Site appraisal & planning strategy

Plainview Planning delivers expert planning and site appraisals to assess feasibility, risks, and strategies—giving your project the best chance of success.

Why start with a planning and site appraisal?

Our planning and site appraisals are a crucial step in evaluating the risks, opportunities, and identifying effective planning strategies for any potential development.

So many of our projects start with the question, “What are my chances of getting planning permission?” This question is difficult to answer immediately, as planning is a varied discipline with many factors to consider.

How our appraisal process works

That is why we commence all our projects with an initial planning appraisal and feasibility study. Through this first-stage review, our planners provide considered and researched guidance on the feasibility of your development aspirations.

To do this, we look at various factors, including the site planning history, its context, and relevant local and national policies, and then weigh these up against your goals.

The benefits of an early review

This initial review really helps flag the potential pitfalls and positives of your site and inform a planning strategy for moving the project forward. It is a crucial stage in not only helping you weigh up your options but also ensuring that if an application is pursued, it is prepared in a way that gives it the best chance of success.

What our appraisal considers

For this first stage of detailed research, our considerations may include:

  • The site context and local facilities
  • The planning history of the site
  • National policy implications
  • Local Council policy position and performance statistics
  • Emerging local or neighbourhood policies
  • The principle of development
  • Significant material considerations
  • Opportunities and constraints
  • Suggested strategies and risk profiles
  • A project timetable with indicative costings

Insight from our experienced team

You will benefit from the insight of the planner leading your project and the collective knowledge of our senior team across Plainview Planning—because collaborative thinking leads to better outcomes.

Once we have completed our appraisal, we’ll arrange a follow-up call to discuss our findings. If you prefer, we can also provide a written report.

Why choose Plainview for your appraisal?

  • Clear go/no-go insight: An honest, early view on feasibility, risks and likely outcomes.
  • Strategy you can act on: Practical next steps, routes to consent, and mitigation options.
  • Policy decoded: We distil national/local policy, case law and local decisions into plain English.
  • Commercial awareness: We balance planning risk with programme, costs and viability.
  • Senior oversight: Every appraisal benefits from our wider team’s experience.
  • Faster progress: Front-loaded evidence and a targeted strategy reduce rework and delays.
  • Flexible deliverables: Follow-up call or detailed written report—your choice.

Outcome: Fewer surprises, stronger applications, and a clearer path to permission.

Ready to discuss your project?

Feel free to contact us to see if a planning and site appraisal might benefit your development project, and to get an idea of our fees for this type of research.

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

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.

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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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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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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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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It was an absolute pleasure having Plainview Planning on board, for our difficult Planning Application. The team was amazing for overlooking and progressing the application focusing on each and every detail, to keep the wheels in motion. I cannot thank you enough. Well done.

Mr M Mohamed, London

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Thank you so much for all your help!

Anytime Fitness, Camden

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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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From our very first conversation through to the successful outcome Plainview planning have been exceptional. They communicated with us every step of the way, always responding promptly to our questions and explaining everything in a clear and reassuring manner. What initially felt like a daunting and uncertain process became far more manageable thanks to their expertise, professionalism, and genuine care.   After years of uncertainty surrounding my mother's property, they achieved the outcome our family had been hoping for by...

Mrs Goodge, Chichester

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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 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 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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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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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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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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I have been so impressed at the consistently high standard of work produced during my planning application and appeal process. The Plainview team went above and beyond what was required. A superb outcome, thank you.

Mrs Grimes, Suffolk

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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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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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You successfully helped us to secure planning early last year. Your input was the turning point for the whole project, for which I am incredibly grateful.

Poppy Construction, Gloucestershire

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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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Out of all the planning consultancies we approached for assistance, you were the most clued up.

Mr. Stanhope, Staffordshire

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