Planning Applications & Appeals

Securing planning permission is becoming a more complex exercise. Sustainability, design, transport and the environment are issues which increasingly need to be addressed, in response to changing national and European legislation and emerging policy guidance.

At Cheffins we can:

  • carry out site and development appraisals bringing planning and commercial skills together to promote viable and realistic schemes;
  • advise on effective approaches to securing permission for development;
  • prepare development briefs and advocacy documents to promote schemes, engage in consultation with stakeholders and the public;
  • submit planning applications, with all supporting documents, monitor their progress and negotiate with planning authorities;
  • submit related applications for Conservation Area Consent, Listed Building Consent, Hazardous Substances Consent etc;
  • negotiate s106 agreements and advise on the discharge of planning conditions;
  • lodge appeals against refusals of planning permission, and present cases by written representation, public hearing or public inquiry.

The range of applications submitted on behalf of clients varies widely. In addition to applications for residential development, either through new build or conversion, recent examples include gaining approval for:

  • A major extension to a 400kV electricity sub-station near Ipswich as part of a reinforcement to the national electricity transmission system;
  • Changes to noise and working hours conditions on a change of use application which enabled the relocation of an industrial concern to Haverhill. Cheffins was subsequently retained to gain approval for a new warehouse and office building on adjacent land;
  • Listed Building Consent for changes to a sixteenth century wall at a former bishop's palace near Ely, which involved the use of a specialist architectural adviser to prepare a management plan for the wall;
  • Retrospective consent for fencing and cladding on an industrial estate at Sawston to forestall enforcement action.

Successful appeal decisions have recently been obtained for:

  • The demolition of a former foaling yard in Cheveley Conservation Area, near Newmarket, and its replacement by a development of five dwellings;
  • The development of a site for a single dwelling outside the settlement boundary at Marshland St James, near Wisbech.