Planning Enforcement

The failure to obtain planning permission or comply with the details of a permission is commonly known as a ‘planning breach’. However, in certain cases the council can issue an enforcement notice requiring you to put things back as they were.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your enforcement related queries.

The local planning authority can serve an enforcement notice on you when they consider you have broken planning control rules. Normally this will be because they consider what you are doing, or have done, is harmful to your neighbourhood.
It is illegal to disobey a enforcement notice unless it is successfully appealed against. You can appeal against both refusals of permission and enforcement notices but if the verdict comes out against you and you still refuse to comply you may be prosecuted. Plan B Architecture can advise you on enforcement issues.

Enforcement Action classifications

There are a range of enforcement powers available to Local Authorities including Enforcement NoticesBreach of Condition Notices, and Stop Notices. The correct planning strategy will depend on the actions already taken by the Council.

Plan B Architecture can assess your specific case and provide you following options
in a timely manner.

  • Preparation and submitting a retrospective application along with necessary drawings & supporting statements
  • Preparation and submitting a Certificate of Lawfulness application along with necessary drawings& supporting statements
  • Possibility of negotiation with the enforcement officer
  • Possibility of Enforcement appeal after considering the merits of your specific case.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your enforcement related queries.

 

Planning Enforcement

The failure to obtain planning permission or comply with the details of a permission is commonly known as a ‘planning breach’. However, in certain cases the council can issue an enforcement notice requiring you to put things back as they were.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your enforcement related queries.

The local planning authority can serve an enforcement notice on you when they consider you have broken planning control rules. Normally this will be because they consider what you are doing, or have done, is harmful to your neighbourhood.
It is illegal to disobey a enforcement notice unless it is successfully appealed against. You can appeal against both refusals of permission and enforcement notices but if the verdict comes out against you and you still refuse to comply you may be prosecuted. Plan B Architecture can advise you on enforcement issues.

Enforcement Action classifications

There are a range of enforcement powers available to Local Authorities including Enforcement NoticesBreach of Condition Notices, and Stop Notices. The correct planning strategy will depend on the actions already taken by the Council.

Plan B Architecture can assess your specific case and provide you following options
in a timely manner.

  • Preparation and submitting a retrospective application along with necessary drawings & supporting statements
  • Preparation and submitting a Certificate of Lawfulness application along with necessary drawings& supporting statements
  • Possibility of negotiation with the enforcement officer
  • Possibility of Enforcement appeal after considering the merits of your specific case.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your enforcement related queries.

 

Conversion to Flats

Conversion to Flats

For all the above cases, the success of the applications depends on variety of factors.

Broadly speaking we consider the following 3 conditions:

  1. Can we establish if the given property used for  residential purpose in past.
  2. Can we establish if the property has a history of marketing and the property being vacant.
  3. Historical planning information for that specific area and local precedence for such conversions into residential dwellings in the past.

 Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your flat conversion application.

 

 

Conversion to Flats

Conversion to Flats

For all the above cases, the success of the applications depends on variety of factors.

Broadly speaking we consider the following 3 conditions:

  1. Can we establish if the given property used for  residential purpose in past.
  2. Can we establish if the property has a history of marketing and the property being vacant.
  3. Historical planning information for that specific area and local precedence for such conversions into residential dwellings in the past.

 Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your flat conversion application.

 

 

Commercial Change of Use

Commercial Change of Use

Loft ConversionAt Plan B Architecture we have gained expertise in securing planning permission for change of use applications. Every change of use application is different but the critical point is the ability to prove to your local council in proving the need for the new use class of dwelling. Plan B architecture can help you in preparing evidence  and professional documentation in such cases.

 Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your change of use applications.

Use Classes

The Town and Country Planning puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as ‘Use Classes’.

The following list gives an indication of the types of use which may fall within each use class. Please note that this is a guide only and it’s for local planning authorities to determine, in the first instance, depending on the individual circumstances of each case, which use class a particular use falls into.

 

