A team you can trust

Plainview Planning is an independent consultancy that has supported clients across England since 2008. We believe good planning starts with listening, and we take pride in offering clear, supportive advice. From homeowners and landowners to developers, farmers, and businesses, we think strategically to unlock site potential, achieve development goals, and build trusted relationships that last beyond each project.

Meet our team

Royal Town Planning Institute Accredited
Plainview Plannging Team

The numbers

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Local authority areas worked in

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Successful planning applications

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Years of collective planning experience

Architect-designed replacement dwelling, Tetbury 

Planning approval secured for architect-designed replacement dwelling in Tetbury.

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Stunning new 600sqm home approved in the Cotswolds National Landscape 

A phased strategy and design-led approach secured approval for a landmark countryside home in the Cotswolds AONB (now Cotswolds National Landscape).

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Residential regeneration in a landmark location – Ealing 

Planning success: 9 new homes and business space approved beside iconic Hoover Building. By addressing sensitive heritage issues, optimising a brownfield site, and working collaboratively with the council and design team, we delivered a sustainable scheme that meets housing need while enhancing the local character.

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Successful pub diversification: 9 new homes and 22 letting rooms near Bath

Planning success: diversification secures future of Grade II listed pub with new homes and visitor accommodation

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Sensitive restoration and extension of a Grade II* listed home in Cheltenham

Preserving & enhancing a Grade II* listed lodge in a challenging site context, through careful planning and design.

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Just a few brief words to thank you for your much-needed contribution towards our recent planning approval. We had some stiff opposition. Nevertheless, you held us by the hand step by step - and you were proved right. I believe that by having Plainview Planning produce a planning statement, this was fundamental to our success - so well done. Best wishes to all the Plainview team.

Mr Morgan, London

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That is just fantastic news about the appeal win. You guys have done really well and we are most thankful. Well done to you and your clever, vigilant team.

Panacea Medical Centre, Sussex

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We can't thank the team at Plainview Planning enough for our recent planning approval. Getting the certificate of lawfulness has been a lengthy process and they have supported us every step of the way. The difference having this planning permission in place has made to our lives is huge. Great work from a great team!

Mr Cree, Greater Manchester

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Many thanks for all your help with our application! We are very grateful and pleased with all the work you have put in. We will of course approach you again and would happily recommend you to friends and colleagues.

Mr Daulatzai, London

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I have to say, from day one, I knew you would be instrumental to the whole venture succeeding - and I wasn't wrong. You have dealt with it all with gold standard professionalism, and I cannot thank you enough.

Mrs Young, East Yorkshire

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I didn’t believe the outcome having to read your email and the EFDC platform several times. It didn’t sink in until Monday morning even after cracking open a bottle of champagne with Sunday dinner. So very grateful for all your amazing services professionalism and support. Thank you.

Mr. Seymour, Essex

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Thank you very much for your work on our application and it proves it again that it's worth hiring professionals, like you, to do the job.

Mr Sestokas, Essex

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I would like to say THANK YOU! The service was top class! The knowledge, advice, recommendation I received from the beginning to the end of my application was honest and professional! Thank you once again! I am beyond happy that this has settled in our favor!

Ms Jackowska, Essex

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I cannot recommend the Planview Planning team enough. They have supported us through the highs and lows of the process with compassion and professionalism. They are incredibly knowledgeable and have insights into the local area and process, are consummate professionals and above all are genuinely good, nice people. If you are reading this and need support / advice do not look any further. Thank you all for everything.

Mrs. Seymour, Essex

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I would just like to thank you all for your support and help – I don’t think we would have won this appeal without your inputs

Mr Oppenheimer, Sussex

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Thank you for your hard work and dealing with my questions. The service provided has been great, onwards and upwards now for the next premises.

South Downs Fitness, West Sussex

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I would like to thank you for all your help. The quality of the application was outstanding and I wouldn't hesitate to use or recommend you in the future.

Mr Ganpatsingh, Surrey

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Just wanted to thank you all for your hard work. You really were first class and without your expertise I’m sure we would have never won the appeal. I will certainly be recommending you.

