Town Planning Services

Planning Applications prepared and submitted to local planning authorities with supporting plans and statements. Our ethos is to provide the Council with sufficient information to gain planning permission without the need to appeal. We regularly work with other consultants and disciplines to co-ordinate the full application package. J & J Planning & Design prepares planning applications with a high level of professionalism and care, working to meet validation requirements as efficiently as possible. We apply this approach across all planning authorities.

For further information about the difference between outline and full planning applications click here.

Local planning authorities now offer a pre-application service. This enables potential applicants to submit sketches and a summary of their proposals to the planning department and obtain preliminary advice on whether the proposals will be supported and the level of documentation needed to support a formal planning application. This route gains helpful advice and direction prior to investment in fully detailed drawings and technical documents. J & J Planning & Design can advise on the circumstances when pre-application advice is helpful and prepare the necessary summaries and sketches to support a pre-application.

Permission in Principle (PiP) is a form of planning consent that establishes whether a site is suitable for development in terms of its use, location and scale. It provides an early indication of acceptability before progressing to the more detailed Technical Details Consent stage. J & J Planning & Design has experience in preparing and managing PiP applications, helping clients explore development potential with greater clarity at an early stage.

Since April 2015 there are 3 main uses to which an agricultural building can change under permitted development rights. These include retail and business, educational and residential uses. There are size thresholds, limitations and conditions associated with the rights. J & J Planning & Design are familiar with these limitations and have obtained approval for conversions to a number of barns.

Lawful Development Certificates can be obtained for unauthorised uses and development which have existed in excess of 10 years (or in some cases 4 years). The responsibility is on the landowner to provide sufficient evidence to prove the case. J & J Planning & Design have successfully co-ordinated landowners evidence to obtain a certificate of lawfulness in a variety of circumstances. Lawful Development Certificates can also be obtained for proposed uses. This is particularly useful for ensuring that permitted development is acceptable to the local authority and also provides a legal document for future sales of property and land.

Every local planning authority in England has to maintain an up to date Local Plan. Allocations of land are required for commercial and residential development. Councils are also required to maintain a raft of policies which are positively prepared to deliver sustainable development to meet local needs and national priorities. J & J Planning & Design have experience in site promotion and representations on behalf of developers, landowners and community groups to ensure that local interests and needs are recognised. This includes appearance at Hearings before the Examination Inspector.

J & J Planning & Design has years of experience in appeals whether by Written Representation, Hearings or a Public Inquiry. We are very willing to undertake appeals against decisions where we were not the agent for the planning application. For further information about the different types of appeal click here

We are experienced in assisting landowners who are threatened with Enforcement action from the local planning authority.  Planning law is complex, however we are experienced in finding a way through the maze using legal planning advice.

J & J Planning & Design have experience in preparation of Feasibility Studies and Site Appraisals to guide Site Valuations and future development prospects. Planning history, policy and other land use constraints and opportunities are evaluated either as a desk based exercise or following a site visit and a detailed report provided.