Need a planning consultant in Leicestershire?

Planning Consultants in Leicestershire

This mainly rural county is home to several towns including Market Harborough, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Loughborough, along with the county town of Leicester. Leicestershire planning authorities strive to ensure that approved planning applications are firmly in line with policies to create sustainable development while not harming valuable areas.

If you are planning a development scheme in Leicestershire, the skills of a planning consultant may prove beneficial in guiding it through the planning process.

In this article we describe the role of a planning consultant and look at some great developments masterminded by five planning consultancies in Leicestershire.

How Planning Consultants can Help a Project

Their in-depth knowledge of the planning system and both local and national priorities can make the advice of a planning consultant invaluable.

They should be well-versed in the local authority’s planning outlook and have good working relationship with planning officers.

Typical services offered by planning consultants include site appraisals, feasibility studies, submission of planning applications, liaison with planning officers, and planning appeals.

Leicestershire County Council’s 2024 Development Plan

The focus is on growth, sustainability, and maintaining the region’s charm. With Leicestershire’s population steadily increasing, the council is aiming to address the housing shortage while preserving the natural beauty and heritage that make this East Midlands county so special.

A key goal is to build 20,000 new homes by 2030. This is part of a broader strategy to meet the housing needs of a growing population while supporting local businesses and infrastructure.

The plan involves two major developments, firstly the M1 Junction 19 and A46 Western Bypass project, which aims to improve transport links and reduce congestion, making it easier for people to travel across the county. This will support economic growth, particularly in the rural areas where access to larger cities is often limited. The second initiative is the strategic housing development at North East Leicester, which will create thousands of new homes, alongside community facilities, retail spaces, and green areas.

A key concern is protecting the county’s rural areas, historical sites, and landscapes while accommodating new homes and infrastructure. To enable this, the council is focusing on sustainable building practices, green spaces, and environmentally friendly transport options.

Five Planning Consultancies in Leicestershire

RG+P planning consultants

With expertise in the residential, education, commercial, retirement, leisure and mixed-use sectors, RG+P has studios in London, Birmingham and Leicester and design developments across the UK. This firm has a 40-year history and is a member of the prestigious AJ100 and Building Top 150 Consultants. Its main disciplines include architecture and interior design, placemaking and urbanism, project management and cost consultancy.

GW Planning 

This firm provides town planning consultancy and regeneration delivery advice focused on city centre and other major projects. Based in the Midlands, GW Planning is currently involved in projects in several cities including Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry and Leicester.  

GW Planning has secured permission for 56 student studio rooms at Silver Street, Reading. The scheme includes a central courtyard behind the street frontage. It generated local objections and was initially refused but was resolved after negotiations, some redesign and the resolution of a S106 planning legal agreement. The architects were O’Connell East Architects.

Astill Planning

This team of town planning consultants and architects offers nationwide coverage and advises on all types and scales of planning matters from large, complex development proposals to small scale and householder applications. Astill Planning work in the residential, retail and leisure, renewables, health and education, telecoms and commercial sectors. It offers a range of services within the design and construction industry, from initial appraisal and feasibility studies, through to design, planning applications, building regulations, specifications and on-site project management.

Astill Consultants worked on this scheme to convert a derelict listed building into flats and a new house, retaining original features where possible.

Rob Duncan Planning Consultancy Ltd.

Rob Duncan Planning offers professional advice on all aspects of town and country planning. Working with both private and public sector clients, the practice has established a strong track record of success. The firm serves the wider Staffordshire and West Midlands area, providing advice and delivering planning permissions for a wide range of schemes including residential, commercial, business, leisure, retail and changes of use.

Working with Strӧm Architects, Rob Duncan Planning Consultancy secured planning permission for this contemporary replacement house in the Cheshire Green Belt.

Planapp.co.uk

Located in Hinckley, Planapp provides planning and architectural services across the East and West Midlands, Warwickshire and Staffordshire and further afield.

Residential development is a speciality, from domestic extensions and individually designed homes, to small development sites of up to 10 dwellings. The firm also works on commercial buildings and property development, retail, office and industrial building design, remodelling and development.

Need a Planning Consultant in Leicestershire?

Firstly, identify firms that specialise in schemes like yours. Many provide a free initial consultation, giving you the chance to see details of previous projects they have worked on, and ask questions about your own project. It’s an advantage if the consultancy offers a wide range of planning services, giving you access to specialist advice. Of course, engaging a planning consultant is not a guarantee of achieving a planning consent, but it should provide you with expert, strategic advice.