Planning

Planning can feel complex, but you do not have to tackle it alone. Our planning consultants give you clear, practical advice to move your project forward.

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Planning Advice That Drives Your Project

We support clients with planning applications, planning appeals, planning permission, and wider town planning matters across the UK.

Our planning consultants guide you through every stage, from pre application planning advice to final decision. We manage the process carefully, explain what matters, and help you move ahead with clarity.

Planning decisions rarely stand alone. They influence design, delivery, and long term value. That is why we take a wider view from the outset.

We work closely with specialists across Berrys to support your project from every angle. You get joined up thinking, clear advice, and honest guidance throughout.

We support residential, commercial, agricultural, leisure, and energy projects. Whether your project is straightforward or more complex, we are here to help.

Our Planning Services

We can help with:

- – Pre-planning advice
- – Planning applications
- – Planning appeals
- – Sitewide planning strategy
- – Permitted development rights
- – Local plan call for sites
- – Wider town planning support
- – Stakeholder engagement
- – Guidance on working with the Local Planning Authority

Speak To Our Planning Team

Our planning consultants are ready to help with your project. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Class Q And Class R Planning Appeals Town Planning Getting A Site Allocated Planning Applications

Our Experts

Location

Shrewsbury

Kettering

Towcester

Hereford

Stuart Thomas

Chief Executive Officer

Call: 07747 474340

PJ Triplow

Head of Planning

Call: 07741 310312

Nick Williams

Partner and Planning Consultant

Call: 07710 691235

Amy Henson

Principal Planning Consultant

Call: 07799 902949

Kirsten Sloth-Nielsen

Principal Planning Consultant

Call: 07788 289615

Lauren May

Senior Planning Consultant

Call: 07775 925357

Mike Lloyd

Senior Planning Consultant

Call: 07469 857140

Alex Bruce

Senior Planning Consultant

Call: 07775 925356

Freya Carroll

Senior Planning Consultant

Call: 07384 467425

Graham Clark

Senior Planning Consultant

Call: 07469 545650

Immy Platt

Planning Consultant

Call: 07918 294803

James Lunn

Graduate Planning Consultant

Call: 07741 313576

Caitlin Westwood

Apprentice Planning Consultant

Call: 07741 080682

Nuria Smith

Head of Business Support

Call: 07570 353241

Karen Morris

Business Support Co-Ordinator

Call: 01743 267065

Marks and Spencer Foodhall.

Development Of A New School in Wisbech.

Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre.

K9 Anytime Expansion.

Change Of Use For Commercial Building

Wappenshall Sustainable Urban Extension, Telford.

Load More +

Planning Permission Secured For Shrewsbury Business Park Office Development.

Sharnbrook Commercial Development

HS2 – Britain’s Biggest Build.

Conversion Of Former Commercial Building.

The Farm House.

Harper Adams University – Institute of Animal Diagnostics and Health Facility.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Bearswood Farm.

Hamiltons Leisure.

Outline Planning Permission Secured for 80 Homes in Telford.

7 Homes in Castle Cary, Somerset.

Premises License For Alcohol Consumption Secured for Historic England’s Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings Café, Shop and Dye House.

King’s Lynn Health Hub.

Bowbrook Court.

Planning Permission Secured For Class Q Barn Conversion in Cambridgeshire.

Redevelopment Of A Derelict Site At Widemarsh Common To Provide A Six Unit Apartment Block.

Planning Permission Secured For Corner Plot Dwelling In Staffordshire.

Pound Lane.

Redevelopment Of 6 Ebenezer Place.

Retrospective Change Of Use Of An Agricultural Holding To A Livery Yard.

Planning Permission Secured For Former St Faith’s Church, Newton.

Second Agricultural Workers Dwelling Approved On Farm In Rural Leicestershire.

Site Promotion To Remove Green Belt Designation.

Mosewick Farm.

Planning Permission Received For A Self-Build Dwelling Adjoining A Settlement Boundary.

New Build Homes In A Conservation Area.

Urban Extension For 210 Homes In Essex Town.

Ryelands Farm.

Village Residential Scheme, Cranford.

Village Residential Scheme, Brigstock.

Caravan Park Extension.

Conversion And Restoration Of Run Down, Grade II Listed Farm Buildings.

Permission Granted – Cross Boundary Planning Application For Change of Use.

Redevelopment of Brook Vessons Farm.

Reuse Of Old Mushroom Farm.

Affordable Home On A Single Plot Exception Site.

Town Centre Flats Approved At Committee.

Conversion Of A Grade II Listed Barn.

Change Of Use From An Agricultural Workers Dwelling To A Dwelling House.

Outline Planning Application For One Dwelling.

51 Queensgate Terrace, London SW7 5PL.

Town planning, or town and country planning, manages how land is developed and used.

The system is run by the Local Planning Authority, usually the local council. Each authority prepares a local plan that sets out development policies and determines planning applications in line with those policies.

While it is often seen as restrictive, town planning plays an important role in shaping places, supporting growth, and protecting important environments.

You will need planning permission for most types of development, including:

– New buildings or structures
– External alterations or extensions
– Changes of use
– Engineering works such as digging or altering ground levels
– Certain types of advertisements
Some smaller works will not require planning permission, and others may fall under permitted development rights.
If your property is listed, you may also need separate consent for internal changes. See our heritage and archaeology guidance for more details.
Planning rules can be complex, so if you are unsure, we can help you understand what applies.

Land and buildings are grouped into categories known as use classes. You do not need planning permission if the change stays within the same class.

Some changes between classes are allowed under the Use Classes Order. Any change outside these rules will require planning permission.

For example, Class E includes shops, restaurants, gyms, and offices. This allows movement between these uses without an application.

Some uses fall outside any class. These are known as sui generis uses and include pubs, nightclubs, and petrol stations. Each has its own rules, so it is always worth checking first.

Permitted development rights allow certain types of development without applying for planning permission.
This can include some extensions and changes of use, subject to limits and conditions.

In some cases, prior approval is required. This is a simplified form of a planning application.

These rights apply to the land, not the owner, so previous development may affect what is possible.

Anyone can apply for planning permission, even if they do not own the land. Once granted, it stays with the land.

A typical planning application includes:

– Application forms and ownership certificates
– A site location plan
– Drawings and elevations
– A design and access statement where required
– Supporting reports if needed
– The relevant fee

Most authorities offer pre-application planning advice, which can give you early insight into how your proposal may be received.

Yes. Retrospective planning applications are relatively common and often approved.

They are usually submitted after work has taken place without planning permission, either at the request of the authority or by a new owner.

The process is the same as a standard application. If permission is refused, changes or removal may be required.
In some cases, a certificate of lawfulness may be a better alternative.