  • A1 Shops – Shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices (but not sorting offices), pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes.
  • A2 Financial and professional services – Financial services such as banks and building societies, professional services (other than health and medical services) including estate and employment agencies and betting offices.
  • A3 Restaurants and cafés – For the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises – restaurants, snack bars and cafes.
  • A4 Drinking establishments – Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments (but not night clubs).
  • A5 Hot food takeaways – For the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises.
  • B1 Business – Offices (other than those that fall within A2), research and development of products and processes, light industry appropriate in a residential area.
  • B2 General industrial – Use for industrial process other than one falling within class B1 (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste).
  • B8 Storage or distribution – This class includes open air storage.
  • C1 Hotels – Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided (excludes hostels).
  • C2 Residential institutions – Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.
  • C2A Secure Residential Institution – Use for a provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks.
  • C3 Dwellinghouses
  • C4 Houses in multiple occupation – small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
  • D1 Non-residential institutions – Clinics, health centres, crèches, day nurseries, day centres, schools, art galleries (other than for sale or hire), museums, libraries, halls, places of worship, church halls, law court. Non residential education and training centres.
  • D2 Assembly and leisure – Cinemas, music and concert halls, bingo and dance halls (but not night clubs), swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or area for indoor or outdoor sports and recreations (except for motor sports, or where firearms are used).
  • Sui Generis – Certain uses do not fall within any use class and are considered ‘sui generis’. Such uses include: theatres, houses in multiple occupation, hostels providing no significant element of care, scrap yards. Petrol filling stations and shops selling and/or displaying motor vehicles. Retail warehouse clubs, nightclubs, launderettes, taxi businesses, amusement centres and casinos.

Before you negotiate a lease or buy a property for your business, check whether you need to obtain planning permission for your intended use, and, if so, your chances of getting it.

Changes of use requiring a planning application

Other than for the permitted changes of use and changes where both uses fall within the same use class, planning permission is generally required for a material change of use.Most external building work associated with a change of use is likely to require planning permission.

Building Regulations

The building regulations may apply to certain changes of use of an existing building even though you may think that the work involved in the project will not amount to ‘Building Work’.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your change of use applications.

 

 

Commercial Change of Use

Commercial Change of Use

Loft ConversionAt Plan B Architecture we have gained expertise in securing planning permission for change of use applications. Every change of use application is different but the critical point is the ability to prove to your local council in proving the need for the new use class of dwelling. Plan B architecture can help you in preparing evidence  and professional documentation in such cases.

 Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your change of use applications.

Use Classes

The Town and Country Planning puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as ‘Use Classes’.

The following list gives an indication of the types of use which may fall within each use class. Please note that this is a guide only and it’s for local planning authorities to determine, in the first instance, depending on the individual circumstances of each case, which use class a particular use falls into.

 

  • A1 Shops – Shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices (but not sorting offices), pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes.
  • A2 Financial and professional services – Financial services such as banks and building societies, professional services (other than health and medical services) including estate and employment agencies and betting offices.
  • A3 Restaurants and cafés – For the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises – restaurants, snack bars and cafes.
  • A4 Drinking establishments – Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments (but not night clubs).
  • A5 Hot food takeaways – For the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises.
  • B1 Business – Offices (other than those that fall within A2), research and development of products and processes, light industry appropriate in a residential area.
  • B2 General industrial – Use for industrial process other than one falling within class B1 (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste).
  • B8 Storage or distribution – This class includes open air storage.
  • C1 Hotels – Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided (excludes hostels).
  • C2 Residential institutions – Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.
  • C2A Secure Residential Institution – Use for a provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks.
  • C3 Dwellinghouses
  • C4 Houses in multiple occupation – small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
  • D1 Non-residential institutions – Clinics, health centres, crèches, day nurseries, day centres, schools, art galleries (other than for sale or hire), museums, libraries, halls, places of worship, church halls, law court. Non residential education and training centres.
  • D2 Assembly and leisure – Cinemas, music and concert halls, bingo and dance halls (but not night clubs), swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or area for indoor or outdoor sports and recreations (except for motor sports, or where firearms are used).
  • Sui Generis – Certain uses do not fall within any use class and are considered ‘sui generis’. Such uses include: theatres, houses in multiple occupation, hostels providing no significant element of care, scrap yards. Petrol filling stations and shops selling and/or displaying motor vehicles. Retail warehouse clubs, nightclubs, launderettes, taxi businesses, amusement centres and casinos.

Before you negotiate a lease or buy a property for your business, check whether you need to obtain planning permission for your intended use, and, if so, your chances of getting it.

Changes of use requiring a planning application

Other than for the permitted changes of use and changes where both uses fall within the same use class, planning permission is generally required for a material change of use.Most external building work associated with a change of use is likely to require planning permission.

Building Regulations

The building regulations may apply to certain changes of use of an existing building even though you may think that the work involved in the project will not amount to ‘Building Work’.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your change of use applications.

 

 

Planning Feasibility Report

Planning Feasibility Report

Loft Conversion

 At Plan B Architecture, we can assess the developmental potential for your building site. Based on our assessment we can provide suggestions whether there is a possibility of getting planning permission for your proposed plans.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you assess your chances os gaining planning permission for a development site. 

