We offer a wide range of services which have been developed with our clients in mind. Whether you need our assistance with site identification or submitting a detailed planning application our staff have the knowledge and skills to assist you through every stage of the planning process.
We provide a full service to support our clients with amendments and extensions to their properties or schemes. Whether it is an application for a change of use or an extension to a foodstore or dwelling, Planning Potential has the expertise to guide our clients through the planning process.
Planning Potential provides a full appeals service. Whether providing written reports, attending informal hearings or acting as Expert Witness, the team at Planning Potential can provide the appropriate level of support.
Our Directors regularly appear as Expert Witness at Public Inquiries and are familiar with the testing nature of cross-examination. Our practice prides itself on ensuring appeal teams suit the nature of the Inquiry, are highly organised and present evidence in the best manner.
We believe an evidence-based approach is key. No statement is made without the associated justification through case history, survey work, precedent and case analysis. Appeal work is demanding and Planning Potential has the necessary skills to excel in this field.
Our team is able to provide a wide range of services for clients with large property portfolios including: Asda, Aldi, Le Pain Quotidien, Pret-a-Manger, Intertain and Youngs. The work often involves managing planning and associated property issues for clients businesses across the UK to ensure their needs are met in a holistic way. We provide a proactive service identifying opportunities from a planning perspective.
As part of a wider planning application
Planning Potential can prepare Design and Access Statements, either
independently or in association with architects, depending on the
nature of the application. Design and Access Statements are
required for many types of planning application and explain the
design thinking behind the application.
Planning Potential has the skills and expertise to promote clients interests through the Local Plan process by submitting robust representations to Local Planning Authorities. We can also appear at Examinations in Public.
We advise on strategies to respond to enforcement actions, including retrospective applications and appeals.
We have the specialist knowledge to produce Heritage Statements, applications for listed building consent, conservation area consent and schemes within areas of archaeological importance.
Housing Needs Assessments provide a comprehensive assessment of current housing requirements and future projections to enable local authorities to allocate property appropriately or to individuals making housing applications. Planning Potential's housing team has the specialist knowledge to create Housing Needs Assessments on behalf of our clients. The approach has been successfully tested at Public Inquiries.
A Lawful Development Certificate allows applicants to gain formal confirmation from a Local Planning Authority as to whether proposed household building work is lawful and qualifies as a permitted development or if a planning application is necessary. Planning Potential can undertake Lawful Development Certificate applications to Local Councils on our clients behalf.
Planning Potential is able to instruct Counsel through direct access to the Bar. Having worked with a range of barristers we can advise clients on who is best suited to present their case.
We work closely with licensing solicitors Joelson Wilson and Co.
At Planning Potential our specialist Retail and Leisure team is able to support our clients with a range of specialist retail and leisure applications. This ranges from major foodstore developments, to amendments to shop frontages, Tables and Chairs Applications and Licence Applications.
Following planning permission being granted it may be necessary to make amendments to a scheme. Whether a proposed amendment is non-material, minor-material or material will depend on the circumstances of each case as there is no statutory definition of non-material for Local Planning Authorities to use. Planning Potential can support our clients by arguing the case and submitting S73 applications on their behalf.
Open Space Audits are qualitative and quantitative assessments of greenspaces. They look at existing spaces and their uses and make recommendations for future improvements to design and management of spaces. Planning Potential has the specialist knowledge to compile Open Space Audits for our clients.
Planning Potential has a wealth of knowledge and experience in successfully submitting a wide range of planning applications which we are able to prepare, co-ordinate, submit, manage and monitor. Applications range from small householder applications through to major commercial development schemes and can cover change of use applications and applications for new builds and extensions. Furthermore, Planning Potential regularly makes presentations to planning committees and can lead Members' briefings.
We consider from the outset the best approach to take to promote our clients schemes. We provide actionable recommendations based on sound research to ensure the scheme is delivered in a changing landscape.
Whether it is a small application or one requiring a multi-disciplinary team, Planning Potential has the expertise to act as lead consultants, overseeing project management of the planning application process. We are able to bring together and co-ordinate project teams tailored to the individual application which include architects, sustainability, highways and environmental consultants as well as solicitors and communications specialists.
Planning Potential's specialist retail team can undertake Retail Impact Assessments which look at the likely impacts of additional retail floorspace on the vitality and viability of existing town centres and shopping areas. We thoroughly research the local catchment area in order to understand the market position and have a knowledge of technical data that leads the field. We believe we offer clients access to the finest talent in the retail planning sector.
Planning Potential believes in maximising development potential and minimising the obligations required via Section 106 (S106) Agreements.
We can proactively negotiate Heads of Terms for a variety of S106 provisions, using our in-house team to accurately define what is either realistic or acceptable. We co-ordinate the process liaising between various legal representatives to ensure that provisions which are necessary are focussed and within suitable parameters.
We are skilled at applying S106 to unlock developments and to deliver genuinely achievable and cost effective solutions.
Planning Potential has extensive experience in identifying and advising on potential development sites throughout the UK. Our detailed knowledge of the planning system together with a thorough appreciation of client's requirements ensures that we are in a unique position to identify potential development sites for a variety of uses which will not only represent the most commercially viable option but will also be the most acceptable in planning terms.
We provide a variety of services which range from identifying opportunities within strategic target towns and areas, to advising clients on prospective sites that we consider would be of interest.
Planning Potential can undertake site appraisals and feasibility studies to provide an initial written assessment of a site, looking at the development potential, environmental constraints and planning policy.