CPW Planning is a trusted, independent planning consultancy serving clients across the UK.

We are specialists in what we do; providing a personable service and delivering market-facing outcomes for clients on a range of planning and development projects. We work with developers, investors, occupiers, local authorities, and other real estate professionals.

services

Our planning appraisals establish the development potential of a particular site or asset in the context of planning policy, site constraints and surrounding new or proposed development. We deliver a planning strategy that is clear, realistic, and fully aligned with the client’s objectives.

planning appraisals

We prepare and negotiate planning applications involving retail and leisure development, changes of use, non-material amendments, lawful development certificates and prior approvals. As part of our service we support other planning consultancy firms with specialist retail planning advice to achieve successful outcomes.

planning applications

We specialise in preparing robust, NPPF-compliant retail and town centre studies for local authorities. Integral to plan-making and development management, an up-to-date evidence base can underpin Councils’ regeneration objectives and support a new policy approach in response to the evolving retail market and the introduction of Class E.

retail and town centre studies

Town centres must adapt to stay relevant and compete with online retailing and out-of-town destinations. We can add value through catchment area analysis, competition profiling and ‘gap’ analysis, commissioning shopper and business surveys, and formulating bespoke strategies and/or appropriate policy responses.

town centre strategy

We have a proven track record of providing local authorities and private sector clients with ‘first class’ independent retail planning advice – coupling our technical skills with a strong commercial awareness to undertake in-depth appraisals of retail (and leisure) impact assessments and the sequential approach to site selection.

independent retail planning advice

Promoting a site or asset through the plan-led system can take time but can significantly enhance its value and development prospects. We coordinate the wider technical teams and engage with local authorities to put together the building blocks for achieving client objectives.

site promotion

Chris Watts is an experienced planning expert witness on matters relating to town centre vitality and hierarchy, the sequential test, retail and leisure impact assessments, and the socio-economic impacts of proposed development. He acts for public and private sector clients at public inquiries and Examinations in Public (EiP).