Our team can advise individuals and developers upon acquiring land on the appropriate choice of development. This advice can then be used to develop a scheme that meets both the needs of the developer and meets the requirements of the Local Planning Authority. Further to this the advice can then guide architects and other consultants to ensure that an appropriate development is submitted for determination.

The largest part of our teams activities is the preparation, co-ordination and submission of planning applications.

Between our two offices we have vast knowledge of planning policy and procedure across the Yorkshire Region, including York, Leeds, Bradford, Hambleton, Kirklees, Doncaster, Calderdale, Harrogate, Selby and East Riding.

By submitting a large number of applications in these areas we have an indepth knowledge of the area and a good working relationship with officers.

Further to this we deal with applications across the country including Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, North Yorkshire, Wigan, Staffordshire, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Dorset, East Rising, Surrey, Durham, Northumberland National Park, Dumfries, Galloway.

The service we offer includes initial advice on the suitability of a scheme, input in the design and co-ordination and appointment of any necessary expert advice, i.e. architects, ecologists, highways consultants and drainage consultants.

Upon completion of all the requisite plans and supporting statements we will co-ordinate the submission of the application, including the preparation of a supporting statement assessing the scheme against local and national policy, completion of the application forms and inclusion of all necessary documents. Once the application is submitted we will liaise and meet with the planning officers as necessary and attend any necessary planning committee meetings. Our team has submitted an extensive range of applications including full applications, outline/reserved matters, application changes of use, Conservation Area Consent, Listed Building consent, the amendment/removal of conditions and Certificates of lawful use. Further details of these can be seen at our recent casework section.

The planning process does allow for interested parties to make representations on planning applications which may affect them. Representations to a planning application must be considered to constitute a 'material consideration' in order to be considered in the determination of the planning application. We have acted for individuals, parish councils, residents associations and organisations in objecting to developments which are considered to have an adverse effect on the locality. These objections include applications for extensions to residential properties and new dwellings, objections against large commercial developments including waste recycling plants and large scale housing estates.

10% of all planning applications are determined by elected members of a planning committee. This process permits speaking rights for both the applicant and interested parties. Our team has extensive experience in presenting a case to planning committee either promoting a scheme or on behalf of local residents/village societies/parish councils to oppose planning applications which have adverse effects on the locality.

Should a planning application be refused consent, an applicant has a right to appeal to the Secretary of State. These appeals can take three forms, written representations, informal hearings and public inquiries.

Our team can provide helpful advice on which of the options best suits the needs of the appellant and carry out the necessary work to make the appeal. Our team can provide a variety of experience including written representation, appearance at informal hearings and appearing as expert witnesses at public inquiry.

Some development may be carried out without planning consent being granted or may be carried out without complying with the approval or its conditions. In these circumstances the enforcement department of a Local Planning Authority have powers to cease work and ultimately remove development that does not have consent. Our team can advise on unlawful developments and act on behalf of parties who have had enforcement action served on them. This includes liaising with the Local Planning Authority, making retrospective planning applications to regularise unlawful development or making an appeal against enforcement action.

The Government's revised approach to the development plan requires all Local Authorities to produce a Local Development Framework (LDF) a document which provides a strategic approach to land allocation and decision making. Our work on LDF representations involves making critical representations on land and promoting sites through the process, ultimately including representation at an Independent Inspection of the plan.

We are actively promoting a number of sites through this process and have formed a close working partnership with a number of Local Authorities.

Our team has extensive experience in leading teams of consultants through the design and application process to ensure that an application is delivered to an approved timescale and all guidance brought together in a comprehensive manner.

Our team has experience in developing the appropriate specialist documents to support planning applications, including Retail Impact Assessments, Flood Risk Assessments (including sequential and exceptional tests), sequential tests for office and retail development and Design and Access statements.