The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is the most significant change to planning legislation since 1968 when the two tier system of Structure Plans and Local Plans was introduced. The new Development Plan system consists of the Development Plan Documents (DPDs) which will form part of a local authority’s Local Development Plan Framework (LDF). These will ultimately replace existing local plans/unitary development plans. The LDF includes key documents such as Core Strategies (often including detailed planning policies), Site Allocation DPDs and Site Development Briefs.

Our LDF service is aimed at helping landowners, developers, house builders or individuals to secure land allocation status for housing, employment, retail, community, recreational or mixed use development.

To give sites the best chance of success it must be fully supported through each stage of the LDF process. We will help you actively promote your site proposal to justify the main principles for development for the site to be included within the final LDF. We can help at any stage however, as with all planning matters our early involvement ensures the best chance of success. Our full LDF service includes:

• Preparation of all supporting documents referring to relevant National Planning Policy. This often involves setting up development teams comprising a number of consultants who would prepare the required specialist reports
• Use of relevant national case law to strengthen and support your application
• Liaison and negotiation with the statutory authorities to ensure your representations are viewed in a favourable light
• Development of a strategic plan of action to best promote your site proposal through the various stages of the process

ID Planning is able to identify possible sites for our clients and assess their suitability for a variety of proposed uses by evaluating development schemes and assisting in the preparation of financial appraisals. We have a wide network of contacts with agents and other property professionals throughout the country and can match client side requirements to available properties and quickly assess the likelihood that any necessary planning consents can be secured.

Has your planning application been refused or have the Council failed to reach a decision within the required timescale? If so, we can provide guidance and advice on the prospect of appealing against the decision (or lack of) or revising your proposals to ensure a greater chance of success. We have extensive experience of dealing with planning appeals and can handle the process on your behalf. There are three routes of appeal available:

• Written Representations
• Informal Hearings
• Public Inquiries

We can advise on the most appropriate form of appeal and present your case to the Planning Inspector in a clear and concise manner. Please note you must lodge an appeal within 6 months of the date of decision (or expected determination date) unless your proposal is for household development where appeals must be lodged within 12 weeks.

Awareness of the impact on the environment is an increasingly important concern for today’s developments and is a core part of the UK planning system. We provide a range of services in this sector, including:

• Environmental impact screening and scoping options
• Delivery of fit for purpose environmental assessments
• Social, community and economic impact analysis
• Review and critique of environmental statements

Our retail team provide commercial planning advice to meet specific retail needs of a wide range of clients in all key private areas of the retail sector. Our retail specialist, Jeremy Williams has extensive experience throughout the UK and frequently acts as lead consultant in retail development teams and is experienced in giving evidence at public inquiries and other appeal hearings.

The experience we can offer the retail developer includes:

• Planning Appraisals and Feasibility Studies
• Retail Impact Assessments and Sequential Studies
• Full Planning Applications for food and non-food retail development ranging from a single unit to new supermarkets and shopping centres
• Planning Appeals
• Community Consultation