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

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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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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Architect-designed replacement dwelling, Tetbury 

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

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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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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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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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Throughout the entire application process everybody involved from the Plainview Planning team provided me with the very highest levels of courtesy, patience and above all professionalism. The positive outcome of this application clearly shows your business formula works. Once again thank you for taking on this application and getting the desired result.

Disdale Gordon, D and G LTD London

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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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Last year there were four applications to Horsham Planning Department. Each one was specific and required attention to detail to secure planning approval. I was very pleased when each application was 'approved' without too much discussion. This was achieved through the dedicated work of your Plainview Planning Experts, and I would like to thank them for their hard work and determination. I would have no hesitation in recommending your company to my friends and family.

Mr Hallworth, 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 not hesitate to recommend Plainview Planning. The worry was taken away from me, and I felt confident that my change of use application was all being dealt with in a professional manner.

Mrs Powis-Jones, Gloucestershire

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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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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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Thank you all so much for your help on this, you’ve made the process extremely easy.

Mr Moore, 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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Thank you for making our dream come true! For almost 35 years, my wife and I had been trying to obtain planning permission to build our family home. After numerous refusals, we almost gave up hope but were recommended Plainview Planning. It was an absolute pleasure working with the team, who were professional, knowledgeable and effective throughout the process. I would highly recommend Plainview Planning to anyone who needs expert planning advice and guidance.

Mr Tann, Essex

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

Farooq Azami, London

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After a previously stressful experience we needed someone to 'hold our hands' and, for my part, to feel like someone cared about our forever home project as much as we did. Their professional approach & expert knowledge was combined with a genuine desire for us to succeed. I felt reassured and supported throughout and I wish we had known about Plainview Planning sooner. I would not hesitate in recommending you to anyone considering a self-build.

Mrs Johnson, Hertfordshire

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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.