Once your design has been developed, we take the lead or work closely with a planning consultant to prepare all the information needed for submission. This includes the Design and Access Statement, consultant reports, and any additional forms required by the local authority. A planning fee is payable at this point, which varies depending on the type and scale of your project.

When we submit your application, the council’s validation team will first check that all necessary documents have been provided. We liaise directly with them to resolve any queries and make sure your application is validated quickly. Once validation is confirmed, a case officer is typically assigned within around ten days.

We’ll then open discussions with the planning officer, answer questions, and arrange site visits or meetings if needed. Most applications are determined within eight to thirteen weeks, depending on complexity. Throughout this time, we manage the entire process for you, keeping you updated on progress and any key developments along the way. In some cases, your application may go to the council’s planning committee, where elected councillors decide whether to approve it. Once a decision is made, the council issues a formal decision notice confirming the outcome and listing any planning conditions attached.

Work can then begin once those conditions are discharged, marking the exciting point where your project starts to move from plans and drawings to reality.

We stay closely involved throughout the whole planning process so you can focus on the bigger picture. We coordinate consultants, prepare drawings and reports, and manage all communication with the local authority on your behalf.

We maintain regular contact with the planning officer to keep the dialogue open and ensure any questions are addressed promptly. If challenges arise, we deal with them constructively, talking things through with the planners and advising you clearly on the best route forward.

Should your application be referred to committee, we can represent you and your project directly. Whether by speaking in support ourselves or briefing a planning consultant to do so, we’ll make sure your proposal is presented confidently and clearly. Once the decision is issued, we’ll review it with you, explain any conditions, and help plan the next steps towards getting your project ready for construction.

The planning application stage is where your design is formally assessed against local and national policy. It brings together everything we’ve developed so far - design drawings, written statements, and technical reports - into a single, coordinated submission.

A well-prepared application demonstrates a strong understanding of your site, its planning context, and the relevant policies. It gives the planning officer confidence in the quality and credibility of the proposal, helping to avoid delays, requests for extra information, or objections.

Careful management at this stage also allows us to identify and address potential issues before a decision is made, improving the chances of a successful outcome.

Securing planning approval through a well-managed process provides a solid foundation for the next stage of development, ensuring your project is robust, policy-compliant, and ready to move forward with confidence.