Our Services
At Southern Planning Practice, we provide a comprehensive range of planning, architecture, and ecology consultancy services, including the following:
Development Appraisals
Understanding what is possible is the first step toward success. We can undertake Development Appraisals to advise clients on the planning potential of their land and buildings. This involves a detailed site visit, research into planning history, and assessment of relevant local policies. Appraisals are usually undertaken for a fixed fee.
Planning Audits
Southern Planning Practice can also undertake comprehensive Planning Audits for estates, large sites, and complex landholdings to assess their full planning potential. These in-depth reviews identify development opportunities, constraints, and strategic options where multiple buildings or land uses exist.
Planning Applications
Navigating the planning system can be complex and the submission of a planning application is often one of the most challenging stages of any project. With ever-increasing requirements for technical reports and supporting documentation, the process can quickly become overwhelming.
At Southern Planning Practice, we simplify this process for you. Our team expertly manages every stage of the application, from initial preparation and coordination of specialist input to submission and post-submission liaison with the local authority.
Depending on the site’s location, designations, and characteristics, applications may require supporting documents such as:
· Ecology Reports
· Flood Risk Assessments
· Highways and Transport Statements
· Heritage and Lighting Assessments
· Sustainability Reports
· Arboricultural Impact Assessments
· Nitrate and Phosphate Budget Calculations
Where specialist reports are required, we coordinate with our trusted network of external consultants (subject to separate fees) to ensure the information is robust, compliant, and presented to the highest professional standard.
Once submitted, we manage communications with planning officers, respond to consultee feedback, address third-party representations, and handle any necessary amendments.
From concept to decision, Southern Planning Practice provides clear guidance and professional support to give your application the strongest possible chance of success.
Householder Applications
Householder applications are required for a range of domestic developments such as extensions, outbuildings, and other works within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
Southern Planning Practice provides expert planning advice and assistance for even the smallest residential projects, as well as prepare the planning drawings and supporting documents needed for a successful application.
We also advise on proposals that may qualify as Permitted Development, and can submit Lawful Development Certificate applications to confirm that works can proceed without the need for full planning permission.
Recent changes to the Permitted Development regime now allow homeowners to add an additional storey to their property and permanently permit single-storey rear extensions of up to 6 or 8 metres, subject to the Council’s Prior Approval.
Southern Planning Practice can advise on how these rights apply to your property and prepare the necessary applications to help you move your project forward with confidence.
Prior Approval applications
Certain types of development and changes of use no longer require full planning permission but are instead subject to Prior Approval from local planning authority. These applications are assessed solely against defined technical considerations, including transport and highways impacts, flood risk, contamination, and noise as the principle is usually deemed acceptable. Even so, such applications can require detailed assessment against a range of criteria as set out under planning legislation.
Southern Planning Practice provides clear and informed advice on the suitability of buildings and proposals that may qualify under these provisions. We prepare and submit detailed Prior Approval applications, ensuring that all necessary information is presented accurately to facilitate a smooth and efficient determination process.
Lawful Development Certificate Applications
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal confirmation from the local planning authority that an existing or proposed use or development is lawful in planning terms. This may relate, for example, to a building or use that has acquired immunity through the passage of time, or to verify that a proposed project constitutes Permitted Development.
This is a specialist and often complex area of planning law, particularly where immunity must be demonstrated through detailed supporting evidence on the balance of probabilities.
Southern Planning Practice provides expert advice on the preparation of Lawful Development Certificate applications, assembling the necessary documentation and evidence, and submitting robust cases to secure formal confirmation of lawfulness.
Listed Building Consent Applications
Listed Building Consent is required for any works to a Listed Building that may affect its special architectural or historic character. This applies to both the interior and exterior of the property, and not solely to the features identified within the official listing description.
The legislation surrounding Listed Buildings is complex, and carrying out unauthorised works constitutes a criminal offence.
Southern Planning Practice provides clear and informed advice on when consent is required and offers full support in the preparation and submission of Listed Building Consent applications. For more detailed or sensitive proposals, we can coordinate specialist input from qualified Heritage Consultants to ensure that all heritage considerations are appropriately addressed.
Advertisement Consent Applications
Southern Planning Practice can advise clients on the need for Advertisement Consent and can prepare and submit Advertisement Consent applications.
Ecology
Our in-house ecologist, Nikki Windebank, can provide technical assistance and ecological advice on planning projects. Nikki is a qualified planning ecologist who has worked in development control for several local planning authorities and comes with insight into what is required of your applications. Through our in-house ecology services, we are able to ensure that ecological considerations can be fully incorporated into the design of your scheme from the beginning, creating meaningful and sustainable outcomes for biodiversity and delivering a successful outcome for your project.
