BPS - Planning Services

Planning Applications

Planning Applications prepared and submitted as agent for all types of development proposal; householder and business, extensions and new built, advertisements, listed buildings and conservation areas. Advice provided on the requirement for planning permission, the policy context applicable for that local authority area and the technical issues that will need to be addressed.

Appeals & Public Inquiries

Acting on behalf of applicants giving them support in objecting to decisions or making representations on plan proposals, through written representations, informal hearings and public inquiries.

Planning Policy

Planning policy advises anyone on the implications of the policies and proposals, both nationally and locally, affecting them and their area. It determines the impact they may have on their development proposals and supports the making of representations as part of Regional Spatial Strategies, Local Development Frameworks and other policy consultation processes.

Local Development Framework

Advising anyone on the implications of the policies and proposals in emerging Local Development Frameworks, affecting them and their area and the impact they may have on their development proposals. It supports the making of representations both through consultation processes and at the more formal objection stage.

Development Briefs and Strategy Statements

Advising developers, landowners and the general public on the likely impact of development proposals set out in Development Briefs and similar guidance documents. It supports developers  and landowners in ensuring that their proposals are fully in accordance with Development Briefs or that a case can be made for appropriate amendments. The impact of Planning Gain (Section 106 agreements), ransome situations, access arrangements and community faciliites are assessed and negotiated.

Design & Access Statements

Design and Access Statements are prepared to meet the new legal requirements, to ensure that applications for both development and listed building consent, are firstly validated and secondly meet the quality requirements for determination.They cover:-

Strategic Environmental Assessment

Strategic Environmental Assessment's provide environmental checks of any development proposal to identify good and not so good environmental impacts together with recommendations as to how any impact can be mitigated. The assessment covers the impact of proposals on:-

• Energy
• Waste
• Air and water
• Drainage and flooding
• Nature conservation and landscaping
• Visual setting
• Transport and travel
• Climate change

Sustainability Appraisals

Sustainability appraisals provide a wider examination of economic, environmental and social impacts of any development proposals. Significant impacts are identified and possible mitigating actions recommended. The appraisal covers:-

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Waste management and reduce, reuse & recycling
• Air quality and pollution
• Foul and surface water drainage, including treatment, reduce, reuse and recycling of water
• Protection of the natural environment and impact on the wider landscape, including visual intrusion
• Transport and access arrangements
• Climate change including development orientation, air conditioning and passive heating
• Economic viability of special proposals and the developmenty as a whole
• Designing out of crime and anti social behaviour
• Promotion of social cohesian and avoidance of social exclusion
• Inclusion of social, recreational and commu ity facilities
• Accessibility both within, into and out of the development

Environmental Impact Assessment

EIA provides a procedure for certain types of project before they can be given development consent. It allows environmental factors to be considered particualrly where there may be significant environmental effects. It focuses on major development, environmentally sensitive development and development with unusually complex and hzardouis environmental effects.The Environmental Statement should cover:-

• Description of the development
• Main alternatives considered
• Aspects of environment likely to be significantly affected by the development
  • Population
  • Fauna and Flora
  • Soil and Water
  • Air and Climatic factors
  • Material assets
  • Architectural and archaeological heritage
  • Landscape
  • Inter- relationships between these factors
• Description of likely significant effects of the development on the environment
• Measures to prevent, reduce and offset significantly adverse effects on the environment

Community Involvement

Community involvement supports both the setting up of community involvement initiatives for Local Authorities and communities in responding to such initiatives. The Spiral of Community Involvement is used to determine the level of involvement presently applied to specific plans, policies, proposals and projects, with recommendations as to what level should be applied and how that might be achieved. Initiatives supported include:-

• Planning for Real
• Visioning
• Priority Search Technique
• Focus Groups
• Open Space Technology

Community Regeneration Projects

Community regeneration covers a very wide range of activities, all of which are focused on the needs of the community and the meeting of those needs. It may involve any or all of the following:-

• Training and skill development for personal benefit or new job opportunities
• Environmental improvement and litter picking
• Development and economic growth
• Accessibility and community transport
• Social inclusion and equal opportunity
• Housing need and provision
• Finance and credit unions
• Recreational and cultural development
• Volunteering
• Community opinion surveys

Project Development & Management

Project development may start with an initial assessment of the problems and opportunities for the particular proposal, which may be site specific or may involve a site search and evaluation. The objective is to take the initial idea and develop it in a practical way within the resources available. Having determined its viability, the project can then be implemented through a managed process to ensure that it is completed successfully within the time scales set. The process includes:-

• Initial assessment
• Feasibility and Viability
• Ownership and Partnerships
• Access
• Design and Layout
• Sketch schemes and plan drawings
• Planning and Building Control process
• Specifications
• Contracting
• Implementation and supervision

Research & Feasibility Studies

Research can relate to any development, identifying the historical context in which new proposals need to be considered. It can guide proposals to a successful conclusion, particularly where the issues are complex. Feasibility studies allow proposals to be considered in some detail to determine their likely viability. Care at the start of the process can avoid expensive mistakes later. Areas where research and feasibility studies could be useful include:-

• Site history
• Planning policy
• Case Law and Precedence
• Land ownership and response to development opportunities
• Public attitudes
• Design, layout and access arrangements

back to the top