Need a planning consultant in the north west?

Planning consultants in the North West

Regeneration schemes and housebuilding are targeted at major cities such as Manchester and Liverpool, while smaller towns and cities in the north west are also anticipating job creation projects, housing and infrastructure improvements.

If you have a challenging development project in the north west, advice from planning consultants could clarify the best approach to take. Planning consultants can provide expert advice about a specific scheme, which can often streamline the process of applying for and achieving planning permission.

In this article we examine the skills of a planning consultant and look at the north west region’s development aims. To illustrate the point, we then highlight five stunning projects by planning consultants in the north west.

What a Town and Country Planning Consultancy can offer

Planning consultants have extensive knowledge of the planning system which enables them to give strategic professional planning advice. They will be familiar with your local authority planning outlook and used to working alongside relevant council officers. Firms offering a comprehensive service may well be registered with the regulatory body, the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Typically, a professional planning consultancy will offer site appraisals, feasibility studies, planning applications and appeals, follow-up negotiations with local government town planning officers, listed building expertise and Green Belt applications. Chartered town planners may also be able to provide planning advice to the public and private sectors or land owners about commercial developments, conservation areas, permitted development rights, local plan strategy and lawful development certificates.

The planning and development expertise they offer can often make hiring chartered town planners a cost effective option, giving schemes the best chance of success.

Development in the North West

The north west of England’s planning and development strategy is focused on driving economic growth, delivering much-needed housing, and improving transport links while preserving its rich natural and cultural heritage.

The current development plan for the north west highlights housing delivery, investment in infrastructure, and support for green industries. Key areas like Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston are earmarked for urban regeneration and housebuilding. Smaller cities like Carlisle and Chester will see targeted growth to meet local demands.

From 2025 to 2035, 150,000 new homes are planned across the region. Notable schemes include the Northern Gateway project, which aims to create a sustainable urban hub in Manchester, and the Liverpool Waters development, bringing residential, commercial, and leisure spaces to Liverpool’s waterfront.

The north west faces environmental pressures such as flood risks, especially around its rivers and coastlines, and its several Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the Lake District National Park, must be protected. Planning applications that prioritise eco-friendly designs and enhanced flood defences are encouraged.

Five amazing schemes by planning consultants in the north west

Eden Planning

With offices in Altrincham and London, this firm offers a wide range of planning services, catering for large sites and small individual projects. Eden Planning provide planning appraisals, pre -application engagement with the local planning authorities, planning statements, public consultation, planning applications and planning appeals.

This town centre development with partners Starship Group at Dee Lane, West Kirby, Wirral, is a sustainable mixed-use scheme comprising commercial units on the ground floor and eight homes on the three floors above. Eden Planning carried out full planning services including initial site appraisal, planning strategy and pre-application advice.

Cassidy + Ashton

This multi-disciplinary practice comprises town planners, chartered building surveyors, chartered architects and construction advisors. The firm’s wide range of experience enables it to take on large scale and complex projects, and it has clients across the UK.

Cassidy + Ashton provided planning consultancy and architectural consultancy services in designing three bespoke houses for a private client. Materials including natural stone and metal cladding were used to create a high specification finish.

Peacock + Smith

Having over 30 years of experience in dealing with projects across various sectors, Peacock + Smith offers a comprehensive service, including planning applications, asset management and site promotion.

Peacock + Smith acted as planning agent at an appeal following refusal of an application for full planning permission for 251 houses on grounds of a potential health risk from landfill gas from a former tip next to the site. Taking into account the proposed mitigation measures, the appeal inspector found the risk was not unacceptable and the scheme constituted sustainable development.

Euan Kellie Property Solutions

This small town planning consultancy is based in Manchester and takes clients through all stages of the planning process. Regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Euan Kellie has advised on a range of projects over 15 years, including planning statements, environmental impact assessments and project management.

Euan Kellie helped the Cheshire Smokehouse secure planning permission for a new manufacturing facility in the Green Belt, advising on the planning strategy to justify the redevelopment of the company’s existing site.

P4 Planning

Established in 2013, P4 Planning has decades of combined experience and expertise in unlocking difficult sites for new uses, adding value to underused land. This independent planning consultancy focuses on providing bespoke planning strategies to help clients identify development potential and progress through the planning process.

P4 Planning provided planning advice for the New World Trading Company with their expansion plans for The Botanist, The Florist and House brands, including planning applications, listed building consents and heritage planning advice at sites across the UK.

Find a Planning Consultant in the North West Region

The first step is to identify planning consultants with extensive experience and a good track record of success with planning applications like yours. Meet them to discuss your aims and ask to see schemes that they have worked on. Bear in mind that some firms will be experts in areas such as barn conversions, house extensions, industrial premises, green belt applications or residential schemes. It’s useful if the firm you choose can offer a wide range of planning services to ensure you are getting the best advice to help achieve a positive outcome.