Questions to resolve early
What feasibility advice should establish
The important question is not simply whether a site could accommodate development. A useful appraisal considers whether the proposed use and form of development can be justified against the development plan, how decision-makers are likely to approach the site, and what would need to change before an application is submitted.
Principle and policy
Whether the development is acceptable in principle under adopted and emerging policy, including any relevant land-use, housing, employment, Green Belt or countryside considerations.
Constraints and evidence
Which designations, site conditions, neighbouring uses, heritage, access, ecology, trees, drainage or other matters may affect prospects and the evidence required.
Form and development parameters
The scale, density, layout, access and design parameters that should guide the scheme before the design becomes fixed or costs increase.
Route, timing and risk
Whether to proceed through an appraisal, pre-application process, full application or an alternative route, and where uncertainty should be resolved first.
Site and development potential
Planning Feasibility Appraisals
We prepare detailed planning feasibility appraisals to assess the development potential of residential and commercial sites. Each appraisal provides a structured assessment of planning constraints, policy compliance, and likely decision-making outcomes.
Our feasibility appraisals are grounded in:
- National planning policy
- The adopted and emerging development plan
- Relevant appeal decisions and local precedent
They are designed to give clients a realistic understanding of what is achievable, rather than theoretical development capacity.
Location-specific policy and constraints are also considered through the relevant London and South East planning context and our review of planning designations and site constraints.
Our advice is frank, commercially focused, and intended to inform decision-making before land acquisition, option agreements, or design costs escalate.
Before acquisition, lease or design commitment
When early advice is most valuable
Feasibility work is most useful while there is still scope to change the site strategy, commercial terms or design brief. It can support a landowner considering promotion, a developer assessing acquisition or option terms, or a business testing whether premises can accommodate its intended operation.
Where heritage significance is central to the site, early advice can also define the scope of the relevant heritage and conservation assessment.
Strategic authority engagement
Pre Applications
We provide specialist pre-application planning advice, advising on when and how to engage with the local planning authority prior to submitting a planning application.
Where appropriate, we manage the full pre-application process, including:
- Shaping development proposals prior to officer engagement
- Preparing supporting information and plans
- Coordinating technical consultants
- Submitting and managing formal pre-application enquiries
Pre-application engagement is not a substitute for a sound planning case and it does not guarantee the outcome of a later application. Used properly, however, it can expose issues while there remains time to respond and can provide a clearer basis for deciding whether further work is proportionate.
Proportionate planning judgement
Early Planning Strategy & Risk Advice
For complex or constrained sites, we provide early planning strategy advice to help clients understand how best to approach development in both the short and medium term.
This may include advice on:
- Assessment of alternative development options
- Advice on planning risk and appeal prospects
- Phasing strategies for larger or multi-stage sites
- Timing considerations linked to emerging local plans
Our role is to align planning strategy with commercial objectives while maintaining a defensible and policy-compliant position. Where an existing proposal has already been refused, the appropriate next step may instead be a focused appeal or resubmission review.
A clear route from evidence to decision
How we approach early-stage instructions
Establish the brief and decision point
We identify what the client needs to decide, the intended use or development, the available information and the commercial timescale.
Review the planning baseline
We consider planning history, development-plan policy, relevant designations and constraints, site context and any material changes that could affect the route.
Test options and evidence requirements
We distinguish issues that can be resolved through design and drawings from those requiring technical evidence, a planning statement, authority engagement or a different planning strategy.
Recommend a proportionate next step
The advice sets out the principal risks, realistic opportunities and the work justified before further commitment.
Feasibility and early planning advice
Discuss the site before committing further
Send us the site address, intended use or development, planning history and any available plans. We can identify the appropriate scope for an initial review.