See our Ecology page for more information.
Architectural Assistance
Our in-house architect, Alexander Lyon, provides expert drawings and design advice to support planning applications and other design projects. We also collaborate with a trusted network of local architects and design practices to ensure the best outcome for every scheme.
Design and Access Statements / Heritage Statements
Southern Planning Practice can produce bespoke Design and Access Statements and Heritage Statements to support clients’ own applications submissions.
Country Houses and Estate Plans
We assist clients with the preparation and submission of large bespoke country homes where planning policy is restrictive. We assist several estates and farms with estate plans and farm diversification strategies.
Appeals
Southern Planning Practice is highly experienced in preparing and managing planning appeals, whether arising from a refusal of permission or the serving of an Enforcement Notice. Our consultants have extensive expertise across all appeal procedures including; Written Representations, Hearings, and Public Inquiries. We can advise you on the most appropriate route for each case to achieve the best possible outcome.
Enforcement
Southern Planning Practice has extensive experience in handling a wide range of planning enforcement matters, from initial enforcement enquiries and Planning Contravention Notices to formal Enforcement Notices.
We act on behalf of clients to liaise with local authorities, aiming to resolve issues efficiently and constructively. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve negotiation, the submission of a retrospective planning application, or a Lawful Development Certificate.
Where no breach of planning control has occurred, we can prepare detailed representations supported by relevant appeal decisions and case law to protect our clients’ interests and ensure a fair outcome.
Discharging, Varying and Removing Planning Conditions
Southern Planning Practice can assist when it comes to discharging, varying or removing conditions attached to various types of planning permissions. Depending on the changes or approval you require we can ensure all necessary information is accurately prepared and submitted to the local authority to achieve the desired outcome. We manage the entire process on your behalf, helping to secure timely approval so your development can proceed or continue without delay.
Site Promotion and Local Plan Representations
Southern Planning Practice actively promotes land and development opportunities on behalf of clients throughout the Local Plan process.
As local authorities are required to review their Local Plans every five years, they frequently undertake ‘Call for Sites’ exercises to inform their Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessments (SHELLA). We assist clients in preparing and submitting well-evidenced site representations at the right time, ensuring that proposals are appropriately considered.
Our team also represents clients at all stages of the Local Plan process, from Issues and Options and public consultations through to Examination hearings, whether promoting a site for allocation or objecting to an emerging policy or competing proposal.
Work on Behalf of Local Authorities
Southern Planning Practice can act as the case officer for complicated or controversial Planning Applications or planning enforcement cases. We can also undertake planning and enforcement appeal work on behalf of LPA’s, as well act as the LPA’s expert planning witness in High Court proceedings.
Objections
Southern Planning Practice is frequently instructed to review planning applications or appeals submitted by neighbouring landowners or developers. We prepare and submit formal objections on behalf of individuals, residents’ groups, or organisations, and can represent clients at Planning Committee meetings or appeal hearings to ensure their concerns are clearly and effectively presented.
We provide honest, professional, and objective advice on the strength and potential impact of an objection, helping clients understand how their representations may influence the final planning decision.
Other Services
Southern Planning Practice undertakes a diverse range of planning work across both rural and urban environments, encompassing projects of all scales and complexities. Our experience includes housing developments (from individual homes to larger schemes), residential conversions, agricultural and equestrian projects, commercial and tourism proposals, and specialist housing, such as HMOs, Children’s Homes, and C3(b) supported living. We are also actively involved in renewable and green energy developments.
We are proud to act as national planning consultants for the British Marine Federation, providing expert advice on marine and waterway-related planning matters. Our work covers houseboats, moorings, marina developments, and canal-side regeneration projects.
In addition, the Practice has long-standing relationships with clients in the hospitality sector, having successfully secured planning permissions for pub, hotel, and mixed-use redevelopments, including works to Listed Buildings and properties within Conservation Areas.
For examples of our recent work, please visit our Project Pages.
Homelodge Buildings Ltd
Homelodge Ltd produce a range of timber lodges which can be used to provide additional annexe accommodation for residential properties.
In most instances the siting of a mobile home within the curtilage of a dwelling for use as an annexe in conjunction with the host property does not need planning permission.
Southern Planning Practice has been working in partnership with Homelodge Ltd for some years, securing permission for their mobile home annexes prior to their installation. This usually involves the submission of Lawful Development Certificate application, of which there has been considerable success.
Examples of some of the Homelodge projects that Southern Planning Practice have been involved in can be found on the projects pages.
Homelodge Ltd tailor their annexes to meet the specific needs of their clients. Further information and contacts can be found on this link to their website: https://www.homelodge.co.uk/
