For those of a certain age, Mystic Meg will always be remembered for her attempts at predicting the future, often with limited success—especially when it came to the numbers for the National Lottery draw this week.

With the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the introduction of the new Standard Method, and Angela Rayner’s initiative to boost construction in the UK, it seems the Government has decided to revive the art of future prediction, almost as if dusting off Meg’s crystal ball. The objective is to encourage Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to create their Local Plans in a timely manner. LPAs can receive up to £100,000 each to assist in preparing these Plans.

However, this funding comes with specific conditions, three of which are particularly noteworthy:

1. They must be at the Regulation 18 stage of the plan-making process as of February 14, 2025.
2. They need to anticipate submitting their plan in the current system by December 2026.
3. They must commit to submitting an updated Local Plan timetable (Local Development Scheme or LDS) to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) by March 6, 2025, and provide regular updates on their progress against the established milestones.

So, why are these conditions significant? An LDS is an essential document as it lays out the timeline for producing a Local Plan. We support the Government’s initiative to establish these timelines and hold LPAs accountable for timely plan preparation. This focus includes understanding what can be achieved in the next 22 months.

Take, for example, all the LPAs in Gloucestershire. Following the demise of the Stroud Local Plan in early February, there is (currently) no LPA with a Plan at Regulation 19 or Examination. Therefore, all the Local Plans for the County will be prepared with the new Standard Method housing figure in mind. Another common feature is that none of the LPAs concerned have a 5-year housing land supply.

This situation creates significant potential for sites to be pursued as planning applications without the need for development plan promotion. However, this largely depends on the size of the site and the associated planning issues. Nevertheless, 22 months provides ample time for the preparation, submission, and determination of applications, along with the potential for an appeal, if necessary, before an LPA reaches the Regulation 19 stage.

Understanding the relationship between the LDS and housing land supply is crucial when evaluating a site’s potential and determining the best course of action within the planning system. This knowledge is vital not just for promoters and developers, but also for landowners and their advisers, including agents and solicitors.

At McLoughlin Planning Ltd, we have observed a significant uptick in requests for advice on these matters. While a crystal ball might offer some insights, having a formal Local Development Scheme is far more valuable. Ignoring the opportunities available is not a feasible option, and I strongly encourage you to discuss what the next 22 months might hold with my team—without needing to consult a crystal ball.

McLoughlin Planning has secured planning approval for 13x affordable homes with associated works on land to the north of Down Ampney, near Cirencester at Planning Committee.  The proposed development will deliver much-needed housing on an allocated parcel of land within the Cotswold District Council Local Plan and inside a defined settlement boundary.  The approved scheme is a high-quality, considered and sensitively designed residential development which strives to set a “new standard” for the delivery of affordable housing.  These homes will be among the most energy efficient to be built in the district in recent years, in accordance with the Government and Council’s climate action ambitions.  

Responding positively to local housing need with a future-proof development

The proposed development will provide 100% affordable housing in an area where there is high demand. The housing mix directly responds to an identified need for the provision of smaller family homes in the area and, as a result, a mix of 2x and 3x bedroom homes will be developed.  

The project team worked rigorously through technical analysis and feedback from community engagement exercises, to ensure that the final scheme successfully responded to existing site constraints and opportunities. In addition, the development seeks to set a “new standard” for the delivery of affordable housing, with a fabric-first approach to ensure the project meets its target of being highly sustainable.  

The scheme will also provide the following benefits: 

• A new public open space to the south of the site, providing a mix of green spaces and a children’s play area; 

• A wildflower community meadow to provide a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG); 

• Additional tree planting to the front of the proposed properties and across the public realm. 

Bringing a redundant site back into use through responsive housing development

Furthermore, the site itself was once used for garaging and car parking but is now overgrown and fenced off from public use.  These proposals will enable the sustainable use of a redundant site, in a location that is within the development boundary.    

This policy compliant scheme in a sustainable location will deliver on the Local Plan’s development allocation and provide much-needed new affordable housing in Down Ampney. The aspiration is to set a new standard of build quality for affordable housing, with the development seeking to provide holistic renewable energy solutions to support low energy costs. This visionary development builds on a collaboration agreement between Bromford and Cotswold District Council to facilitate the development of sustainable, affordable homes in the area. 

