We are very pleased to see the publication of our two new books - How to Object to a planning application or planning appeal, and How to Appeal against a refusal of planning permission. These are aimed at the general public and offer an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to undertake your own objection, or to lodge an appeal. They have been written based on 25 years' experience in these two areas of town planning, which are common areas experienced by the general public.
They are available on Amazon, and you can find out more at www.town-planning-know-how.co.uk

This time of year is partly spent in teaching at the Henley Business School, part of the University of Reading. Another series of lectures is underway for the undergraduate students across the Real Estate department, teaching them law and planning practice.

We were given a copy of this new book, produced by the renowned architect James Gorst, which showcases his work over recent years. We have worked with James and his company for many years, particularly on sensitive conservation and listed building projects. The book is full of fantastic houses and architecture.

We have obtained planning permission for a large detached house on an undeveloped parcel of land in the Green Belt, in a Berkshire village. The application raised a discussion as to whether the type of development was consistent with local and national planning Green Belt policy, and the site also was subject to ecological and drainage issues. We negotiated a permission that was approved under delegated powers by the Planning Officer, with no objections from neighbours.

Client: private landowner

Planning permission has been granted for extensions and alterations to a terrace house in central Belgravia, London. The property lies within a conservation area and close to listed buildings, where space is very constrained and many residents overlook and adjoin each other. Pre-application consultation led to a scheme that was approved under delegated powers within the 8 weeks.

​Client: private householder

Planning permission has been granted for the retention of three dwellings in the Green Belt, in Surrey. The client had converted three buildings to separate houses and enforcement investigations had commenced. We advised in relation to the lawfulness of the case, and then prepared a planning application to argue why permission should be granted for the retention of the dwellings. This was approved by the Planning Committee.

Client: private householder

We obtained planning permission for a large rear extension and mansard addition, the height and width of the house, to a substantial semi-detached villa in the Notting Hill area of London. Having fought a long battle for this permission, the client wished to implement the permission before it expired. We were involved in advising on a Certificate of Lawfulness to establish that sufficient works had been undertaken within the relevant time period, and the Certificate was granted by the Council to confirm that development can proceed in the future.

Client: private householder

A long-running saga has taken a step closer to being resolved. We have worked for a commercial client undertaking vehicle repairs under a lawful planning permission. We sought to extend the opening hours for the business, with new mitigation measures to ensure no noise to the neighbours. Planning permission was granted for this change, but the Council imposed conditions on the grant of permission that meant the permission was effectively useless. We appealed against the conditions and the Inspector agreed with our case, so varied the permission to be something our client can actually implement. Partial costs were awarded against the Council for them imposing unreasonable conditions.

Client: National Rescue Group

A client had painted their stucco house in St John's Wood a delicate shade of pink. This offended the Council who refused permission, and an appeal was lodged. We demonstrated to the Inspector that the Council's policies for this conservation area allowed householders flexibility to choose how they painted their houses. The appeal was allowed and our client can keep their pink house.

​Client: private householder

After a long period of negotiation with the Council and a previous appeal, planning permission has been granted for a new house on a tight infill site in Teddington, south west London. The Council were concerned with design, effect on neighbours, parking, trees and access to the site, as well as seeking various legal agreements for the site. We considered some of the requests unreasonable and, after much work, secured a permission that was in better terms than the Council had initially sought.

Client: private developer