Cheffins Planning team has extensive experience of dealing with a wide range of commercial schemes ranging from small schemes to much larger projects for major businesses.

Where necessary, we can call on our commercial planning team to provide additional evidence to support applications. We have provided assistance to a vast range of businesses within both urban and rural areas which are looking to expand or diversify to reflect local and national trends. We have also advised clients on the level of information required to appropriately market sites before they are changed to alternative use, in particular residential schemes.

Cheffins Planning team will carry out a site visit and meet with businesses owners to understand their needs and undertake a planning policy review to identify the opportunities associated with the proposed development.

Following the initial appraisal, we can advise the most appropriate way forward and will engage with our in-house commercial planning team and the economic development officers and Planners at Local Authorities. We will also advise as to whether a scheme should be undertaken as a single entity or in a phased manner.

Cheffins can project manage an application and will seek to ensure that an application is determined in a timely manner. We will also look to engage with the Local Planning Authority to make certain that any issues are addressed expediently and ensure that the number of conditions imposed are kept to a minimum. We will also provide advice and offer solutions where objections are raised during the consideration of an application.

Types of commercial planning permission

Cheffins Planning team has experience of many types of commercial planning, with particular expertise in commercial, retail and leisure projects. We are currently dealing with planning applications at three hotels, one holiday park and a potential large scale visitor attraction. Our experience also includes planning applications for an Escape Room, glamping sites and holiday lodges.

Planning permission for an office

Cheffins can advise as to the issues associated in providing a new office, either involving the conversion of an existing building or the erection of a new building. In terms of planning policy, Council’s unquestionably favour the conversion of redundant buildings to commercial purposes in preference to residential uses. There is still a strong market for well-designed new offices. Cheffins can also advise as to alternative uses for redundant offices and can use both planning applications and permitted development rights to achieve the conversion of such buildings to residential or other uses.

Planning permission for a warehouse

Cheffins Planning has had notable successes in securing commercial planning permission for clients in North Hertfordshire, South Cambridgeshire and East Cambridgeshire and we’ve helped clients to respond to the unquestionably high demand for good quality B8 storage use. These projects have involved the conversion of large agricultural buildings and brand-new bespoke facilities.

Cheffins can draw on the expertise from their colleagues in the Rural and Commercial Teams to identify sites and end users for warehouse schemes.

The particular issues which should be considered include:

  • Current and future needs of a business i.e. where applicable, allow room for future extensions
  • Transport and operational needs of a business
  • Visual impact of schemes and the impact on residential amenity
  • Provide evidence of the demand for such facilities

Planning permission for self storage

Cheffins has successfully secured planning permission for a large number of clients looking to establish self-storage facilities. Our knowledge and expertise has enable us to successfully argue and address the concerns associated with such schemes which have to date resulted in a 100% success rate. The main issues which need to be considered are:

  • The visual impact of facilities, including illumination and security
  • Number of visitors to the site and demonstrating that these are actually low
  • Impact on adjoining properties (where applicable)
  • Highway impacts

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Our experts
Adam Tuck BSc (Hons) MRICS CPDS
Director
Planning & Development
Edward Clarke BSc (Hons) MSc
Associate
Planning & Development
Ruth Gunton BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI
Associate
Planning & Development
Emma Thompson BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
Vaughan Bryan BA (Hons), MPhil (Cantab)
Graduate Planner
Planning & Development