Vail Williams Planning Brochure

Planning Consultancy Expertise covering everything from the usual to the unusual

Our approach Trust your next planning project to people who will really care about it The Vail Williams Planning team are a versatile group of enthusiastic planning experts with a range of skill sets that cover all areas of planning consultancy.

There are of course many companies that can claim the same but it is our award winning client service and strong company values that we think really set us apart.

Our values – that we Listen, Care, Innovate and Lead will become abundantly clear from the outset when you see how well we listen to your instructions and objectives.

WE LISTEN We are open, approachable and inclusive; we communicate with clarity.

WE INNOVATE We embrace change and challenge thinking through collaboration and insight.

WE CARE We build trust and respect by demonstrating integrity, honesty and appreciating everyone’s contribution.

WE LEAD We enable people, teams and organisations to develop, achieve and realise ambition.

We split our wealth of planning expertise down into specialist areas as follows: Residential

Commercial

Health, Education & Leisure

Strategic Planning

Local Authorities

Expert Witness

Residential The size of residential schemes we deal with ranges from large developments of several hundred houses down to new or replacement single dwellings.

Vail Williams represents a significant number of local, regional and national house-builders as well as individuals and other organisations.

Residential schemes are often controversial, so wherever possible, our approach is to establish an immediate dialogue and engage with key stakeholders straight away to highlight any issues and seek resolutions.

Consequently, our team successfully engages with Council Leaders, Directors and all influential bodies in the regions.

We pride ourselves on local knowledge, networking and negotiating skills to ensure we leverage these relationships to achieve the best outcome.

We work closely with our in-house development team, offering viability and strategic development advice.

Commercial Commercial development is a core focus of VW’s property consultancy services. The Planning team is an integral part of a collaborative approach with our regional agency, investment, development surveys, viewing property and land in a strategic context. We have worked on schemes and ensured that they are British Council for Offices compliant.

Our strong local, regional and wider national experience provides clients with an in-depth understanding of the key issues and challenges when dealing with Local Planning Authorities. We also work in partnership with colleagues from our Development and Valuation departments to ensure a deliverable and viable end result.

Close working relationships are essential, allied with practical advice and an innovative approach to the planning process. These elements serve to support a ‘can do’ attitude where clients, the project team and LPAs work together to enhance value and aid sustainable economic growth.

Our team engages with Council Leaders, Directors and influential bodies.

We advise many developers, investors and owner-occupiers in identifying sites for commercial development and support clients through all stages of the planning process.

Health, Education & Leisure We also have detailed ‘non commercial’ experience particularly in the education, health, leisure and community sectors.

We have a sound understanding of the operational complexities of working with public sector and institutional organisations such as the NHS, LPA’s and universities. In particular, we have assisted in the delivery of hospitals, libraries, community centres, schools, university buildings and science parks.

By working for a number of health care providers, we understand the challenges and opportunities faced in future-proofing development for hospitals and specialist care accommodation through the delivery of modern models of care. Our objective is to understand clinical strategies or business plans to deliver fit for purpose buildings often in deadline critical circumstances.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have experience in more quirky, niche projects such as port developments, beach huts, nature trails and other community projects. These projects often raise bespoke or unusual challenges requiring innovative solutions. Partnership working with agencies, stakeholders, residents and the LPAs is central to the success of these projects.

Strategic Planning Whilst many proposals can be brought forward for immediate development, others may require a longer term strategic approach utilising consistent and clear site promotion objectives throughout the plan-making process.

Either way, our Planning team can advise you on the complexities and significant benefits of site promotion. We actively engage with local authorities, parish councils, key stakeholders and other influential bodies to promote your site.

The increasing importance of Neighbourhood Plans as part of the adopted Development Plan is also a way of promoting your site.

Vail Williams Planners, are well placed to scrutinise emerging plans, submit representations and respond to LPA ‘Calls for Sites’ supported by colleagues in Development, Investment and Building Consultancy.

It’s our ability to dissect and understand the wider market implications that greatly enhance the promotional prospects for securing a site allocation.

Local Authorities We have close relationships with more local authorities across the country working alongside them in a consultancy role.

