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These pages contain useful information about some of the most common planning topics and issues we encounter day-to-day. If you need help with a topic that doesn’t appear here, please get in touch using the button below.

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Heritage

What is a heritage asset? Where can you find out more about them? Why and how are they relevant to planning?
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Permitted development rights

Including householder rights, change of use rights, prior approval applications & article 4 directions
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4 & 10 year rules

Did you know that most unauthorised development becomes lawful after 4 or 10 years?
Find out more

Material planning considerations

These are matters that can seriously affect your chances of getting planning permission
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Getting permission for new homes

Including what application types you need, how to select a site, how to design a development and how to increase your chances of getting permission
Find out more

Loft conversions

Do you need planning permission to convert your loft?
Find out more

Extensions

Do you need planning permission to extend your home?
Find out more


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"Holly thank you so much for all your hard work in getting the approval for the Certificate of lawfulness. You worked hard and patiently with a very trying Local Authority and Case Officer in a very professional manner which achieved the positive outcome."
Mr Dodsworth
Private Client
"Great practical advice and liaison with the local authority. A positive approach and excellent planning statement achieved what we didn’t think was achievable!"
Mr and Mrs Johnson
Private Clients
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"Jamie was extremely professional and always gave over and above the amount of time I required he never rushed when he was clearly busy. The wonderful support gave me confidence to appreciate and hope for the desired outcome. THANK YOU."
Helen Hudson
Private Client
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"Planning Direct’s and in particular Nikki’s ability and knowledge with planning appeal is the best I have ever come across! Speaking to Nikki she listens, she understands, she challenges, and the breadth of her experience on appeals is top quality. Highly recommended!"
Mathew Harmsworth
Senior Planner
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"Planning Direct were engaged by the client following a recommendation from ourselves in response to a planning refusal from Islington Borough Council. Planning Direct handled the appeal in their usual efficient manner and the case was won hands down!"
Keith Johns
Architect
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"Planning Direct were approached about a complex case, which was serious in its nature and had been going on for a long period of time. The advice given was clean and concise and the case handled professionally through a very difficult time – the pandemic."
Mr Mead
Private Client
"Andrew and Nikki worked hard and efficiently on our change of use application with a positive outcome and I believe this was all down to their expertise and experience, we would recommend them to anyone and would not hesitate to use them again in the future. Great work"
Suffolk business now able to expand thanks to Planning Direct
Anon
"I have used Planning Direct for numerous applications and general help / enquiries. I have found them to be a wealth of knowledge and expertise in some complex areas of Listed Building Matters and various Policy Regulations."
Mr Preston
Developer
"Andrew worked tirelessly on documenting our objection statement and writing our respective three minute presentations for the Development Control Committee. Our sincere thanks go to Andrew Cann for his diligence, guidance, attention to detail and highly professional approach in helping"
Andrew Smith
Bardwell and Stanton Parish Councils
"I want to place on record my thanks to you for all you have done to advise and assist Pakefield Opposing Tesco in our campaign to stop Tesco taking over the Tramway Hotel in Pakefield, Lowestoft. “"
Bob Blizzard
Chair, Pakefield Opposing Tesco
"I worked with Andrew when the Crossrail Bill, which at the time would have had a severe effect on rail freight, was being considered by the House of Lords. He is a canny operator and was quick to grasp the case and how best to present it to peers."
Angus Walker
Partner / Head of Department at Bircham Dyson Bell
"Andrew worked with me on several strategic projects. He demonstrated a professional attitude. In particular, his detailed focus on technical areas (rail, marine and planning) was a strong resource for the team."
Nick Orbell
Estates Management at DP World
"Andrew recently demonstrated that in complex, disputed, multi-stakeholder situations he can marshal a team, co-ordinate argument, and drive a winning conclusion. A great person to work with."
Professor Alan Hallsworth
Academic

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What Our Clients Say About Us

"Holly thank you so much for all your hard work in getting the approval for the Certificate of lawfulness. You worked hard and patiently with a very trying Local Authority and Case Officer in a very professional manner which achieved the positive outcome."
Mr Dodsworth
Private Client
"Great practical advice and liaison with the local authority. A positive approach and excellent planning statement achieved what we didn’t think was achievable!"
Mr and Mrs Johnson
Private Clients
Read the case study
"Jamie was extremely professional and always gave over and above the amount of time I required he never rushed when he was clearly busy. The wonderful support gave me confidence to appreciate and hope for the desired outcome. THANK YOU."
Helen Hudson
Private Client
Read the case study
"Planning Direct’s and in particular Nikki’s ability and knowledge with planning appeal is the best I have ever come across! Speaking to Nikki she listens, she understands, she challenges, and the breadth of her experience on appeals is top quality. Highly recommended!"
Mathew Harmsworth
Senior Planner
Read the case study
"Planning Direct were engaged by the client following a recommendation from ourselves in response to a planning refusal from Islington Borough Council. Planning Direct handled the appeal in their usual efficient manner and the case was won hands down!"
Keith Johns
Architect
Read the case study
"Planning Direct were approached about a complex case, which was serious in its nature and had been going on for a long period of time. The advice given was clean and concise and the case handled professionally through a very difficult time – the pandemic."
Mr Mead
Private Client
"Andrew and Nikki worked hard and efficiently on our change of use application with a positive outcome and I believe this was all down to their expertise and experience, we would recommend them to anyone and would not hesitate to use them again in the future. Great work"
Suffolk business now able to expand thanks to Planning Direct
Anon
"I have used Planning Direct for numerous applications and general help / enquiries. I have found them to be a wealth of knowledge and expertise in some complex areas of Listed Building Matters and various Policy Regulations."
Mr Preston
Developer
"Andrew worked tirelessly on documenting our objection statement and writing our respective three minute presentations for the Development Control Committee. Our sincere thanks go to Andrew Cann for his diligence, guidance, attention to detail and highly professional approach in helping"
Andrew Smith
Bardwell and Stanton Parish Councils
"I want to place on record my thanks to you for all you have done to advise and assist Pakefield Opposing Tesco in our campaign to stop Tesco taking over the Tramway Hotel in Pakefield, Lowestoft. “"
Bob Blizzard
Chair, Pakefield Opposing Tesco
"I worked with Andrew when the Crossrail Bill, which at the time would have had a severe effect on rail freight, was being considered by the House of Lords. He is a canny operator and was quick to grasp the case and how best to present it to peers."
Angus Walker
Partner / Head of Department at Bircham Dyson Bell
"Andrew worked with me on several strategic projects. He demonstrated a professional attitude. In particular, his detailed focus on technical areas (rail, marine and planning) was a strong resource for the team."
Nick Orbell
Estates Management at DP World
"Andrew recently demonstrated that in complex, disputed, multi-stakeholder situations he can marshal a team, co-ordinate argument, and drive a winning conclusion. A great person to work with."
Professor Alan Hallsworth
Academic
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