Planning consultant?

Hoploz

I'm thinking perhaps of getting a one-off letter from a local Planning Consultant to swing things and make absolutely sure we get the permission/certificate of lawfulness for a development to our house which I believe should be under PD.

Any idea how much this would cost? Would this be the way a planning consultant would work?

Hoploz

Has anyone here used a Planning Consultant?

chappers

Hoploz wrote: »

Has anyone here used a Planning Consultant?

Yes several times, but without knowing the details it's impossible to say whether one would be necessary on this occasion. If you have applied for a certificate of lawfulness and you are confident it is lawful, then save your money and wait. If it's turned down and you are still convinced you are correct then that's maybe the time to employ the PC.

System

I have worked with a few planning consultants, difficult to put a price on it - I only ever go to them if it's something that offers value for money (one I use charges around £400 per day + VAT + Expenses - another I use less often charges around £150ph + VAT)
For something like a certificate of lawfulness I wouldn't bother, if you get refused then you could get one involved but a detailed planning application is probably not going to be significantly more expensive if you already have drawings

Hoploz

Thanks for the info on charges, that's useful.

I just wondered whether I was on the right lines, I have an architect who has great design ideas but is inexperienced in dealing with Planning dept. I will see what he thinks before going above his head as it were, but wasn't sure what role the planning consultant would take - whether they do the whole job or just tweak plans already designed and write the back-up letter to ensure they go through.

System

Hoploz wrote: »

Thanks for the info on charges, that's useful.

I just wondered whether I was on the right lines, I have an architect who has great design ideas but is inexperienced in dealing with Planning dept. I will see what he thinks before going above his head as it were, but wasn't sure what role the planning consultant would take - whether they do the whole job or just tweak plans already designed and write the back-up letter to ensure they go through.

I use them, and appoint them after discussion with the client, to supplement a planning application, I would never let one loose on my design/drawings - they know the real ins and outs of the legislation rather than having any ability to design.
They will generally act as an adviser and produce their supporting statement to justify the design against policy.
(you will find a lot of them are ex-local authority planning officers, and as such have had design skills and imagination beaten out of them over the years! If you are looking to appoint one, definitely try to get some recommendations, your architect may already have some contacts)

Hoploz

Great info thanks very much

teneighty

I would only bother with a planning consultant on a difficult or contentious development requiring planning permission.

The permitted development rules are really quite straight forward so either the proposal is permitted or it isn't. A planning consultant will not be able to sway the planner's opinion as it is an objective appraisal of the rules.