Our Planning team has a wealth of public sector experience and a thorough understanding of the political background and decision making process within which local authorities work. Understandably, it is not always easy or possible for LPAs to represent themselves in a planning capacity and this is where we can assist, delivering integrated planning and development services, cost savings, expert advice and specialist project work.

We can provide the following services to local authorities:

• Development appraisals and integrated viability and commercial advice to identify the maximum potential and value of sites.

• Expert witness, acting for Councils at planning appeals.

• Submission of planning applications.

• The promotion of sites for development.

• Advice and representations on local planning policies and projects.

Expert Witness Our Planning team always aim to secure planning permission in the first instance at a local level through dialogue and engagement. However, this is not always possible. Sometimes a revised submission is necessary, an appeal is required or a combination of resubmission and appeals may be needed. In any of these scenarios we offer expert planning advice on the best way to proceed and where necessary, provide Expert Witness representation for all stages of a planning appeal.

We can provide expert witness evidence in relation to the following:

• Section 78 appeals and applications called-in by the Secretary of State.

• Written representations.

• Informal hearings.

• Public inquiries.

• UK court proceedings, including Judicial Reviews.

• Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan Examinations and Hearings.

As members of the Royal Town Planning Institute we have direct access to legal professionals and can instruct them directly to work alongside Counsel. We can advise on the most successful course of appeal, engage with legal advisers where appropriate and provide high quality, well-written evidence.

Working with Local Planning Authorities london We have worked closely with Local Authorities across a wide area from our network of regional offices.

birmingham thames valley

Reading and Heathrow

surrey Woking

solent

Portsmouth Southampton

gatwick Crawley

a Arun District Council

a Isle of Wight Council

a Southampton City Council

a Babergh District Council

a South Bucks District Council

a Birmingham City Council

a Lewes and Eastbourne District Council

a Bournemouth Borough Council

a London Borough’s

a Stroud District Council

a Brighton and Hove City Council

a City of Westminster

a Surrey County Council

a Chichester District Council

a Mid Devon District Council

a Surrey Heath Borough Council

a Coventry City Council

a Mid Sussex District Council

a Swale Borough Council

a Crawley Borough Council

a Mole Valley District Council

a Test Valley Borough Council

a East Devon District Council

a New Forest District Council

a Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

a East Hampshire District Council

a New Forest National Park Authority

a Uttlesford District Council

a Eastleigh Borough Council

a North Devon Council

a Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

a East Lincolnshire County Council

a North Dorset District Council

a Warwick District Council

a Elmbridge Borough Council

a Borough of Poole

a Waverley Borough Council

a Epsom and Ewell District Council

a Portsmouth City Council

a West Berkshire Council

a Exeter Borough Council

a Purbeck District Council

a Winchester City Council

a Fareham Borough Council

a Reading Borough Council

a Woking Borough Council

a Gateshead Borough Council

a Reigate and Banstead District Council

a Wokingham Borough Council

a Gosport Borough Council

a Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

a Wycombe District Council

a Guildford Borough Council a Hart District Council a Havant Borough Council a Hinkley and Bosworth Borough Council a Horsham District Council

a Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead a Rushmoor Borough Council a Runnymede Borough Council a Slough Borough Council

a Spelthorne Borough Council

The of a successful Planning Application We have outlined 10 crucial stages where we can help you achieve a successful planning application. Each one needs precision, care and detailed stewardship through to its conclusion. Our team are experienced in the complexities of each stage and the way they ‘overlap’ that is required to achieve your objectives.

Depending on your project and requirements we can complete all 10 steps from start to finish or execute certain steps as required.

SITE IDENTIFICATION

SITE PROMOTION to Local Authorities

CONSULTATION & ENGAGEMENT

PRE APPLICATION DISCUSSIONS PLANNING APPLICATION

port Trans rials e t a M ding Floo

TO APPLICATION DISCHARGE OF CONDITIONS

IMPLEMENTATION

PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED

COMPLETION OF PROJECT

See overleaf for detailed explanation of each step...