  • Our Planning Feasibility report  will consider various factors as stated below:
  • Assessment and Analysis of planning history of the site
  • Analyzing any site constraints or issues which can possibly affect the planning decision
  • Consideration of the local planning permission regulation, unitary planning development rules and any national planning policies.
  • Based on your request we can prepare either outline sketches or detailed plans
  • Assist you in your pre planning application if you decide to do so. Prepare your preplanning application pack
  • OS Maps

Generally the planning process is often long, confusing and uncertain. Over the years the planning and building control departments of various councils have become very bureaucratic and it seems you just jumping the hoops. At Plan B architecture, our business experience and commercial planning expertise gives us realistic and pragmatic perspective to deal with commercial planning applications effectively with the best chance to succeed. We provide objective, clear advice and suggestions that help your business case and achieve the planning permission.

We provide you with open, honest communications and recommendations with various options and alternatives one can take. We make you aware of pros and cons of various options and possible outcomes. We try not to use technical jargon and sales techniques, but rather communicate in a language which our clients can understand clearly and adopt approaches which deliver successful planning permission in one go with minimum hassle.
On account of varying nature of such proposals, our fees can be discussed and agreed on case by case basis. It can be set at a fixed price or an hourly basis.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you assess your chances os gaining planning permission for a development site.

 

Planning Feasibility Report

Planning Feasibility Report

Loft Conversion

 At Plan B Architecture, we can assess the developmental potential for your building site. Based on our assessment we can provide suggestions whether there is a possibility of getting planning permission for your proposed plans.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you assess your chances os gaining planning permission for a development site. 

  • Our Planning Feasibility report  will consider various factors as stated below:
  • Assessment and Analysis of planning history of the site
  • Analyzing any site constraints or issues which can possibly affect the planning decision
  • Consideration of the local planning permission regulation, unitary planning development rules and any national planning policies.
  • Based on your request we can prepare either outline sketches or detailed plans
  • Assist you in your pre planning application if you decide to do so. Prepare your preplanning application pack
  • OS Maps

Generally the planning process is often long, confusing and uncertain. Over the years the planning and building control departments of various councils have become very bureaucratic and it seems you just jumping the hoops. At Plan B architecture, our business experience and commercial planning expertise gives us realistic and pragmatic perspective to deal with commercial planning applications effectively with the best chance to succeed. We provide objective, clear advice and suggestions that help your business case and achieve the planning permission.

We provide you with open, honest communications and recommendations with various options and alternatives one can take. We make you aware of pros and cons of various options and possible outcomes. We try not to use technical jargon and sales techniques, but rather communicate in a language which our clients can understand clearly and adopt approaches which deliver successful planning permission in one go with minimum hassle.
On account of varying nature of such proposals, our fees can be discussed and agreed on case by case basis. It can be set at a fixed price or an hourly basis.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you assess your chances os gaining planning permission for a development site.

 

Planning Appeals

Planning Appeals

Loft ConversionA Planning Appeal is the route one can take if their planning application has been refused or been passed with conditions by the local planning department. A planning appeal should be used as last resort as generally the appeal process is time consuming and strict in their guidelines to overturn any planning decisions. There is no guarantee the planning decision will be overturned if one simply appeals but every case is considered on its merit.

The key thing to keep in mind is one must show clearly valid reasons for appeal or if they feel the original planning drawings submitted in their applications don’t truly depict their proposal correctly or accurately.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your planning appeals

If you are in such a scenario where you have received the refusal of planning permission, you should contact Plan B architecture at 02084072472 so that we can assist you in your appeal or appropriate alternatives. 
The Planning appeals process is designed for anyone who has applied to their council or national park authority for planning permission, but is unhappy with the resulting decision, or the lack of a decision (which should normally be made within 8 or 13/16 weeks). The regulatory framework supporting the appeal and called-in processes is set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

When applying for appeals it is important to understand the need for appellants to ensure at the outset that their grounds of appeal are clear, precise and comprehensive and relate to the scheme as refused at application stage, without substantial changes which could lead to any party being prejudiced.

Plan B Architecture would like to emphasize that appeal should be considered as a last resort. Please note your dissatisfaction with a planning decision is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. Plan B Architecture will analyze and look for all relevant planning legislation and policy to establish valid grounds with which to Appeal the decision. The key thing to remember is the appeal system should not be used as a bargaining tactic but as the last resort with appellants being ready to proceed with the appeal once it is made.

Time limit to appeal
For householder applications9, the time limit to appeal is 12 weeks from the date of the notice of the decision or determination giving rise to an appeal.

In other cases, appeals should be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate within six months of the date of the local planning authority’s decision notice giving rise to the appeal. 

