye Valley and the Malvern Hills, making it a draw for residents and tourists alike. Its appeal, of course, places pressure on development, making preserving green spaces a priority for the county council.

Any planning development in this West Midland Region county is likely to come under scrutiny, and if you have a project in mind, you may consider using the specialist services of a planning consultant.

In this article, we outline planning consultants’ role in development projects, before looking at Herefordshire County Council’s approach to development. To illustrate the points made, we highlight the work of five planning consultants in Herefordshire.

What is the role of planning consultants?

Planning consultants are experts in planning issues and will be well-versed in the local authority development plan and national policies. Problematic property development schemes can often benefit from their specialist knowledge of the planning process and planning law. Typical planning services include site assessments, feasibility studies, submission of planning applications, and compliance with building regulations requirements. Planning consultants can also manage negotiations with local planning authorities and handle planning appeals.

Planning and development in Herefordshire

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty including the River Wye and the Malvern Hills, along with the Golden Valley and Black Mountains, make Herefordshire an attractive place to live. Because of this, the county faces challenges in meeting the demands for housing while protecting its rural spaces. Increasing numbers of tourists also put pressure on the county’s green areas, while boosting the local economy.

Herefordshire County Council’s 2024 development plan promotes sustainable growth that preserves the county’s rural charm and unique heritage. There are plans to build around 16,000 new homes in the county by 2035.

The council’s main objectives include providing affordable housing, supporting local businesses, improving infrastructure, investing in green energy and protecting Herefordshire’s stunning landscapes and biodiversity.

Herefordshire is focusing on brownfield redevelopment and implementing eco-friendly construction practices to minimise environmental impact. Housing and mixed-use development are targeted at Hereford and Leominster: schemes include the Hereford Enterprise Zone Expansion which will boost local jobs and innovation, and the Western Relief Road project, aimed at improving transport links while reducing city centre congestion.

Projects by Five Herefordshire Planning Consultancies

Procuro Planning Services

Based in Hereford, Procuro Planning Services has 30 years of experience in planning: consultants have worked with local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate. This firm provides a full range of town and country planning services, including pre-applications, planning applications, responses to local planning authorities, planning appeals, representation in development plans and neighbourhood plan processes.

Procuro Planning Services secured a residential development for nine new homes on this former industrial warehouse site. Lengthy negotiations were held with the Herefordshire planning authority: the scheme required flood risk assessment, levels surveys to model flows on nearby water courses, and a noise assessment, along with a marketing campaign to demonstrate the redundancy of the site in terms of industry and employment.

James Spreckley Ltd.

Chartered surveyors and planning consultants James Spreckley Ltd. cover the Three Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and adjoining counties. Clients include landowners and investors, and work focuses on winning planning permission for development. This firm works independently or with other professionals as project leader, or as part of a client’s existing team of advisors.

James Spreckley specialises in strategic land promotion, residential developments, commercial buildings, listed buildings, barn conversions and glamping sites.

Sunderlands

With offices in Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, Sunderlands is a residential, rural and commercial firm with a specialist planning and development division. It offers the full range of planning and development advice, dealing with planning applications and providing advice on compensation matters, grants and expert witness. Sunderlands’ team regularly works with specialist planning consultants on larger schemes.

Collins Design and Build Ltd.

This design and construction firm has a planning consultancy division managed by a fully qualified Royal Town Planning Institute chartered town planner with 20 years of experience. It can deal with planning applications, development plan promotion, listed building applications, Class Q and other prior approvals, appeals, permitted development advice and planning statements. Incorporating architectural design and construction services allows Collins to provide an integrated approach to completing projects.

 This hop store is an example of the typical large-scale agricultural buildings that Collins Design and Build offers through its agricultural buildings division.

Bernard Eacock Ltd.

Herefordshire-based town planning consultancy Bernard Eacock Ltd. provides planning advice to private and commercial clients in the West Midlands. It has extensive experience in rural planning matters and submission of planning applications affecting protected landscapes such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Conservation Areas. Their services include site appraisals, planning applications, planning appeals, section 106 agreements and listed buildings advice. The firm has chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute and provides planning consultancy services to architects and architectural practices, land agents and commercial development companies.

Do You Need Planning Advice?

If you are looking to engage a planning consultancy, or a chartered town planner, ensure that the firms you consider are experienced in handling schemes like yours and are skilled at providing clear planning advice when you contact them. If you are thinking about barn conversions or schemes involving listed buildings, ensure the planning consultancy has a proven track record of success in securing planning permission for similar projects: ask to see their recent work. It is also helpful if they can offer a wide range of planning services to provide maximum support.