The planning and development process is complex with many factors influencing the outcome. Deploying resources is only half the story. Having the right strategy is much more important to success. Being aware and anticipating changing circumstances means that the strategy should respond and adapt, sometimes very quickly.

Landowners have frequently remarked on the quality of our decision-making and the effective handling of our projects. It has been the reason that so many of our sites have been supported locally and released early without the need for a planning appeal whilst other companies have been rejected and forced into a planning appeal with uncertainty, risk and delay.

If you compare our record with other companies you would find that we almost always avoid the need for planning appeals and secure permission in the shortest possible time which reduces the risks and delays. The key elements of our approach are as follows:

Planning Strategy

Our team has decades of experience securing planning permissions and navigating the planning and development process. Every site is different and requires a thorough analysis of the technical, policy and political context before conceiving the optimum planning strategy.

At the heart of the process is devising the most effective way to secure planning permission within the agreement period. This involves careful consideration of timing, not just in relation to formal development plan stages but also pre-application discussion and public engagement in parallel with the Council's work on their development plan.

It also involves monitoring and analysing housing land supply in order to take advantage of any housing land supply and delivery shortfalls to bring sites forward ahead of the development plan if that is feasible and appropriate.

It requires a comprehensive set of site surveys to inform the amount of development, mix of uses, type of dwellings and informing the spatial masterplan. We only use the best consultant teams and will ensure that each technical area is assigned the 'best in class' professionals and experts. Each masterplan is devised with a multi-disciplinary approach, whereby the drainage, ecology, landscape, transport and other issues are all integrated throughout the design process.

Masterplan-led proposals

Every site will start with a vision document that sets out the development potential of the site for the Local Planning Authority and the relevant Neighbourhood Planning group in the locality. This will set out the opportunities and constraints of the site and explain how the proposed design concept responds positively to these.

The vision document forms the basis of early engagement with planning officers, local politicians and community groups. It is used as the basis for responding to any "Call for Sites" and justifying an allocation in the emerging local and neighbourhood plans. This will usually form the basis of an outline planning application to meet an identified housing requirement, where a masterplan will be supported by a comprehensive pack of technical reports.

Green infrastructure-led approach

It is important that any proposal makes good use of the existing natural assets such as trees, hedgerows and other wildlife features. Many sites will be able to provide a network of natural and semi natural areas which have a number of related functions such as landscape enhancement, recreation/play, biodiversity, sustainable drainage and reduction of flood risk. The Local Planning Authorities are more supportive of schemes that put green infrastructure at the heart of the design process, rather than just as an afterthought.

Enhancement of public access and connections

One of the key masterplanning aspects is the provision of a movement framework that prioritises pedestrian and cycle movement. Masterplans are structured around the movement of people through the side and into the surrounding area, with particular attention paid to public transport connections. Often there will be a package of highway and other off-site improvements which will need careful negotiation with the Highway Authority. Through the Transport Assessment work, the impacts of proposals are thoroughly analysed and any issues addressed as part of the planning application.

Delivery of public facilities

It is increasingly important that development proposals address social infrastructure such as education, health, sport, recreation and local centres. Land and Partners have led the way in terms of providing a package of public benefits that are directly related to the delivery of new homes. These include new sports pitches, changing rooms, community halls, food growing opportunities, local shops and cafés. At the same time, we are experienced at scrutinising draft legal agreements and negotiating with local planning authorities to ensure that any requests for affordable housing and off-site infrastructure contributions are legally justified.

Positive public engagement

For the planning process to work effectively, land promoters must work in partnership with local communities to achieve a positive outcome for all parties. We believe that the key to our success is our collaborative approach and commitment to delivering sensitively designed developments tailored to the character of the local area and which are well-received by local people. We have extensive hands-on experience of running public exhibitions and working positively with community groups and Town/Parish councils to tailor schemes to the preferences of those living nearby where appropriate.