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WHAT ARE PLANNING ASSESSMENTS?
Planning assessments are our cost-effective version of the pre-application advice service offered by local councils, although we like to think our service offers more bang for your buck.
Find out more about the pre-application advice service offered by local councils using the button below.
The main goal of a planning assessment is to evaluate the likelihood that planning permission will be granted for a site and/or development(s) before time and money is spent on a formal planning application.
WHAT DIFFERENT PLANNING ASSESSMENTS DOES PLANNING DIRECT OFFER?
Planning Direct offer bespoke planning assessments. Contact us for free today to tell us what you want to know and how much detail you require. We’ll always tailor the content of our planning assessments to meet your needs.
There are two main types of planning assessment that we offer. Both of these can be tailored to meet your needs in a specific case.
If you require a different type of planning assessment, please get in touch!
1. You own (or lease) land or a building that you wish to develop and you are open to different development options
In these cases, our planning assessment would aim to answer the following key questions:
A. What different redevelopment options are available?
For example: new housing, tourist accommodation, commercial development, new build, conversion.
B. What is the likelihood of planning permission being granted for each of the options?
This will include consideration of all relevant planning policies. It will also include assessment of the site’s key development constraints* and opportunities**.
*such as mature trees or flood zones.
**such as poor quality or dilapidated buildings that are worthy of replacement.
C. What option(s) is the most sensible or feasible?
This will include basic consideration of matters such as the cost involved in making a planning application and its likely profitability.
D. What planning application(s) do you need to submit, what documents are required and what is the likely cost?
We will identify the type of application that is most appropriate. We will also identify the documents and reports you will need to submit. Depending on the site and the development, this is likely to include documents like planning drawings, flood risk assessments, heritage impact assessments, travel plans etc. We’ll always try to give you a ballpark cost for the whole application.
You can find out more about the different types of planning applications and the various planning reports and services offered by Planning Direct using the buttons below.
2. You have a site in mind for a specific development
In these cases, our planning assessment would aim to answer the following key questions:
A. What is the likelihood of planning permission being granted?
This will include consideration of all relevant planning policies. It will also include assessment of the site’s key development constraints* and opportunities**.
*such as mature trees or flood zones.
**such as poor quality or dilapidated buildings that are worthy of replacement.
B. What planning application(s) do you need to submit, what documents are required and what is the likely cost?
We will identify the type of application that is most appropriate. We will also identify the documents and reports you will need to submit. Depending on the site and the development, this is likely to include documents like planning drawings, flood risk assessments, heritage impact assessments, travel plans etc. We’ll always try to give you a ballpark cost for the whole application.
You can find out more about the different types of planning applications and the various planning reports and services offered by Planning Direct using the buttons below.
C. If the site is not suitable for the proposed development, are there any more suitable sites or areas?
If our advice is that you should not proceed with a planning application because your local council is very likely to refuse permission, we’ll try to identify alternative sites and areas where the chances of getting planning permission will be much better. For example, we may suggest that your development is very likely to be approved in a town centre or on previously developed land in the countryside. We will not be able to identify specific plots of land that are available for sale/lease.
D. If the site is not suitable for the proposed development, are there any alternative uses for the site that would stand a better chance of approval?
If our advice is that you should not proceed with a planning application because your local council is very likely to refuse permission, we’ll try to identify alternative uses for the site that stand a better chance of getting planning permission.
We’ll always prioritise uses that are similar to the use you had in mind. For example, we may advise that normal market housing is unlikely to be approved but that affordable housing or short-term holiday accommodation would have a good chance of success.
If you’d like us to conduct a planning assessment before you proceed to application stage, please get in touch. Our initial advice is always free of charge.