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

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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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Planning approved for new visitor facilites at an RSPB wetlands reserve

Balancing Green Belt policy and ecology considerations to deliver sustainable visitor facilities for a vital wetlands reserve.

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Change of use from pub to 31-Bed Hotel, London 

Transforming a derelict pub into a thriving hotel near London City Airport

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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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Thanks for the great service and support, you made the whole process very straightforward.

Mr Barrett, Essex

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No other advisor would have achieved the result you have. Your knowledge, judgement, flexibility and patience left no stone unturned in pursuit of a positive outcome, despite poor prospects. It is extremely rare to work with advisors with the level of professionalism and integrity we have experienced working with you. At every stage we have been able to trust that you would offer the most appropriate advice and make the right judgements.

Mrs Shuttleworth, London

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Working alongside Plainview planning has been a pleasure from start to finish. Their advice and expertise has been paramount to the success of getting planning permission for my project. My project was complex involving mobile home planning law, neighbourhood plans and a fractured and detailed site history. The team were excellent at replying to my concerns and finding a lawful route to my challenging planning needs. I couldn't be happier with their level of service and I fully recommended them...

Mr James, Cambridge

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I would fully recommend McLoughlin Planning Ltd; they handled my application for change of use of my Therapy Centre into residential use. They demonstrated a wealth of experience in the thorough way they prepared my planning application and kept the process moving, whilst keeping me informed at all times. I was delighted that they succeeded in getting my application passed which was by no means an easy task.

Amanda, West Sussex

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Plainview Planning made a realistic appraisal of a very complicated planning history of our annex. From the outset, our consultant clearly had good knowledge and skills to prepare the planning statement. Realistic but supportive throughout and made a stressful application easier for us. Successful outcome very much due to our consultant.

Mr & Mrs Cooper, East Sussex

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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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Thank you very much. I appreciate your responsive and professional service.

Farooq Azami, London

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When I finished reading your statement, I had a smile on my face. You made a complicated argument both simple and compelling - thank you.

Mr A Marler – Hertfordshire

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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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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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Plainview, you’re absolute diamonds! Thank you so much, I am so, so grateful for your help. I definitely plan to return when the time comes for another application! Thank you so much again.

Nina, North Cotswolds

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Thank you for all your hard work on our situation. We achieved the best possible outcome thanks to your dedication and work ethic. Your pursuit of a positive outcome, despite what initially appeared to be a very poor prospect, was unwavering. The work and understanding from the beginning was strong and the goal was ultimately achieved We can only say that we would highly recommend Plainview Planning to future clients with the highest regard.

Mr Carlon, London

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On behalf of PKL Group and our client, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the team at Plainview Planning for undertaking such a sterling job in obtaining planning permission on what has been an incredibly complex and sensitive project. We would have absolutely no hesitation in returning to Plainview Planning for future outsourced planning support and I would equally have no hesitation in recommending their service to others.

PKL Group Ltd, Cheshire

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We received great initial advice and communication on a planning issue that could have gone either way. Whilst being honest and realistic of our chances, together we agreed a strategy for appealing the decision which eventually resulted in an appeal to the Secretary of State. I am pleased to say that we have now finally achieved approval and could not have done it without their advice and professionalism. We would recommend Plainview Planning without hesitation.

Mr & Mrs Boyce, Essex

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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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I just wanted to say that I have been delighted with the professional attentive service that I have received from Plainview Planning since my association with them first started at the end of 2018.

Mrs Symons, Essex

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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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Having recently been granted planning permission for a Paragraph 79 in West Sussex it has been no mean feat! From the outset we were impressed by their positivity and reassurance that if we play the long game we would get there in the end. This has been proven to be true! They were as determined as we were to get the planning passed. We can't thank you enough.

Mr & Mrs Perryman, West Sussex

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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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From start to finish, it was a pleasure working with Plainview Planning. The team are a wealth of knowledge and support, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. Their breadth of experience is invaluable when navigating planning projects, particularly those involving contentious issues requiring a common‑sense approach. Whatever stage you’re at, they are highly recommended to help bring your ideas to fruition.

Mrs Sadler, 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.