The common question we get asked on a number of occasions here at Studio Charrette is, ‘Can we get planning approval, and how can we improve our chances of a successful application? The obvious answer is to book in an appraisal with one of our expert consultants before you submit or start any project by emailing [email protected], providing your contact details, the full site address and what it is you are intending to do. Even if it is just an idea or concept, we can help provide you with guidance and advice. If you want to know what exactly a planning appraisal consists of, please view our website and podcasts for further details.
The English planning system does have a tendency to change every time a new government gets elected. The latest government idea is to shift to a system where only a small number of decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The new planning regime – in theory – would be much more about following a set of rules. We’ll see whether it’s really so simple in practice. Until then, getting planning permission will continue to be about using a combination of great research, knowledge gained from experience and powers of persuasion. That’s why we think you should be booking in that initial planning appraisal with us here at Studio Charrette. Please email us with your full address, project details and a date and time you wish to discuss your proposals. We can book you in with one of our expert consultants for a conversation, and they will guide you through what is required to achieve a successful planning approval.
Can you give me a simple yes/no answer about whether I can get planning permission?
The truth here is that planning is anything but simple, which is why it is always best to engage with a consultant at the earliest opportunity. Whilst we are not the Council, and there are always hurdles and obstacles to overcome, if you have one of our expert consultants to guide you through that process, we can overcome those hurdles and hoops you need to jump through.
The current planning system allows some very patient people to make a series of planning applications about the same site, creeping closer to a compromise with the council each time. You can avoid time-consuming and costly applications by speaking to us first. During that initial consultation, we can advise on the site history, planning policies applicable to that site and any relevant material planning considerations, such as local planning policies, planning history and other nearby development that may have set a precedent for your case. It’s crucial to start the right way. So much time and money is wasted by people putting in planning applications that the council is certain to refuse. Sometimes because the council would block anything on that site, but often they turn the proposal down because the application takes the wrong approach. Either way, it’s a refusal that could have been avoided. Speak to us here first; email [email protected], and we will do the rest. We will help you save time and money and avoid submitting an application that stands no chance of ever gaining approval. Experience is valuable in a situation like this. With a firmly rule-based structure, in theory anyone can grasp what’s going on fairly quickly. However, with planning rules and legislation in England, each application submitted and each decision received is a learning process. The more applications you work on with a council, the more you understand about how that particular council approaches planning.
As a national consultancy with planners with many years of experience and expertise in local government and private practice, we believe that the experience of everyone who has worked at Studio Charrette has been used to establish and perfect how to improve your chances of planning approval. Book in an appraisal with us at Studio Charrette now. Email [email protected] with your full site address and project details, and we can book in a planning appraisal with you.
So what exactly are we researching for you, and what benefits are there to an Appraisal with us first?
There’s national policy, which includes the National Planning Policy Framework – this has recently been updated – for further details around this, please see our other blogs and video content and have a look at our website Planning Permissions Appraisal – Studio Charrette – Plan. Design. Build. We research other details, such as whether your new residential development complies with the nationally described space standard and any permitted development regulations should you be enquiring about permitted development (again, see our website and other content for more details around permitted development rules)
Then, in London, we have the London Plan. Then each council has its policies, and – the government is right about this – these are often a mess. It’s not uncommon to find a local plan, half of which has been replaced by a new document and half of which hasn’t. Sometimes the document you are looking for is called the local plan; sometimes it’s the core strategy plus a development management document. There will also be a jumble of Supplementary Planning Documents or Supplementary Planning Guidance covering a local area or a topic such as design. Below that, there might be a neighbourhood or parish plan. If the site is in a conservation area, there may well be particular local conservation area rules. Sometimes the conservation areas will be shown on an interactive map, sometimes there’s a fuzzy PDF, and sometimes there’s no single map at all. Provide us with all the details of your project, and we will do the rest. We will contact you to book 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, taking into consideration all of the above points and more, so that you can have a detailed and informed discussion about the most suitable type of application to submit and our reasons why. They will advise on the relevant planning policies and constraints applicable to your site so that you don’t end up submitting an application that has no chance of approval whatsoever. 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.
