Planning Branch Ltd

And now for something completely different

Planning Branch is an established and growing local planning and tree consultancy who pride themselves on an honest and comprehensive approach to planning, producing high quality work and achieving the best results for their clients, whatever their needs.

We are based in Penrith, and work all over Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North East.

As a small consultancy we have developed a wide range of specialism’s and abilities. We also have a comprehensive list of professional consultants to provide the services we cannot provide ourselves, including Architects, Ecologists, Surveyors and Highways Engineers.

Planning Branch draws on the considerable expertise of their professional staff who have both worked in Local Planning Authorities in Cumbria and Durham, working up to Manager of Development Control and Senior Planner Levels. Between them they have over 26 years experience working in and with Local Planning Authorities. This has resulted in excellent working relationships with the Local Authorities, and working knowledge of the local policies and interpretation.

Our aim is simple; to be honest in our advice, to be approachable, and to achieve a high standard of work with results that are in our Clients best interests. This ensures a high level of repeat business and recommendations.

We have a qualified Arboriculturist on staff, and are also qualified to carry out Agricultural Appraisals.

The majority of our cases relate to rural based schemes, however we are happy to help with all aspects of planning applications and advice, including:

• Pre Application Advice;
• Agricultural Workers Dwellings;
• Arboricultural advice & Tree Surveys;
• New Houses;
• Extensions to houses;
• Submission of Land for Allocation by Local Authorities;
• Screening Opinions;
• Appeals (Written Representations, Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries);
• Heritage Statements;
• Affordable Housing; and
• Lawful Development Certificates
• Enforcement

Recent projects include: a large mixed use scheme of 46 houses, hotel and business units in the Lake District National Park, new agricultural workers dwellings, redevelopment of houses, agricultural buildings, barn conversions for dwellings and holiday lets, screening opinions for Wind Farms, and community based redevelopment scheme in a Conservation Area.

Local & Strategic Planning: Development Plan Representation

Local & Strategic Planning: Green Belt

Local & Strategic Planning: Development Briefs

Local & Strategic Planning: Local Plans

Local & Strategic Planning: Statements of Community Involvement

Conservation: Design Layout

Conservation: Ancient Monuments

Conservation: Conservation Areas

Conservation: Historic Building Restoration

Conservation: Historic Towns / Sites

Conservation: Listed Buildings

Conservation: Rural Conservation

Conservation: Urban Conservation

Conservation: World Heritage Sites

Legal: Appeals

Countryside & Environment: Renewable Energy Sources

Countryside & Environment: AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty)

Countryside & Environment: Environmental Impact Assessments

Countryside & Environment: Environmental Statements

Countryside & Environment: Gypsy / Traveller Sites

Countryside & Environment: National Parks

Countryside & Environment: Rural Regeneration

Countryside & Environment: Rights of Way

Countryside & Environment: SSSI (Special Sites of Scientific Interest)

Countryside & Environment: Tree Preservation Orders

Countryside & Environment: Visual Impact Assessments

Countryside & Environment: Wind Farms

Countryside & Environment: Wetlands

Countryside & Environment: Wildlife Centres / Trusts

Countryside & Environment: Coastal Planning

Countryside & Environment: Country Parks

Countryside & Environment: Green Belt

Countryside & Environment: Code for Sustainable Homes

Countryside & Environment: Appropriate Assessment (Habitats Regulations)

Agriculture: DEFRA - Consultancy Advice

Agriculture: Planning & Development

Agriculture: Development Viabilities

Agriculture: Development Applications

Agriculture: Agricultural Developments

Agriculture: Barn Conversions

Agriculture: Diversification

Agriculture: Estates

Agriculture: Farms

Agriculture: Horticulture

Agriculture: Liveries

Agriculture: Small Holdings

Business: Advertisements / Canopies / Blinds

Business: Business and Science Parks

Business: Change of Use

Business: Car Parking / Access

Business: Enforcement

Business: Extensions / Alterations of Premises

Business: Lawful Development Certificates

Business: New Premises

Business: Working from Home

Business: Flood Risk Assessments

Business: Offices

Design: Design Layout

Design: Architecture

Design: Crime Prevention Design

Design: Masterplanning

Design: Urban Design

Economic Development: Development Strategies

Economic Development: Economic Research

Economic Development: Feasibility Studies

Neighbourhood & Community Planning: Community and Stakeholder Consultation Events

Neighbourhood & Community Planning: Planning for Real & Trade

Neighbourhood & Community Planning: Public Participation

Neighbourhood & Community Planning: Schools / Community Buildings

Neighbourhood & Community Planning: Village/Town Appraisals

Neighbourhood & Community Planning: Village Design Statements

Health Planning: Crematoriums

Health Planning: Nursing Homes

Housing: Affordable Housing

Housing: Appeals

Housing: Applications

Housing: Boundaries / Curtilage

Housing: Car Parking

Housing: Housing Needs Studies

Housing: House Extensions

Housing: Light Issues

Housing: Objections

Housing: Residential Developments

Housing: Social Housing

Housing: Code for Sustainable Homes

Housing: Flood Risk Assessments

Housing: Housing Design Layout

Industrial: Heavy Industry

Industrial: Light Industry

Industrial: Telecommunications

Industrial: Mobile Phone Masts

Industrial: Utilities

Information Technology: Development Control Application Systems

Information Technology: GIS

Information Technology: Internet

Information Technology: Local Authority IT Guidance / Systems

Negotiation & Dispute Resolution: Expert Witness

Negotiation & Dispute Resolution: Planning Gain

Negotiation & Dispute Resolution: Section 106 Agreements

Research: Local and Strategic Housing Market Assessments

Research: Housing Needs Assessments

Research: Viability and Planning Assessments and Inquiries

Research: Feasibility Studies

Research: Land Availabiltiy Studies

Research: Research / Surveys

Research: Site Appraisals

Retail: Advertisements / Canopies / Blinds

Retail: Car Boot Sales

Retail: Change of Use

Retail: Factory Outlet Centres

Retail: Markets

Retail: Motorway Service Areas

Retail: Out of Town Sites

Retail: Retail Impact Studies

Retail: Shops

Retail: Supermarkets

Retail: Town Centres

Retail: Town Centre Management

Retail: Site Design Layout

Tourism & Leisure: Sport & Recreational Strategies

Tourism & Leisure: Caravan Parks / Camping Sites

Tourism & Leisure: Cinemas

Tourism & Leisure: Golf Courses

Tourism & Leisure: Guest Houses / B&B

Tourism & Leisure: Fast Food / Take Away Outlets

Tourism & Leisure: Health Clubs

Tourism & Leisure: Hotels

Tourism & Leisure: Playing Fields

Tourism & Leisure: Public Houses

Tourism & Leisure: Restaurants

Tourism & Leisure: Stadiums

Tourism & Leisure: Swimming Baths

Tourism & Leisure: Tourism

Tourism & Leisure: Wildlife Centres / Zoos

Transport: Car Parks

Transport: Cycle Ways

Transport: Travel Plans

Urban Regeneration: Design

Urban Regeneration: Brownfield Sites

Minerals & Waste: Waste Recycling

Enforcement: Investigation

Enforcement: Appeals

Enforcement: Remedial Action

Renewable Energy: Wind Power

Renewable Energy: Solar Power

Renewable Energy: Biomass

Renewable Energy: Anaerobic Digestion

Employment: Distribution and Warehousing

Employment: Offices