The grant of planning permission is the key to unlocking the value of assets, or turning ideas in to reality. Planning permission can be expressly granted by the Local Planning Authority through full planning applications or an outline planning application followed by a reserved matters application. Under either method the grant of planning permission will be subject to a number of planning conditions (link to planning conditions post).
The express grant of planning permission from the Local Planning Authority or the Secretary of State will be subject to planning conditions. The conditions often require that information must be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority before any development can commence on site. The time required to do this can often add unexpected long delays to the development program.
Where it can be demonstrated that proposed development complies with legislation titled the General Permitted Development Order planning permission is automatically granted under the Town and Country Planning Act. The rights apply to a wide range of land and property including residential, commercial and agricultural.
Where it can be proven that an existing development has existed for more than four years or a material change of use has taken place for a period of more than 10 years it is possible to apply for a grant of a certificate of lawfulness. A positive certificate provided by the Local Planning Authority will confirm that the development is immune from enforcement action.
Actions by the local planning authorities such as the refusal of planning permission, the issuing of enforcement notices or the failure to determine a planning application can be appealed to the Planning Inspectorate for an independent decision.
Enforcement action may be commenced by a Local Planning Authority where they believe there has been unauthorised development such as the construction of a building, the change of use of land or property or other engineering operations such as ground modelling.
Development Strategy
Ambitious proposals require a strategy for development whether they are large or small scale. The correct path to achieve the desired outcome is not always obvious or easy to follow. Our specialist knowledge and experience enables us to understand your aims and provide the most effective route to realise your development ambitions in a timely manner.
The assessment of financial viability of proposed development is often an essential component in the design, assessment and determination of applications. Our viability appraisals are carried out in accordance with appropriate recognised methodology which has developed through the process of precedents in planning appeals, judicial decisions and commercial experience. Our appraisals include the relevant up to date and local market information as well as industry wide recognised publications to produce robust conclusions that can be defended under cross-examination at Appeal if necessary.
A well-researched and robust business plan is essential to developing any new business enterprise. Plans produced by ourselves have been used to secure bank funding, grant funding and planning permission. Our plans clearly identify and understand the market that the business is targeting, where the product fits in the market and how the business will promote the product to capture sales.