Planning Applications
A strong planning application is your best chance of approval. We help you get it right.
Most refusals happen because applications are unclear, incomplete or fail to address key policies. Our chartered planning consultants prepare robust, policy-led applications that maximise your chances of approval. Whether you’re proposing an extension, outbuilding, conversion or new dwelling, we handle the entire process with precision and care.
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Why Appeal?
A well-prepared application avoids delays, reduces risk and gives you the best possible chance of approval.
Planning officers must assess your proposal against national and local policies, design principles, amenity considerations and technical constraints. Submitting a well-prepared application shows compliance clearly and convincingly.
We prepare professionally presented applications supported by strong planning arguments, accurate drawings and the technical detail your local authority expects. This reduces the risk of delays, negotiations, or refusal — and helps your project move forward smoothly.
How Our Application Process Works
A clear process designed to give your project the best chance of approval.
1. Feasibility & Planning Advice
We start by assessing your proposal, site, constraints and planning history. You’ll receive clear advice on what is likely to be approved, what needs to be refined, and any risks to be aware of.
If we believe your project has a strong chance of success, we outline next steps and provide a fixed-fee quote.
2. Drawings & Design Development
We work with you (and your architect, if you have one) to prepare accurate drawings that meet local and national policy requirements.
We consider appearance, scale, amenity impacts, overlooking, daylight, highways and all other factors that influence an officer’s decision.
3. Planning Statement & Evidence
This is where applications succeed or fail.
We prepare a comprehensive Planning Statement that explains why your proposal should be approved, referencing:
- local and national policies
- design and heritage considerations
- amenity impacts
- technical constraints
- case law and precedents
Our statements are clear, evidence-based and written specifically for planning officers.
4. Submission & Management
We submit your application, monitor its progress, respond to any questions from the council and manage the entire process through to a decision.
If revisions or clarifications are needed, we handle them promptly and professionally.
You stay updated at every stage — no stress, no uncertainty.
Why Choose Us?
We specialise in planning applications — and we secure approvals for hundreds of projects every year.
We are a leading planning consultancy firms with experience in applications, design, policy and development. Our chartered planning consultants prepare highly detailed applications supported by strong planning arguments that address every issue the council will consider.
We manage the entire process — reviewing your plans, preparing policy-led statements, liaising with the planning officer and keeping your case moving quickly.
Our fees are fixed and transparent, and your initial assessment is completely free.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide pre-application advice?
Yes, if you are thinking of a development (an extension to your home or a property development like a shop/office conversion or new-build house), contact us for advice on whether your proposal is likely to get planning permission.
We can look in detail at your proposal, use satellite imagery to assess the site and surrounding area (or, for an additional fee, visit the site itself), look into similar local planning applications and research local planning policies.
Do you submit pre-applications to councils?
Making a pre-application submission to your local council is a good way to work out if you are likely to get permission (though sometimes pre-applications are not the best way to go).
We can prepare a pre-application submission (including a Supporting Statement), liaise with the case officer assigned to the case and attend a site visit or face-to-face meeting at the council offices.
How do I take advantage of householder permitted development rights?
If you want to extend your home or build an outbuilding, you don’t necessarily need full planning permission – you can take advantage of permitted development rights. PD rights allow you to extend to the rear and at roof level (through a hip-to-gable roof extension and a dormer), or to build a porch or an outbuilding.
We also have experience of larger home extensions (extensions to a depth of 6m or 8m) and upwards extensions to add whole extra floors to houses.
The government’s Interactive House and Technical Guidance provide useful advice on the permitted development rights available to homeowners.
Martin Gaine’s book How to Get Planning Permission: An Insider’s Secrets also goes into detail about how to make the most of permitted development rights, with insider tips and tricks, and advice on how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Can you help with planning applications for homeowner extensions?
If your house does not have permitted development rights or what you want to build doesn’t meet the permitted development requirements, you can still apply for full planning permission.
We can help with advice, a Supporting Statement and in submitting and managing your planning application.
What are Class MA (commerical-to-residential) permitted development rights?
Class MA allows the conversion of commercial premises in Use Class E into flats and houses. Check out our blog post about Class E here.
Although you don’t need full planning permission, you do need to apply for prior approval and there are requirements that you must meet. We have a great deal of experience with Class MA applications – contact us for more information.
What other permitted development rights are useful to property developers?
There are a number of other permitted development rights that are of interest to property developers who want to avoid having to make a full planning application. There are permitted development rights to extend shops and other commercial premises.
There are also rights to convert empty space above shops into flats (Class G), convert houses and flats into HMOs (Class L) and convert barns into homes (Class Q). There are also rights to add extra floors to buildings to provide new flats (Part 20).
Can you help with commercial planning applications?
Can you help discharge planning conditions?
When planning permission is granted, it is usually subject to various conditions. Sometimes, you are required to discharge conditions before you can start work. This requires a new application (a ‘discharge of condition’ application, also known as an ‘approval of details’ application). We can assist with putting together and submitting such an application.
Some conditions are simply unfair and should never have been imposed on your grant of planning permission. We can appeal those conditions and submit a new application to have them removed. We frequently apply to remove conditions that remove permitted development rights from a house – see our article on conditions removing permitted development rights here.
Need planning advice?
Get a free expert assessment.
Fill in the form below to receive our assessment on your chances of success. You will also receive a personalised fixed-fee quote for the preparation, submission and management of your appeal.
If you prefer to email, we can be reached at info@just-planning.co.uk.