1 Choosing the right site is the first step in any successful planning application. We can advise on any planning constraints which may require technical input to address or which may affect your chances of planning success for both greenfield sites and previously developed land.

2 If you have a long term interest in greenfield land or previously developed sites, promotion could improve chances of planning success. We would help you by tracking to progress of a Council’s Local Plan process, submitting representations on your behalf regarding your site’s suitability for the delivery of new development.

3 Early engagement with the Local Planning Authority is important in resolving matters prior to the submission of a planning application but is also key in building relationships with planning officers and others who are involved in the planning process.

4 Communication with key stakeholders is vital in helping in the success of planning applications, this can include public consultation events, meetings with local interest groups and local councillors and media updates. Schemes can often evolve as a result of this engagement.

5 Preparation of the necessary planning documents to support a planning application. We can also manage third party consultants on technical matters which may be required to support a planning application. We will continue to regularly advise after the application has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority.

6 We seek to work with the Local Planning Authority to resolve any matters arising through the determination period to give the greatest possible chance of planning success whilst minimising planning conditions attached to a decision notice.

7 Provision of technical details to enable the principle of development to be acceptable. We work hard to seek to minimise the number of pre-commencement conditions attached to a decision notice to avoid delays to commencement of construction. We will also advise on timings of pre-occupation conditions and where conditions must be complied with.

8 After planning permission is obtained and contractor is appointed often amendments are required to a scheme for construction purposes or after a value engineering exercise. Alternatively timings on a programme may have changed and time specific conditions may require amending.

9 We will advise on when you can put a ‘spade in the ground’ and when a planning permission has been lawfully implemented.

10

Once construction is complete we can confirm whether all conditions have been complied with and the development has been constructed in accordance with the planning permission. We can also advise on any post-completion matters which you may have.

Sign off We mentioned our values at the start but they are worth re-iterating as we really believe they are the reason we consistently meet and beat our clients’ expectations.

Talking of clients – we work with an impressive range of them as well as local authorities and have a huge portfolio of case studies detailing planning projects of every size and hue (some of which you will find contained in the adjacent flap).

We have the skills to work on every stage of the planning process from site search to commencement but are equally at home being brought in as required to consult on specialist aspects. We look forward to the chance to discuss your next planning project in more detail.

WE LISTEN We are open, approachable and inclusive; we communicate with clarity.

WE INNOVATE We embrace change and challenge thinking through collaboration and insight.

WE CARE We build trust and respect by demonstrating integrity, honesty and appreciating everyone’s contribution.

WE LEAD We enable people, teams and organisations to develop, achieve and realise ambition.

Our offices: Birmingham

Gatwick

Birmingham Edmund House 12-22 Newhall Street Birmingham B3 3EF T: +44 (0)121 654 1065

Crawley Unit 4 Peveril Court 6-8 London Road Crawley, West Sussex RH10 8JE T: +44 (0)1293 612600

Solent Portsmouth Lakeside North Harbour Western Road Portsmouth PO6 3EN T: +44 (0)2392 203200

Southampton Savannah House 3 Ocean Way Ocean Village Southampton SO14 3TJ T: +44 (0)2380 820900

London London Dover House 34 Dover Street London W1S 4NG T: +44 (0)20 3589 0050

Surrey Woking One Crown Square Woking Surrey GU21 6HR T: +44 (0)1483 446800

Our services: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Building Consultancy Business Rates Consultancy Commercial Property Investment Lease Advisory LPA Receivership Marine and Leisure Occupier Advisory Property Acquisition and Disposal Property Asset Management Property Development Consultancy Property Planning Consultancy Property Valuation

Thames Valley Heathrow 450 Bath Road West Drayton Heathrow UB7 0EB T: +44 (0)2085 648300

Reading 550 Thames Valley Park Drive Reading RG6 1PT T: +44 (0)118 909 7400

Visit us: www.vailwilliams.com Vail Williams

@vailwilliams

Vail Williams LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership, registered in England (number OC319702). Registered office: 550 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT. Any reference to a Partner means a Member of Vail Williams LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. A full list of Members is open for inspection at the registered office.

Regulated by RICS

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