Looking for a planning permission consultant in Hackney, London? What you need to know
Hackney is a vibrant borough in east London, known for its history, culture and green spaces.
With a mix of older and more modern dwellings, it’s become something of a property hotspot with homeowners making the most of their space with creative building projects.
It’s also considered an ideal area for development, given its amenities, transport links and appeal to potential homeowners.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in this desirable area, you may be considering a home renovation, extension project, or loft conversion project. Or you may be a developer, keen to build new homes in this thriving neighbourhood.
You could be thinking about engaging the services of a local architecture firm that has an expert knowledge of local planning policies and a proven track record of gaining planning permission for similar projects, with both planning permission consultant and planning permission architect services offered "under the same roof".
In this post, we’ll explain why this is a good idea and how they can navigate you through the planning permission process.
What does a planning permission consultant do?
A planning permission consultant’s end goal is to achieve planning permission from the relevant local authority for their client.
Gaining planning permission can be a complex and multifaceted procedure, so having a planning permission consultant on board is an excellent way to smooth the way to a successful completed project.
As part of their remit, a planning permission consultant will:
Assess your house or site for development and advise on aspects including design and planning permission.
Create planning permission drawings to submit with your application, when working in collaboration with a planning permission architect.
Collate other supporting documents for your application.
Submit and manage your application.
Research listed building consents, where relevant.
Research local conservation area policies and requirements, where relevant.
Appoint and manage any specialist consultants that may be demanded by the local planning authority, such as arboricultural (tree) consultants, ecology consultants, acoustic consultants, energy efficiency consultants, noise consultants, or transport consultants.
Action planning conditions discharge (the conditions you must fulfil so work can commence).
Act as a point of contact and communication between the local authority and yourself.
Why do I need a planning permission consultant in Hackney, London?
Planning permission is a vital step in your building project, whether it's a renovation or a complete rebuild. Without it, your work could be demolished or you could face significant fines. So having an expert in planning permission on your team can bring a whole range of benefits:
They will save you a significant amount of time, as you won’t have to research the many aspects of your local authority’s planning policies yourself.
A planning permission consultant is also likely to save you money in the long term, knowing how to avoid mistakes that could be costly to put right, either at the design stages or the building stage.
They will be familiar with local authority planning policies and how similar previous projects have panned out before.
They will ensure that your project achieves all of your goals and maximises the potential in terms of usage of space, and that it is aesthetically impressive both internally and externally.
Your planning permission consultant will also be knowledgeable about specific details or restrictions such as controls relating to conservation areas or covenants.
They may also have expertise in other areas of your project — such as specialist consultants, interior design, choosing of materials, and implications on technical/legal matters such as The Party Wall Act — helping you to pull all these strands together.
If they work for an architectural and chartered surveyor firm, they will be able to link you with colleagues who can provide additional, specific services relating to your project.
Planning permission is the central thread that runs through every building project, large or small, so it makes sense to engage the services of an expert who can help guide the way.
How do I find a planning permission consultant in Hackney, London?
A planning permission consultant’s expertise can help make your residential or development project a success.
To find the expert you need, look for a consultant who knows your local area and has a great track record of securing planning permission for projects large and small.
Look to Humphreys & Sons, a local, family business of architects and chartered surveyors, covering London and Essex, including Hackney. We can offer planning permission consultant services — and many others — to help you through your home or development project.
Get in touch to find out how we can help with every stage of your project, including planning permission.
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