It was great to work with  Bromford Housing Association on this project, with excellent architectural vision from Ridge and Partners Architects and landscape and ecological input from EDP.  We thank Cotswold District Council, its elected members, and consultees for their thoughtful response to this considered, needed, and well-designed affordable housing scheme which has community at its heart.   

How we can help

We are McLoughlin Planning, and our team has a simple objective: to get results for our clients by providing high quality planning consultancy.  

Our team of chartered town planning consultants deal with a host of interesting planning projects from across southern England and Wales – from strategic promotions and commercial premises to private developments and rural projects.  

We are a friendly and approachable team who care passionately about the built environment, always striving to get the best outcome for our clients and the community.  

If you have a development project which would benefit from expert planning consultancy input, then feel free to contact us through either our “Arrange a Call” tab on our contact page or via the email and telephone number provided below. 

Chris Moore – Director 

E: chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk 

T: 01242 895008 

Project Team

• Bromford Housing Association  

• Ridge and Partners (Architecture and Drainage) 

• EDP (Ecology and Arboriculture)  

Image Source: Ridge and Partners (2024)  

McLoughlin Planning is pleased to have secured planning permission for a replacement dwelling with South Kesteven District Council.

Planning permission had previously been refused for the proposed development, due to the orientation, siting, scale, and design of the proposal when assessed against the character, appearance, and scale of development on the street scene.

Collaborating closely with the architects at K Design and Development, we were able to work through the reasons for refusal and develop a robust case for resubmission to illustrate how the applicant had responded to the Council’s concerns. This included working with the architect to assess local building heights, window/dormer layout and design, and the size/siting of the proposed dwelling in the plot to ensure the proposal did not result in overdevelopment out of character with the wider street scene.

Following further engagement with the case officer during the application process, it was agreed that the proposal had overcome the Council’s previous concerns and that the new development could be supported. By ensuring sufficient information was also submitted supporting the planning application, the number of planning conditions was reduced and allowed the applicant to proceed with development without the need to discharge any pre-commencement planning conditions.

The proposal offers a useful case study on how a refused planning permission can offer helpful information in assessing a landowner’s options for a re-submission or a planning appeal. In our experience, working proactively with the Council through a resubmission can save time and expenses. Therefore, we advise our clients to treat a planning appeal as a ‘last resort’.

In this instance, the applicant’s willingness to reimagine their dream home in response to the Council’s comments allowed us to secure planning permission in a much quicker timeframe than if we had progressed with a planning appeal. We are so pleased our client can now develop a house they can call their own.

We have had several success stories with replacement dwellings across England. If you are exploring a new residential development and would like an initial free consultation call, please contact:

Chris Moore

chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk

01242 895008

We are absolutely delighted to have secured planning approval for the demolition of an existing dwelling and its replacement with 5x 3, 4 and 5 bed detached homes and associated amenity space, including a community orchard. This project will regenerate an unsightly and dilapidated plot and bring much-needed family homes to the area.  

Developments in open countryside

On the face of it, a challenging project.  The site is situated outside the settlement boundary, in open countryside, in the Cotswolds National Landscape (AONB), in close proximity to several Grade II Listed buildings and in a Conservation Area.  But as the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply (2.78 year supply as of April 2024), the ‘tilted balance’ is engaged. This means that planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. 

Weighing up the planning balance on a challenging development plot

Given the sensitivities on site, our team engaged in a dialogue with the Council about the site and proposals early on with a pre-application meeting.  This fed into the final design and the associated planning application where we and the wider project team successfully highlighted the nuances of the project and the wider benefits it would bring.  

These included:  

Housing need: The proposal would provide a net increase of 4 dwellings which would contribute positively towards the council’s housing supply deficit and respond to an identified need for this type of housing.  

Economic benefits: There would be a short-term benefit to the rural economy during the construction period. 

Landscape impact: The Council agreed that the proposals would greatly improve the visual impact of the site within the National Landscape areas and that the scheme’s sensitive design responded well to the wider context of the site, both current and historic.   

Open countryside: Whilst local policy strictly controls development in this type of location, as the scheme sought to demolish an existing dwelling, a precedent for housing had been established.  Furthermore, the site had been allocated for new housing in the local plan.  

Outside the development boundary: The site sits on the edge of a village settlement and despite its technically ‘rural’ location, it benefits from proximity to a good bus service and is within safe walking distance of local amenities.  

Effective use of land: Not only do the proposals present an effective use of brownfield land, but given the sensitive nature of the site, a lower housing density was proposed to allow for its proximity to listed buildings and existing boundary treatments, including several established trees.   

Green Infrastructure: The lower housing density on site meant that the proposals were able to far exceed the 20% requirement for the provision of Green Infrastructure, which includes a large orchard.  

Conservation area:  The proposal involves the replacement of the existing dwelling on the site with a development of five detached ‘estate’ type cottages, designed to emulate the character of the surrounding area. The Conservation Officer agreed that the design was well-conceived and that the introduction of the orchard would help to restore the historic appearance of agricultural land across the area.  

Residential amenity: It was felt that the proposals would have minimal impact on residential amenity and would not result in issues of highway safety. 

Archaeology: The site has the potential to be archaeologically sensitive.  Given the scale of the development and the anticipated archaeological potential, we successfully established that any archaeological concerns could be successfully mitigated via condition and with an appropriate action plan in place.   

Making the case for new homes in a sustainable location

The council agreed that the benefits of allowing the proposed development would outweigh the harm that may otherwise be caused by allowing residential development in the open countryside. We are so pleased that this site can now realise its full potential, replacing a dilapidated building with 5x beautiful family homes and an orchard, improving the views across the AONB and bringing much-needed housing to the area.  

How our planning consultants can help your development project

This project is a prime example of the crucial role planning consultants play in giving a development proposal its best chance of success.  Application decisions are all a matter of planning balance – balancing the harm against the benefits with reference to adopted policy. Our role is to tease out the benefits of your proposal, ensure the necessary technical supporting reports and plans are provided and to present the proposal holistically to the LPA, setting out why it should be granted permission in the round. We work hard to establish contact with planning officers and build relationships, rather than taking an adversarial approach, which can often do more harm than good. 

Key contact for this project

Chris Fleming – Director  

E:  chris.fleming@mplanning.co.uk 

T: 01242895008 

Project team  

• Portus and Whitton (Landscape Architects)  
• Tyack Architects Ltd (Architects)  
• Rappor (Drainage) 
• EDP (Heritage, Arboriculture, Ecology and Archaeology)  

Image source: Tyack Architects (2024)  

About us

We are McLoughlin Planning and our team have a simple objective: to get results for our clients by providing high quality planning consultancy. 

Our reputation for integrity, innovation and intelligence means we are a growing business, thriving on personal recommendations from our loyal clients and trusted industry colleagues. Our team of chartered town planning consultants deal with a host of interesting planning projects from across southern England and Wales – from strategic promotions and commercial premises to private developments and rural projects. 

We are a friendly and approachable team who care passionately about the built environment, always striving to get the best outcome for our clients and the community. 

Contact us to see how we can best assist you with your development aspirations and view our full ‘About Us’ page to view which of our planning consultants best fit your needs.

A significant landmark for the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan is about to be reached, and this has major implications for all of those with an interest in plan-making and seeking site allocations. The new Local Plan is being prepared to cover Stratford on Avon and Warwick Districts. 
 
Please take the time to have a look at this article and the links provided to the Committee Papers and the substantial technical evidence base which supports the Plan. 2025 was already going to be a critical year for planning and we are advising several parties on Plans like this.

The forthcoming Joint Cabinet Committee papers have now been released before the 12 December Committee date and this article seeks to look at some of the critical issues. 

Why is the Preferred Option so important? 

These papers are highly significant as they give us the first opportunity to understand what the SWLP is proposing. Officers are seeking member authorisation to move forward with the next stage of consultation on the document’s Preferred Option version in the new year. 

We have an established track record of promoting development sites of all sizes through the local plan system, and events like this are important landmarks for the development industry. We can use our skills and expertise to make the most of the opportunity consultations to secure a site allocation for development. 

The Housing Target 

The Plan does not use the current standard method calculation; instead, it uses the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) outcomes, commissioned in early 2024. This sets out the following targets: 

• Stratford on Avon DC – 868 d/pa
• Warwick DC – 811 d/pa

This equates to 41,975 homes over a 25-year plan period. 

The impending revisions to the NPPF have influenced the SWLP. The Preferred Option has been built with flexibility to accommodate a higher Proposed Standard Method Figure. 

Green Belt 

Historically, Stratford on Avon DC has been against green belt release, whereas the current Warwick Local Plan has released sites from the green belt for development. Given the number of houses being proposed in the two districts and the need for a sustainable development strategy, this has led to a number of greenfield green belt sites being released for development. Supporting the SWLP is an extensive evidence base, including a Green Belt review. 

Development Strategy 

The Preferred Option does not provide the granular details of a settlement hierarchy or details of which settlements will have a settlement boundary. This will be left for future work informing the evolution of the Reg 19 Version, to be consulted on in December 2025. 

That said, the document does identify 24 Strategic Growth locations across the Plan area, including green belt and non-green belt locations. Crucially, it is expected that only some of the locations will be allocated for development because the amount of land in these areas exceeds the housing and employment requirements for the SWLP. 

Draft Policy Direction 3 clearly states that the SWLP will review the settlement hierarchy. It will also examine thresholds for determining settlement boundaries and provide an interesting policy tool for setting a threshold for small-scale housing development at locations adjacent to those proposed settlement boundaries. 

Timetable 

As we advance, the proposed timetable is as follows: 

• January 2025 – Regulation 18 Preferred Option consultation; 
• December 2025 – Regulation 19 Consultation; 
• September 2026 – Submission of the Plan for Examination; 
• October 2026 to March 2027 – Examination; 
• June 2027 – Proposed Modifications; 
• December 2027 – Adoption. 

Concluding Thoughts 

The Preferred Option sets out several interesting points about levels development levels and directions for growth. Encouragingly, greenfield and green belt development are clearly on the agenda, which is welcomed and represents a clear recognition by the Councils that such development is critical to meet its housing and employment needs. In the future, the forthcoming Preferred Options consultation provides an essential first opportunity to promote your interests and help shape and inform emerging SWLP policy. 2025 was already going to be a critical year for planning and we are advising several parties on Plans like this. 
 
The SWLP covers a large area and governs development at both ends of the spectrum. If you want to understand more about what this means for you and what your interests are, please get in touch. 

Key contact for this project

Nathan McLoughlin – Managing Director  

E:  nathan.mcloughlin@mplanning.co.uk  

T: 01242 895128 

Resources

SWLP Evidence Homepage

Joint Committee Papers

We are delighted to confirm that McLoughlin Planning was instrumental in obtaining planning permission for the change of use of a Bed & Breakfast (Use Class C1) into a new dwelling (Use Class C3).    

Securing a residential use in a town centre location

The proposed change of use raised a number of key planning considerations which had to be carefully navigated, as the 18th century property is situated in a Conservation Area and within the Cotswold National Landscape.   

But the main planning issue was related to the Principle of Development, given the property’s location in Stow’s defined town centre. This area is zoned for commercial uses, meaning new residential development is not usually supported. Despite this constraint, McLoughlin Planning was able to persuade Cotswold District Council that in this case, a residential use in the town centre was appropriate.  

Our pragmatic approach, nuanced analysis of policy and site context, and the presentation of a strong fall-back position secured the planning approval for this change of use and the further evolution of this historic building, which will now become a family home.  

Moving towards a mixed-use High Street?

Councils tend to have policies prohibiting new dwellings in town centre locations, mainly to ensure the ‘vitality and viability’ of the High Street is maintained. However, applications like this demonstrate it is possible to obtain permission for a dwelling in commercial centres. As our High Streets evolve, there is increasing recognition that the introduction of modest amounts of residential uses within town centres can contribute to, rather than diminish, the activity in town centres.  

How we can help

Do you own or are you interested in purchasing commercial property in a town centre with a view to changing its use to residential? If so, then please contact us through either our “Arrange a Call” tab on our contact page or via the email and telephone number provided below. 

Joe Seymour – Associate Director 

E: joe.seymour@mplanning.co.uk 

T: 01242895008 

Image source: Knight Frank Estate Agency

We are delighted that following our involvement, planning permission has been secured for a garage conversion to enlarge the habitable living space of a mews house in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), despite a historic refusal on site for a similar scheme. The result of our recent planning approval will be the creation of a more spacious family home in a central and sustainable location, whilst also future proofing the building through important renovation works.

When a second opinion counts in planning

Our team was initially approached to assist following a planning refusal by RBKC for a similar scheme.  The key concerns raised by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) related to:

• The impact of the proposed design on the conservation area;
• Loss of car parking through the garage conversion and the subsequent additional on-street parking pressures.

As the property was centrally located in London, existing data advised us that surrounding streets were already heavily subscribed with parking permits and therefore could not afford the additional pressures. Furthermore, whilst garage conversions can, in some instances, be undertaken without the need for planning permission, a historic planning condition on the Mews property prevented the occupiers from benefiting from this opportunity.

Following a detailed review of the project, the previous refusal, the site’s context, and the relevant policies in the new Local Plan, we felt that there would be merit in revisiting the scheme and prepared a planning strategy for moving the project forward.

Turning a planning refusal into an approval – collaboration is key

Given the sensitive nature of the site, we worked closely with the team at Haine & Co Architects, to ensure that the revised design responded to the concerns raised in the previous planning refusal. The updated design sought to create a development which would be architecturally sympathetic to the age and character of the host building- reinforcing the original integrity of the site and its environs which was praised in the Officer’s Report.  Furthermore, the additional space at the property would allow for a more comfortable living space and would make best use of the existing footprint.

Regarding the parking issues, we prepared and presented a case to the LPA that a Section 106 legal agreement could be used to make the development “car-free”, given the site’s highly sustainable location. This would assuage concerns over additional pressures to on-street parking in the vicinity.

Following submission of the application, we liaised regularly with the case officer, ensuring they had everything they needed to make a timely determination. Upon completion of the legal agreement, the Council acknowledged that the previous reasons for refusal had been overcome and that Planning Permission could now be granted.

The importance of a strategic planning approach  

The above case is a useful reminder that a planning refusal does not necessarily mean that your development aspirations must come to a halt. Indeed, a refusal can help your proposals evolve, especially when combined with a strategic planning approach.

If you have recently had a planning refusal and would like a member of our team to review your case and explore whether there is a way forward to secure planning approval for your project, then please contact us through either our “Arrange a Call” tab on our contact page or via the email and telephone number provided below:

Chris Moore – Director

T: 01242895008

E: chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk

McLoughlin Planning has successfully obtained planning permission to demolish an existing dwelling and construct a larger replacement dwelling in the Tewkesbury Borough.  The site’s location within the Cotswolds National Landscape (formerly the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and particularly the Gloucester-Cheltenham Green Belt presented significant challenges to achieving the client brief. In partnership with Coombes Everitt Architects and Willder Ecology –we secured the demolition of a dilapidated dwelling dating from the 1920s, and the construction of a larger contemporary replacement dwelling.

Defining the term ‘materially larger’ in the Green Belt?  A holistic comparison can be key

Councils often provide inconsistent guidance or, more challenging still, no guidance at all in terms of the size of a replacement building one is allowed to construct in the Green Belt. The key planning policy test for this application was that the new dwelling could not be “materially larger” than the existing dwelling, which inevitably raised the question: what is meant by this subjective term?

McLoughlin Planning successfully negotiated with the case officer to agree that the proposed dwelling was not materially larger, thus allowing planning permission to be granted. One of the key lessons learnt from this project is that it is not simply a question of comparing the existing and proposed floor areas. The Council will also take into consideration the differences in height, footprint, and volume, in addition to floor area, when deciding whether a replacement building is “materially larger”. Providing a holistic comparison can be the difference between approval and refusal.

I own a property in the Green Belt – how can I obtain planning permission for my project?

We are absolutely delighted with the positive outcome on this project, which will turn an almost unusable dwelling into a well-designed home.  The team at McLoughlin Planning are very experienced in the nuances surrounding these types of development projects and navigating the complexities of challenging land designations.   If you have a project that might benefit from our expertise, then get in contact with one of our planning consultants to find out how we can best assist you.

Joe Seymour – Associate Director

E: joe.seymour@mplanning.co.uk

T: 01242895008

Image source: Coombes: Everitt Architects (2024)

Project Team:

McLoughlin Planning (Planning consultants)

Coombes Everitt Architects (Architects)

Willder Ecology (Ecologist)

Now that the revisions to the NPPF have been out for several weeks, we can see how the proposed changes are starting to impact the planning system and the likely consequences for policy-making and decision-making. This article reports on our experiences and thoughts to date and is based on the changes going through as proposed.

Policy Making – revisions to the Standard Method and what this means for housing provision

Turning to policy making, the most crucial point is the revisions to the Standard Method, which sees dramatic increases in housing numbers across the Country. We are working in several LPAs with plans currently being examined, with housing targets of more than 200 homes lower than the Revised Standard Method figure (RSM). The immediate consequence is that it will lead to plans needing to be updated at the point of adoption and subject to immediate review. This opens the door to speculative development applications coming forward, with few options available to LPAs to defend their position.

For those LPAs in the formative stages of Plan making, where they have the opportunity to accommodate those changes, from our discussions with Policy Managers, whilst using the RSM figure is mandatory, the requirement to achieve the RSM figure is more flexible. There is a genuine concern in some LPAs about whether there are simply enough sites available in SHLAAs to meet an RSM requirement. This creates an opportunity for more sites to come forward.

Why is this important? Simply put, policy is everything; it is the tool by which planning decisions are made, and the reforms to the NPPF impact how current policy tools are used. This places a significant emphasis on understanding the strategy implications of the changes as much as the policy tools themselves. We have extensive experience in guiding our clients through the maze of strategy decisions which have to be made on development projects, and the revisions have increased the complexity of this maze and, at the same time, opened up new opportunities. Our team can help you make the most of these opportunities.

Reforming the Green Belt? Welcome to the Grey Belt

The proposed Green Belt reforms are massive as it’s the first time Government Policy has codified when and how Green Belt land should be released for development. These include:

•  Re-writing of the very special circumstances test to allow for a 5-year housing land supply to be used as a VSC justification.
•  Introducing the Grey Belt  – this is not just brownfield land, but also land that does not contribute to the Green Belt’s overall purposes in the first place.

Why is this important?

These reforms directly target brownfield land and peripheral sites on the edge of towns and villages within the Green Belt, for development. Whereas previously, such sites were highly protected by the Green Belt policy, it now allows for a more nuanced approach to assessing their contribution and whether they should be developed. For example, will the loss of a site 100 metres into a Green Belt which is several kilometres in area have a material impact on the openness of the Green Belt? In principle and under the reforms, arguably not. Whereas currently, such a loss would be unacceptable.

Concluding thoughts for the development community

Planning reform presents a significant opportunity for the development community to deliver sites that may have been thwarted by previous government policy. What is clear is that the team at McLoughlin Planning can use our extensive strategy experience to examine all the options available to you, guide you through the process and enable you to realise the development potential of your site, that may not have previously existed.

We are in the process of responding to the latest NPPF consultation, but what with recent Written Ministerial Statements and a lot of chatter surrounding planning reform it is hard to identify what the practical implications may be.

If you want to know how the latest proposals may impact your development aspirations moving forward, don’t hesitate to contact us via: info@mplanning.co.uk

Nathan McLoughlin – Managing Director

Resources:

Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system

WMS made on 30 July 2024

McLoughlin Planning is pleased to have assisted in securing a householder Planning Permission for extensions and alterations to a family home in Camden, London.

Previous experience works in our favour for London build extensions

McLoughlin Planning was approached after the submission of a householder planning application with the London Borough of Camden. The architecture firm, Simon Miller Architects, who we worked with on this project, received correspondence from the assigned case officer, who raised concerns about elements of the proposal to extend the family home and wanted to provide additional space to the rear and convert a ground floor garage to provide an additional internal living space.

New planning Administration Approach? We are here to help!

Due to a recent change to Camden’s internal planning application management policy, applicants are being advised that they will get one opportunity to submit corrections (if the Camden Council considers a route forward can be agreed) before a decision is issued. Negotiations and contact with CamdenCouncil’s planning officers are also limited because of this new policy. Therefore, the scope for engagement and agreeing on a way forward is heavily constrained.

Let’s go back to the beginning – reviewing existing plans and sourcing relevant policies equals planning permission granted!

Working from the email feedback provided, we reviewed it against the relevant Local Plan policies and provided the architect with feedback on how to amend the proposal and a supporting letter offering further policy justification and feedback to the planning officer to assist in revisiting the plans. Following the submission of this additional information, we then helped the architect and applicant with further correspondence with the Council and a review of proposed draft planning conditions provided by the planning officer before the Decision Notice was issued.

By assisting through the later part of the management of the application, we are pleased that a positive outcome could be reached and Planning Permission granted.

Seek planning advice for a smooth sail application process

The above application is a reminder that seeking planning advice before submission can help to manage the need for potential amendments, particularly where Local Planning Authorities are adopting a “no negotiation” or “limited submitted amendments” policy. However, our flexible working approach means that should you need input or advice from one of our planning professionals during your planning application, then please do not hesitate to contact us below:

Chris Moore – Director

T: 01242895008

E: chris.moore@mplanning.co.uk