Our comprehensive planning appraisals are prepared to advise clients on the potential opportunities for development on a site which enables informed decisions to be made about whether, and how, to proceed through the planning system.

Our team has extensive planning experience across a variety of sectors from large and small scale residential and commercial schemes to changes of use of land and buildings.

We can provide feasibility studies which are tailored to suit your needs and aspirations. We will assess the development potential of land or a building, establish if a project is viable and help devise a planning strategy to maximise opportunities and help reduce risks.

We present our findings in a clear and detailed report covering your site’s planning history, its environmental constraints and its planning context in terms of site designations and relevant policy. We make clear recommendations and assess your chances of success as well as identifying any supplementary reports which may be required to support a planning application. We can estimate the associated costs and timescales involved.

Types of planning appraisal

Our experienced planning team can provide site-specific assessments to identify potential development constraints and opportunities on sites in order to optimise land value. It is important to explore and understand all the different avenues to ensure the best chance of obtaining planning permission.

Planning appraisals comprise desk-based research based on the following, but not limited to:

  • The site’s physical characteristics and environmental constraints;
  • Development framework boundaries;
  • Planning history;
  • Local Plan stage;
  • Existing and emerging local and national planning policies;
  • Heritage assets i.e. listed buildings and conservation areas;
  • Tree Preservation Orders; and
  • Section 106 and CIL requirements.

Where required, site visits may also be undertaken to complete a site feasibility assessment.

Our planning appraisals are ideal for Developers/ Landowners/ Individuals who want to:

  • Erect new dwellings or convert rural buildings to residential use within the Open Countryside or Green Belt;
  • Identify alternative land uses for sites or buildings involving changes of use; and
  • Explore more preferred and/or profitable land uses.

Feasibility study for a housing project

Development appraisals are a cost-effective means of assessing development potential and planning opportunities at an early stage before investing further in the preparation and submission of applications to a Local Authority

Each site or property is different and all clients have individual objectives. We offer tailored development appraisals to suit your needs and aspirations.

Development appraisals help ensure you have maximized your property and/or land value prior to selling, where appropriate.

We have advised many clients on potential opportunities for development, including, but not limited to:

  • Erection of new houses in gardens or other owned land; and
  • Conversion of rural buildings to residential or commercial use;

Feasibility study for land development

A planning feasibility study is a cost-effective means of assessing development potential and planning opportunities before investing further in the preparation and submission of applications to the Local Authority.

Cheffins specialise in providing planning appraisals for landowners to help identify potential development opportunities.  Our Planning team has experience in large and small scale residential and commercial schemes and our team has the planning expertise to identify potential development constraints and opportunities on sites which can optimise land value for landowners and developers.

Our development appraisals can advise on the likelihood of success, planning strategy, estimated costs – including planning application fees charged by the Council, our professional fees, estimated cost of specialist consultants where required such as architects, transport and drainage engineers and the likely timescales.

Our appraisals include Assessment of Development Boundaries and a Council’s position on its five-year housing land supply

A feasibility study for land development will explore all the different avenues available and the best route to take to ensure a high chance of obtaining planning permission. This may include submitting an outline planning application or, where a site may be deemed “premature”, Cheffins can advise on putting sites forward to a Local Plan Call for Sites process for allocation.

Feasibility study for alternative land or buildings uses

In our tailored planning feasibility studies, the Cheffins Planning team can assess and identify alternative and/or profitable land uses for sites or buildings involving changes of use.

With our extensive experience with the Use Classes Order and Permitted Development Rights, we can help explore other uses or opportunities for your land or property.

Our site assessment can explore alternative uses of land, changes of use of buildings and land, as well as advice on farm diversification schemes.

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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