Whether you're extending your home, developing a site, or working in a sensitive planning area, understanding the planning rules that apply to your project is essential. As the owner of the property or land, compliance is ultimately your responsibility — and we're here to make sure you're on the right side of those rules from day one.
Where we work
We work regularly with the following local planning authorities, and have built strong working relationships with their planning teams over many years:
- Northumberland County Council
- Newcastle City Council
- North Tyneside Council
The North East is our home and our specialism — but our experience extends nationally. We have delivered projects across England and are comfortable working with any local planning authority your site falls within.
Your responsibility as an owner
Even where formal planning permission is not required, you as the property or land owner must ensure that all building work complies with the relevant planning rules. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action — and in serious cases, a requirement to demolish or restore the works at your own cost.
We strongly recommend a pre-application meeting with the relevant Local Planning Authority before any formal submission is made. This allows us to understand the planners' position early, refine your scheme before you commit to the costs of a full application, and significantly improve the chances of a positive outcome for you.
There are also other considerations before work starts — Health and Safety requirements, rights of way, and where relevant, Listed Building Consent. We'll make sure nothing is overlooked.
What your application may require
Depending on the scale, location and nature of your project, the following supporting documents or surveys may be required as part of your planning submission:
- Design and Access Statement Explains the design rationale and how your scheme relates to its context — required for most applications of scale.
- Traffic Survey Required where your development significantly increases vehicle movements to and from the site.
- Ecology Survey Including bat surveys and barn owl assessments — required on many rural and greenfield sites across Northumberland and the wider North East.
- Tree Survey and Landscape Management Plan Required where your development affects existing trees or is within an area where landscaping is a planning condition.
- Sound Survey Relevant if your site is near a motorway, railway line or airport — particularly for residential development.
- Flood Risk Assessment Required by the Environment Agency on sites within or adjacent to flood zones — increasingly common with new development.
- Photomontage and 3D Visualisations Help the planning team assess how your scheme sits within its surroundings — particularly valuable in sensitive landscapes or conservation areas.
We'll identify exactly what your specific application requires, coordinate the appointment of any specialists needed, and manage the submission process from start to finish — so you can focus on your project, not the paperwork.
How we manage your application
Once we understand your site and your brief, we manage the entire planning process on your behalf. That means liaising with the planning officer, responding to any concerns raised during the application period, and navigating any conditions attached to your consent so you know exactly what you can build and when.
Our aim is always to present your project in the strongest possible light — addressing potential concerns before they become objections, and building a clear, positive case for approval.