The common question we get asked all the time here at Studio Charrette is, ‘Why book an appraisal? What is it for, and why do I need one?’ According to the latest housing surveys, 25% of homeowners (appr. 4.5 million people) think planning permission is the biggest obstacle to getting their projects completed.
Unless you already have an expert planning team full of architects designing your project and expert planners submitting your plans with a track record of obtaining planning permission, securing planning consent can be hard. Your project needs to be tailored to local planning restrictions, policies, and limitations to ensure that you align with your council’s codes.
What do our Appraisals consist of?
Book an appraisal with us by emailing [email protected], providing your contact details, the full site address and what it is you want to do, and we will do the rest. We will contact you to book in a suitable time to have a phone or Zoom consultation with one of our expert consultants. They will, prior to your consultation, research your site address so that you can have a detailed and informed discussion about whether your proposal falls under the tolerances of permitted development or whether it is something that requires a more detailed planning application.
We discuss your project with you, talk about the most suitable type of application, the reasons why we are recommending that type of application and what the likelihood of success of the application would be. Shortly after the call, on the same day, you will receive by email our written summary and advice discussed during your consultation. You will also receive a quotation from us explaining what our fees are for the work on that type of application.
Applying for planning permission might be risky, and it becomes riskier the less you’re prepared for it. Preparing a comprehensive application that includes relevant forms, supporting documents, and plans, ensuring compliance with local authority guidelines are all things which we will discuss with you at an early stage if you book in a planning appraisal with us and provide us with the details of your project for us to review.
A same-day planning appraisal is a fast review by an expert to see if your building or land project can get council approval. You need one to quickly find out if your idea is allowed, spot hidden local rules, and stop you from wasting money on plans that will fail.
Planning Appraisals: A smart first step before any development.
A planning appraisal helps landowners understand the long-term potential of their land, not just the immediate development possibilities. By providing an evidence-based assessment, it helps minimise risk, highlights realistic opportunities, and guides attention towards schemes with the strongest prospects for success.
Crucially, a planning appraisal helps avoid unnecessary expense and time by steering landowners away from unviable proposals and towards development ideas that are both achievable and policy-compliant.
A planning appraisal clearly identifies which factors apply and what site constraints apply to your property or land and explains how they may shape, guide, or even potentially enable development. Understanding these influences early allows proposals to be designed intelligently and sensitively, avoiding surprises and creating a solid platform for progress.
Understanding Planning Policy and Unlocking Opportunity
Planning policy sits at the heart of development feasibility. A planning appraisal reviews all relevant:
- National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
- Local Plan policies
- Neighbourhood Plan policies
- Supplementary planning documents
- Emerging local policy changes
In many rural areas, policy can offer valuable opportunities, particularly around:
- Rural diversification
- Reuse or conversion of existing buildings
- Tourism and leisure uses
- Small-scale employment uses
- Sustainable rural housing (where justified)
By aligning proposals with policy from the outset, landowners significantly improve the likelihood of securing a positive planning outcome. The answer may well be yes, you can redevelop or extend or change the use of that property or building; however, before you commence any project and spend money on drawings and application submissions or instruct anyone for such a project, it is important to book in a consultation with one of our experts here at Studio Charrette as soon as possible. Email [email protected] with your address and project details, and we will book in a planning appraisal for you. Please review our website and watch our podcasts for more details about what a planning appraisal with one of our expert consultants consists of and includes.