Grounds of appeal
In all types of appeal it is extremely important that the appellant sets out their full grounds of appeal on the appeal form, responding directly to the reasons for refusal set out in the local
Planning authority’s decision notice. Where an appeal is against the failure of the local planning authority to make a decision, the appeal form should set out clearly why planning permission should be granted for the proposed development.Plan  B architecture can guide you in doing this.

You have 3 routes of appeal that can be used:

  • Written Representations
  • Informal Hearings;
  • Public Inquiries.

Plan B Architecture can help you choose the appropriate route and take you through the process.

Most planning appeals are decided by the written representations method. With this method of appeal, the Inspector considers written evidence from the appellant. The site is also likely to be inspected.

The process followed by Plan B architecture in such cases:

  • We will assess your specific case to assess if there are grounds for appeals.
  • We will advise you on your future course of actions and how we can help you in the process.
  • We will compile all the necessary paperwork, preparing relevant documents, plans and photographs.
  • We will liaise with the Planning Inspectorate throughout the appeal to final decision.

Finally we want to emphasize that the final decision is with the Planning Inspectorate alone, We cannot guarantee success in overturning your planning appeal. Every planning appeals is considered on its own merits. The guideline for overturning of planning refusals is strict.
Any company which guarantees you a positive outcome is frankly being less than honest in their dealings in this matter.Finally as no 2 planning appeal application/cases are same, our fees will vary from appeal to appeal. We provide you with a formal quote to handle your planning appeal after assessing your case.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your planning appeals

Planning Appeals

Planning Appeals

Loft ConversionA Planning Appeal is the route one can take if their planning application has been refused or been passed with conditions by the local planning department. A planning appeal should be used as last resort as generally the appeal process is time consuming and strict in their guidelines to overturn any planning decisions. There is no guarantee the planning decision will be overturned if one simply appeals but every case is considered on its merit.

The key thing to keep in mind is one must show clearly valid reasons for appeal or if they feel the original planning drawings submitted in their applications don’t truly depict their proposal correctly or accurately.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your planning appeals

If you are in such a scenario where you have received the refusal of planning permission, you should contact Plan B architecture at 02084072472 so that we can assist you in your appeal or appropriate alternatives. 
The Planning appeals process is designed for anyone who has applied to their council or national park authority for planning permission, but is unhappy with the resulting decision, or the lack of a decision (which should normally be made within 8 or 13/16 weeks). The regulatory framework supporting the appeal and called-in processes is set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

When applying for appeals it is important to understand the need for appellants to ensure at the outset that their grounds of appeal are clear, precise and comprehensive and relate to the scheme as refused at application stage, without substantial changes which could lead to any party being prejudiced.

Plan B Architecture would like to emphasize that appeal should be considered as a last resort. Please note your dissatisfaction with a planning decision is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. Plan B Architecture will analyze and look for all relevant planning legislation and policy to establish valid grounds with which to Appeal the decision. The key thing to remember is the appeal system should not be used as a bargaining tactic but as the last resort with appellants being ready to proceed with the appeal once it is made.

Time limit to appeal
For householder applications9, the time limit to appeal is 12 weeks from the date of the notice of the decision or determination giving rise to an appeal.

In other cases, appeals should be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate within six months of the date of the local planning authority’s decision notice giving rise to the appeal. 

Grounds of appeal
In all types of appeal it is extremely important that the appellant sets out their full grounds of appeal on the appeal form, responding directly to the reasons for refusal set out in the local
Planning authority’s decision notice. Where an appeal is against the failure of the local planning authority to make a decision, the appeal form should set out clearly why planning permission should be granted for the proposed development.Plan  B architecture can guide you in doing this.

You have 3 routes of appeal that can be used:

  • Written Representations
  • Informal Hearings;
  • Public Inquiries.

Plan B Architecture can help you choose the appropriate route and take you through the process.

Most planning appeals are decided by the written representations method. With this method of appeal, the Inspector considers written evidence from the appellant. The site is also likely to be inspected.

The process followed by Plan B architecture in such cases:

  • We will assess your specific case to assess if there are grounds for appeals.
  • We will advise you on your future course of actions and how we can help you in the process.
  • We will compile all the necessary paperwork, preparing relevant documents, plans and photographs.
  • We will liaise with the Planning Inspectorate throughout the appeal to final decision.

Finally we want to emphasize that the final decision is with the Planning Inspectorate alone, We cannot guarantee success in overturning your planning appeal. Every planning appeals is considered on its own merits. The guideline for overturning of planning refusals is strict.
Any company which guarantees you a positive outcome is frankly being less than honest in their dealings in this matter.Finally as no 2 planning appeal application/cases are same, our fees will vary from appeal to appeal. We provide you with a formal quote to handle your planning appeal after assessing your case.

Call us on 02084072472 if you want us to help you with your planning appeals