Planning Cases

One can usually provide reliable answers to these questions once one has visited the site, identified the issues which will determine the outcome, and had an initial discussion with the local planning authority.

The easiest way of mastering a planning application is to divide it into two: between ‘Internals’ and ‘Externalities’. An Internal issue is something within the site that you can control: the building line, height, appearance etc. These are largely aesthetic issues; they are malleable and, subject to what it may cost, are all capable of being changed.

Externalities are things out of the client’s control: they are extraneous to the proposed development but may determine the outcome.

The following are examples:

1. whether your site is in a town, large village, small village, hamlet or open countryside; 
2. whether you are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; 
3. whether the LPA has already met its ‘housing need’ for the area; 
4. whether the area has already designated a particular space for development; 
5. whether the development’s impact on the area’s infrastructure can be accommodated.

As you see, it is pointless spending time and money on ‘Internals’ – however beautiful your proposals are – without first identifying the externalities and reaching a judgment on how these can be satisfied.

By all means, call me to discuss your particular planning problem.