Planning advice
Professional planning guidance, with or without a site visit.
Many homeowners explore ideas for extending or altering their property long before they are ready to instruct drawings or submit a planning application. Our planning advice services are designed for this early stage, providing clear, professional guidance either through a desktop assessment or an on-site review.
Whether you want initial reassurance or a professional visit to your property to talk ideas through in person, we offer clearly defined advisory services with transparent, fixed fees.
When planning advice is the right starting point
Planning advice is particularly useful if you:
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Own a property and are considering future changes
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Have ideas but want professional input before committing to plans
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Are unsure whether planning permission is required
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Want clarity on constraints, risks, or realistic options
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Have lived in the property for some time and want to explore potential
Our role at this stage is not to design, but to clarify, de-risk, and advise, allowing you to make informed decisions before progressing further.
We are senior architectural consultants specialising in residential planning context, not just general advice. This means the guidance you receive reflects real policy experience and practical build understanding, delivered promptly, not in months.
Planning advice services
Tier 1 — Planning feasibility review (desktop)
Fixed-fee desktop planning advice (no site visit)
This service provides an initial planning-led assessment of your property based on available information, without a site visit. It is suited to homeowners who want professional guidance before deciding whether to proceed further.
The review typically includes:
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Assessment of planning context and local policy
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High-level review of extension or alteration potential
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Identification of key constraints and opportunities
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Clear guidance on realistic next steps
This service does not include drawings, sketches, or design proposals.
Any progression to plans would require a separate measured survey and design appointment.
Fees (indicative, based on scope)
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Loft conversions or single extensions:
£445 – £595 + VAT -
Combined extensions, layout reconfiguration, or multiple elements:
£595 – £795 + VAT -
New build or redevelopment sites:
from £850 + VAT
Typical timescale: 5–7 working days
The appropriate fee band will be confirmed once the scope is understood.
How To Proceed
This service can be requested via the Start a project section below.
Tier 2 — Planning appraisal (site visit)
On-site planning advice with professional walkthrough
This service provides a focused, on-site planning appraisal carried out at your property. It is suited to homeowners who want detailed, property-specific guidance and the opportunity to discuss ideas, constraints, and options in real time.
The appraisal allows planning considerations to be assessed in context, taking account of site conditions, neighbouring properties, and practical constraints that may not be apparent from desktop information alone.
The review typically includes:
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On-site assessment of planning context and constraints
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Review of extension, alteration, or development potential
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Discussion of planning risk, feasibility, and realistic options
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Clear guidance on likely next steps and routes forward
This service does not include drawings, sketches, or design proposals.
Any progression to plans would require a separate measured survey and design appointment.
Fees (indicative, based on scope)
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Loft conversions or single extensions:
£750 – £950 + VAT -
Combined extensions, layout reconfiguration, or multiple elements:
£950 – £1,250 + VAT -
New build or redevelopment sites:
from £1,250 + VAT
Typical timescale:
Site visit followed by written summary within 5–7 working days
The appropriate fee band will be confirmed once the scope is understood.
How to proceed
This service can be requested via the Start a project section below.
Tier 3 — Pre-planning application assessment
Independent pre-planning advice with accelerated turnaround
This service provides a structured, planning-led assessment for homeowners who require clear guidance before progressing to a planning application, without waiting for local authority response times.
Unlike local authority pre-application services, which typically take 8–10 weeks, we provide professional planning advice within 5–7 working days, allowing you to move forward quickly and with clarity.
The assessment typically includes:
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Structured review against relevant local planning policy
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Site-specific planning considerations and constraints
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Clear advice on viability, risks, and likely planning approach
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Professional guidance on whether and how to proceed
This service is advisory in nature and does not include drawings, sketches, or design work.
Measured surveys and design services are appointed separately where required.
Fees: £795 + VAT - Timescale 5 / 7 working days.
This service prioritises speed, clarity, and independent professional advice from a senior architectural planning consultant.
Advisory fees and progression
All planning advice services are provided as standalone professional appointments, with a clearly defined scope.
Where projects progress beyond the advisory stage, further services, including measured surveys, design work, and planning applications, are appointed separately.
There is no obligation to proceed beyond the advice stage.
How planning advice fits into the wider process
Planning advice often forms the first step in a broader project journey. Some clients proceed quickly to design and application stages, while others use advisory input to plan works over time.
Our role is to help you:
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Decide whether to proceed
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Understand the level of planning risk involved
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Choose the most appropriate next step
Start with planning clarity
Professional planning advice delivered quickly, without committing to drawings or applications.
Our advisory services are designed to give you clear, independent guidance at an early stage, whether through a desktop feasibility review or an on-site planning visit. This allows you to understand what is likely to be achievable, what constraints apply, and how best to proceed.
Get professional insight in days