5 Planning Tips

5 - The Basics

Get the basics right! You want to have a good, accurate design that complies with relevant policies and is sympathetic to its surroundings. Keeping in touch with the planner is also essential. Most of our applications are in and around London and get approval without many problems because we get the basics right.

4 - Get Support

Whilst an objection from your neighbours isn’t the end of the world, it’s much better to avoid it if possible. The proposed design will have to be in line with planning policy, so it’s unlikely an objection will hold much weight, but for the price of a bottle of wine or a beuquet of flowers, it’s worth it. You’re going to have to have that conversation at some point any way!

3 - Time

don’t get stuck on the kitchen or bathroom layouts at this stage. Whether you have lots of time or not, the unpredictability of the planning process means that time is very valuable commodity. Unless it’s a listed building then it’s very unlikely the orientation of the kitchen or toilet is going to be an issue for the planner. Let the application go through its process whilst these issues are resolved.

2 - Expect the unexpected.

Sometimes planners have an unusual perspective on an application and they may be looking for something to complain about. It’s important to push back on these points where possible however sometimes going to appeal is the only way to succeed. Often clients don’t have the 6 months to wait for an appeal, but I would say we win at least 80% of our appeals because often planners make the wrong decisions!

1 - strategy

This is the most important. If you have the time, then you can lump everything into one application and negotiate with the planner at in week 6/7 of 8….if it’s not delayed. The advantage is that if you get approval, then there is no expiration date so you can build things in phases at any point. Planners also prefer this route.