Planning "expert"/Mr Loop-hole type ect.
Discussion
Hello,
Are there such things as people what are experts at giving a planning application the best possible chance of success? People with a specialised knowledge of the planning procedure, likley hurdles to over-come and so on?
If so, would they be localised (i.e. different councils have different characteristics that affect the decision process). How would one find one that was reliable/as-good-as-their-claim etc? Word-of-mouth or is there a "body" as such?
Any help gratefully received!
Phil.
Are there such things as people what are experts at giving a planning application the best possible chance of success? People with a specialised knowledge of the planning procedure, likley hurdles to over-come and so on?
If so, would they be localised (i.e. different councils have different characteristics that affect the decision process). How would one find one that was reliable/as-good-as-their-claim etc? Word-of-mouth or is there a "body" as such?
Any help gratefully received!
Phil.
Yep, they're called Planning Consultants, and a quick Google will come up with various directories. The RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) is generally recognised as the leading professional body for practitioners, though.
But, yes, they are very localised. Not only do different Councils have slightly different adopted Planning policies, but the personalities are different, too.
A really good Planning Consultant will know the individual Planning Officers and the Chair and Members of the Council Planning Committee, along with all their individual foibles (many are ex-senior Local Authority Planners themselves so are often dealing with their ex-colleagues and underlings).
Also, they can have strengths in particular areas (residential or commercial development, appeals, strategic planning, etc.)
But if anyone suggests they have influence of the brown-paper-envelope kind, run a mile... in my 20-odd years in housing development, I've never known corruption of Council officials or officers to play a significant role in the Planning process. You don't need it, and it's too risky.
edited for crap typing
But, yes, they are very localised. Not only do different Councils have slightly different adopted Planning policies, but the personalities are different, too.
A really good Planning Consultant will know the individual Planning Officers and the Chair and Members of the Council Planning Committee, along with all their individual foibles (many are ex-senior Local Authority Planners themselves so are often dealing with their ex-colleagues and underlings).
Also, they can have strengths in particular areas (residential or commercial development, appeals, strategic planning, etc.)
But if anyone suggests they have influence of the brown-paper-envelope kind, run a mile... in my 20-odd years in housing development, I've never known corruption of Council officials or officers to play a significant role in the Planning process. You don't need it, and it's too risky.
edited for crap typing
Edited by Sam_68 on Tuesday 25th August 22:45
Kermit power said:
Isn't that supposed to be part of what your architect does? It certainly is for us.
It can be, but Planning Consultants have skills and knowledge over and above the typical Architect (and I speak as an Architect...).We often employ Planning Consultants, as well as Architects, on sensitive projects, to manage and promote the scheme through the Planning process.
Edited by Sam_68 on Tuesday 25th August 18:55
Thanks everyone for the help. Most useful. 
We often employ Planning Consultants, as well as Architects, on sensitive projects, to manage and promote the scheme through the Planning process.This is especially interesting, Sam_68, as I have spoken with an architect and he says that they can "do all of that for you sir". But knowing what I know about the local planning decisions, we'll need a super-dooper case with all angles covered to stand any chance. I'd rather invest the time and money in this than go through endless loops of appeal etc.
Sam_68 - would you mind if I PM'd you re:Architects. What to look for in one etc.? Cheers.
Sam_68 said:
Yep, they're called Planning Consultants, and a quick Google will come up with various directories. The RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) is generally recognised as the leading professional body for practitioners, though.
But, yes, they are very localised. Not only do different Councils have slightly different adopted Planning policies, but the personalities are different, too.
A really good Planning Consultant will know the individual Planning Officers and the Chair and Members of the Council Planning Committee, along with all their individual foibles (many are ex-senior Local Authority Planners themselves so are often dealing with their ex-colleagues and underlings).
Also, they can have strengths in particualr areas (residential or comercial development, appeals, strategic planning, etc.)
But if anyone suggests they have influence of the brown-paper-envelope kind, run a mile... in my 20-odd years in housing development, I've never known corruption of Council officials or officers to play a significant role in the Planning process. You don't need it, and it's too risky.
That's exactly the type of thing I was thinking. And I'd never entertain the old brown-paper-envelope thing anyway but, duly noted.But, yes, they are very localised. Not only do different Councils have slightly different adopted Planning policies, but the personalities are different, too.
A really good Planning Consultant will know the individual Planning Officers and the Chair and Members of the Council Planning Committee, along with all their individual foibles (many are ex-senior Local Authority Planners themselves so are often dealing with their ex-colleagues and underlings).
Also, they can have strengths in particualr areas (residential or comercial development, appeals, strategic planning, etc.)
