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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).