Mark and Jon Hall, Essex

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Plainview Planning are a professional team: they listen to what is being asked of them, then discuss and advise the route to take. They communicate in a timely fashion and there was never need for me to contact or chase them.

Mrs Taylor, Hampshire

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Thank you all for all that you did to achieve the planning permission. It is great that your experience and hard work - and indeed our nerves! - should be so rewarded. Onward and upward!

Mr & Mrs Colquhoun, Gloucestershire

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Really well-presented Plainview. Great work.

Aventier Ltd., Greenwich

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The team at Plainview Planning have provided superb support for our planning application for a new dwelling. They have provided deep expertise, great cross-functional working with our team of architects and consultants, creative solutions to potential barriers and been a pleasure to deal with as well! What more could you ask for?

Mr Lillie, Bristol

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I was recommended to contact Plainview Planning by my architect. I was very pleased with the professional service I received. They were efficient, timely, listened to my feedback and answered my questions. I was delighted with the outcome, and my appeal was successful.

Mrs Thomas, Kent

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Thank you so much for all your help!

Anytime Fitness, Camden

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The Plainview Planning team have been fundamental in our retrospective planning permission application. They put together an application pack that was so thorough we received no further questions from the planning department, and the process was swift and painless. This is testament to Plainview Planning's understanding of the complexities of the planning process. I am deeply appreciative of their time and effort in bringing this to a successful conclusion.

Dr Bradbury, Essex

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Popular planning questions

Here you'll find popular questions asked by our clients. Can't find the answer to your planning question? Click below to contact us.

Contact us

01242 501003

  • Fundamentally it comes down to what you are seeking to do in planning terms and how best to go about achieving your development aims.  This will dictate what type of application is best for you to submit for your particular project.

    In general terms however, a householder application should take up to 8 weeks for determination, once submitted and validated by a local planning authority.  A full planning application usually takes up to 13 weeks for determination, once submitted and validated by a local planning authority.  Depending on the scope of the project, you will also need to allow time for the preparation of the application.

    This may include a site appraisal, pulling together a project team, pre-application engagement, political engagement, preparation of supporting documentation and review of the submission pack. All of which our team of planning experts can assist you with.  Read more here.

  • If you have been refused planning permission, there is a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.  We never appeal without first ensuring that all other options have been exhausted. Sometimes additional negotiation with your local council is all that is required.

    However, sometimes there is an in-principle objection and appeal is the only way forward. There are three different appeal routes and we can help you choose the best planning appeal route.

    Our access to case law and appeal precedents, along with our own previous experience, will help to construct a robust and persuasive appeal. Find out more here.

  • A settlement boundary separates the built-up area from the surrounding countryside. It is normally established as part of a Local Plan and can be found in the Proposals Map.  A local plan sets the policy for planning and development across a district or borough.  Generally speaking it supports development inside the settlement boundary and seeks to resist development outside this line.  However, securing planning permission for developments outside the settlement boundary isn’t impossible and we have had many successes for our clients over the years.  You may find this article of use as a starting point.

  • There are several key considerations to take into account when looking for a plot of land for potential development. These include – the planning history of the site; any relevant policy designations; the context of the site; proximity to transport links and local amenities; your attitude to risk. 

    Securing planning permission is all about balance – our team of planning experts work hard to tip that planning balance in your favour.  You may find a development appraisal a useful first step – read more here.

  • The name of our practice ‘Plainview’, stems from our appreciation that for most people, the planning system is complex and often difficult to navigate. Our goal has always been to explain to our clients, in plain English, clearly and succinctly, how the planning system works and the process for navigating the system. A plain view for moving forward.  The challenge is that there are so many variables in planning and the decision to be taken is rarely as simple as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Planning decisions are made on balance; what has gone before has a bearing, what local and national policy says has a bearing, what is going on nearby has a bearing, what is going on locally and nationally has a bearing, each individual site context has a bearing, and client aspirations have a bearing.

    Our goal is to understand your project goals, budget and attitude to risk and from there we can provide you with honest, informed and clear advice, tailored to you and your project. We can guide you on the various options open to you, and the risks and costs associated with each. Read more here.

Some of our clients

Below are some of the commercial clients and organisations we work with. You can view all our recent projects or read our latest news and updates.