Need a planning consultant in the north east?

Planning Consultants in the North East

A wide range of development is planned for major towns and cities across the north east, including housing, job creation and improved infrastructure networks. The North East Combined Authority and its seven member councils support ambitious targets for new homes, however, this must be balanced with consideration for the region’s historic towns, spectacular landscapes and coastline.

Planning advice from town planning consultants may help if you have a scheme that may encounter difficulties in gaining planning permission.

Reasons for Engaging a Town Planning Consultant:

Planning consultants can offer:

• Strategic professional planning advice to the public and private sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of the planning process and local and national planning policies.
• Site appraisals and feasibility studies.
• Preparation and submission of a planning application.
• Negotiations with planning officers.
• Planning statements.
• Design and access statements.
• Lawful development certificates.
• Heritage and listed building expertise.
• Green Belt applications.
• Planning appeal management.

The Development Plan for the North East

The area faces significant environmental challenges, including coastal erosion and balancing development with the need to protect wildlife habitats. Through green building practices and careful planning, the North East Combined Authority (NECA) aims to foster sustainable growth while safeguarding the region’s treasured landscapes for future generations.

The planning and development strategy focuses on boosting economic growth, addressing housing demand, and enhancing regional connectivity. The strategy seeks to create sustainable communities while preserving the region’s natural beauty, including its iconic coastline and protected areas like the Northumberland National Park.

NECA plays a key role in managing strategic planning and housing development following devolution, working in partnership with local councils. Its development plan for 2024 includes expanding transport networks, supporting job creation, and providing affordable housing.

Between 2025 and 2035, 35,000 new homes are planned across the region, targeting key growth areas such as Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sunderland, and Gateshead. Rural towns like Hexham and Morpeth are also set for carefully managed expansions to maintain their character.

Major schemes in the pipeline include the International Advanced Manufacturing Park near Sunderland, creating thousands of jobs, and the Gateshead Quayside redevelopment, featuring cultural spaces and housing.

Eye-catching Schemes by Planning Consultants in the North East

Ethical Planning

This chartered town planning consultancy comprises environmental and sustainability consultants and landscape architects who work with Royal Town Planning Institute’s Code of Conduct. Clients include companies and private individuals in the infrastructure, heritage, energy, commercial, residential and arts sectors.

Ethical Planning was approached to assist in a planning enforcement issue relating to the unauthorised conversion of an existing outbuilding into a self-contained holiday accommodation unit in Northumberland National Park. The firm engaged with the local planning authority and compiled the information necessary for a successful retrospective planning application, including a planning statement, drawings, surveys and assessments.

KLR Planning

This planning consultancy in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has significant experience in the retail, commercial, leisure, education and regeneration sectors. Prestigious projects include the £112m regeneration of Gateshead town centre and the £15m refurbishment of Monument Mall in Newcastle.

KLR Planning has provided planning advice for over ten years to the Project Genesis joint venture partnership between Durham County Council and Dysart Developments on the redevelopment of the 700-acre former Consett Steelworks site. Planning permissions have been granted for various uses including a Tesco store, 1,000 houses and industrial units and works continue using a masterplan approach.

Hedley Planning Services

Based in the north of England, this town planning consultancy works on a wide range of projects across the UK. Their scope of work ranges from small residential schemes to major commercial and industrial regeneration projects. Sectors include affordable housing, blue light services, residential commercial, education, heritage, leisure and tourism, renewables, and student accommodation.

Hedley Planning secured planning permission for a renewable energy project on land at Pwllheli in north Wales. The scheme involves a 15m high domestic micro wind turbine, part of a green energy initiative to power a farmhouse and holiday let accommodation. The turbine will provide up to 14kW of power for domestic and leisure use.

Jon Tweddell Planning Ltd.

Specialising in development and planning advice to the public and private sectors, JT Planning handles residential work, planning applications and planning appeals from offices in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Northumberland.

JT Planning achieved planning permission from North Tyneside Council for the conversion and part rebuilding of a former police station and sweet factory in Whitley Bay into nine residential houses. An earlier application had been refused and several planning issues needed to be addressed in order for the council to support a scheme. Important features of the existing building were retained and a contemporary element of new build was proposed to complement it.

Jo-Anne Garrick Ltd.

Independent planning consultant Jo-Anne Garrick is a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and provides planning consultancy services across the north east. With many years experience in the public and private sectors, Jo-Anne Garrick offers a wide range of planning services including development appraisals, design and access statements, planning statements, planning applications and handling planning appeals.

Find a Planning Consultant in the North East

To find the right town planning firm or chartered town planner for your project, research a few planning consultants to find out the type of work they specialise in. Speak to two or three that have significant experience and a good track record of success with similar schemes to yours. Ask to see completed projects to see if they align with your own plans.

Whether you are considering barn conversions or residential commercial schemes, planning advice may simplify your the route through the planning process and give you the best chance of success.