But if anyone suggests they have influence of the brown-paper-envelope kind, run a mile... in my 20-odd years in housing development, I've never known corruption of Council officials or officers to play a significant role in the Planning process. You don't need it, and it's too risky.
Sam_68 said:
Kermit power said:
Isn't that supposed to be part of what your architect does? It certainly is for us.
It can be, but Planning Consultants have skills and knowledge over and above the typical Architect (and I speak as an Architect...).We often employ Planning Consultants, as well as Architects, on sensitive projects, to manage and promote the scheme through the Planning process.
Sam_68 - would you mind if I PM'd you re:Architects. What to look for in one etc.? Cheers.
Landlord, whereabouts is the project based? Hope it's not Chiltern District Council! 
You _may_ need a Planning Consultant, but then again you may not, without any details it's hard to tell.
We've covered Planning Applications (and Building Control Submissions) from Oxfordshire through Bucks, Berks and down to Surrey.
As has been mentioned all of the LPAs do things slightly differently, it's knowing the procedures they like and also having someone on board who knows them that can help a project.
You _may_ need a Planning Consultant, but then again you may not, without any details it's hard to tell.
We've covered Planning Applications (and Building Control Submissions) from Oxfordshire through Bucks, Berks and down to Surrey.
As has been mentioned all of the LPAs do things slightly differently, it's knowing the procedures they like and also having someone on board who knows them that can help a project.
Landlord said:
Sam_68 - would you mind if I PM'd you re:Architects. What to look for in one etc.?
Not at all, if you think I can help, but I've got to say that I've never worked in your neck of the woods and my experience of Planning Consultants is based on strategic Planning and/or major housing developments. My advice on selecting a specific Planning Consultant in Bucks for a different sort of development proposal will probably be next to useless. 
They deffo do - and do it well. I have a mate doing exactly that daahn saaf, he was a council planner for a few years, then got eadhunterd for the other side - he knows every loophole, has good relationships with the planners so there's less "fighting" and more negotiation. I think it must be expensive too, judging by his pad!
I'm an Architect but would also loosely call myself a Planning consultant based in Norfolk. In my experience as said before every Council is different from Policy down to the officer you deal with. Building a good relationship with Planning Officers is vital in achieving your goal. A lot of decision making is opinion not policy be rest assured of that!
Planning Officers prefer to be approached informally at first to iron out any issues, saving them time when the application is submitted and also saves you a great deal of cash!!!
Can you let us know more about the project????
Planning Officers prefer to be approached informally at first to iron out any issues, saving them time when the application is submitted and also saves you a great deal of cash!!!
Can you let us know more about the project????
s off your council if they are a bunch of looney left labour tGraham E said:
They deffo do - and do it well. I have a mate doing exactly that daahn saaf, he was a council planner for a few years, then got eadhunterd for the other side - he knows every loophole, has good relationships with the planners so there's less "fighting" and more negotiation. I think it must be expensive too, judging by his pad!
where abouts daahn saaf?Graham E said:
They deffo do - and do it well. I have a mate doing exactly that daahn saaf, he was a council planner for a few years, then got eadhunterd for the other side - he knows every loophole, has good relationships with the planners so there's less "fighting" and more negotiation. I think it must be expensive too, judging by his pad!
A good one is worth his/her weight in gold, given the relative value that planning permission can give to a piece of land.herbialfa said:
Planning Officers prefer to be approached informally at first to iron out any issues
Even this varies from Authority to Authority, though. Most encourage it, but some don't.For example, try contacting Cotswold District Council and you'll be told that before the Planning Officer will speak to you for pre-application consultation, you'll have to fill in a form and pay them a £1,000 fee up front (obviously designed to discourage informal consultation unless the proposal is really serious). Oh... and the advice you'll get for your £1,000 will be absolutely worthless to anyone with more than a cursory knowledge of the Planning system already.
Some other authorities don't actually charge for pre-app consultation, but make it really difficult to see an Officer (like appointments months hence), if they're busy.
I hear what you are saying, but in East Anglia (Norfolk) it is encouraged.
Landlord, its also best to get the Parish Council on your side. They don't hold much clout but its another box ticked. Another "must" is to have support from your local councillor.
I imagine from what your saying the application when submitted will be dealt with at committee rather than under delegated powers, so, if your councillor is on the Planning committee at least you will have his support/ vote. If he/ she is not on the committee and he still supports your application then he/she could still voice their support at the meeting.
Landlord, its also best to get the Parish Council on your side. They don't hold much clout but its another box ticked. Another "must" is to have support from your local councillor.
I imagine from what your saying the application when submitted will be dealt with at committee rather than under delegated powers, so, if your councillor is on the Planning committee at least you will have his support/ vote. If he/ she is not on the committee and he still supports your application then he/she could still voice their support at the meeting.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff