I am a fully qualified Chartered Town Planner and a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. With an Honours Degree and Diploma in Town Planning from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, I have worked for a number of local planning authorities and private sector Consultants. My education and past employment is set out below:

To see some of my case studies, click here

The business provides advice on all aspects of town planning, rural and urban. Whether you want to extend your existing home or are planning a major housing development, I can help. I have a particular specialisation in residential development, though other sectors of work covered include business/commercial, retail, industrial, leisure and tourism etc. Advice can also be provided for development in sensitive locations such as conservation areas, the open countryside and the Green Belt.

Some examples of the type of work where advice can be provided include:

Pre-application advice – contact/discussions with client and local planning authority to assess the merits of a proposal prior to the submission of a formal planning application.

Development Appraisals/Feasibility – A range of appraisals can be provided from low cost verbal appraisals based on a short desk top assessment through to detailed reports based on the scrutiny of planning policies and discussions with local planning authorities. Whichever route is chosen, the client is provided with a good assessment of whether there plans are likely to gain planning permission.

Development Plan Representations – Promoting a site for development by seeking an allocation in a Development Plan Document is one method of maximising the potential of a site. This is carried out by liaising with the Client; negotiating with the local planning authority; and providing the relevant reports and documentation.

Planning Applications – Submission and monitoring of planning application through to decision on behalf of the client.

Planning Appeals – If a Council refuses planning permission or declines to determine a planning application, there is a right of appeal. The submission and monitoring of planning/enforcement appeals through to decision can be carried out.

Conservation Area Consents – Advice on demolition and new development in conservation areas plus submission of conservation area consent applications.

Permitted Development Rights – Advice on smaller developments which may not require planning permission.

Government Planning Policy Advice – General advice on the Government’s current and emerging planning policies.
Planning Procedures – Advice on general procedural issues for planning applications/appeals etc.

General Planning Law – Points of law and recent case law can be commented upon and opinions provided on various planning and development issues.

The current planning system in England is going through major change. Local Plans, Structure Plans and Regional Planning Guidance are being replaced by Local Development Frameworks and Regional Spatial Strategies. Developers, house builders, land owners and other interested parties need to be aware of these changes as well as evolving Government planning policy.

The planning advice provided is always realistic and based on up-to-date planning policies. The philosophy of the business is not to give false hope or inflated aspirations to clients, just to secure work and a future appeal. Honest, realistic advice is always given based on what it is felt can be sensibly secured.

Whilst Northumberland based, any work will be considered in the UK.

Clients are clearly feeling the ‘pinch’ as a result of the ‘credit crunch’ in respect of limited funding and worries about future housing sales. Working from home as a sole practitioner, with low overheads, a professional service can be provided at very competitive rates. Various payment methods considered including installments and ‘no win, no fee’.

Fees are generally calculated on a time charge basis and will depend on the complexity of the work. Generally, a quotation can always be provided before the work is carried out.

For further information and advice, please contact: