Expert Town Planning Advice for Architects and other professionals
Need clear, professional town planning guidance without the complex processes? We provide direct, dedicated access to seasoned town planners specifically for architects, helping you navigate the regulatory landscape with confidence and speed.
Why Choose Direct Access?
In the fast-paced world of design and construction, delays caused by planning issues are costly. Our service is designed to be an extension of your design team, offering quick, reliable, and strategic advice from the initial concept through to final application.
- Speed & Efficiency: Get answers and strategic input when you need them, often within hours, not days or weeks.
- De-Risk Your Projects: Proactively identify planning constraints, policy conflicts, and opportunities before significant design time is invested.
- Strategic Advantage: Access expert knowledge on local development plans, national policy (NPPF/PPW), and relevant case law to build a robust planning strategy.
- Dedicated Support: Speak directly to a planner who understands the pressures and complexities of architectural design.
Our Core Advisory Services
We offer flexible, on-demand support for every stage of your project:
| Service | What We Provide |
| Pre-Application Strategy | Early-stage advice on viability, massing, height, and use class to shape your initial design. |
| Policy Interpretation | Clear analysis of specific Local Plan policies, Design Codes, and S106/CIL requirements relevant to your site. |
| Application Review | A detailed planning health-check of your submission documents (Design & Access Statements, Planning Statements) before they are filed. |
| Appeal Strategy Support | Expert advice on the grounds for appeal and the potential for success, supporting your post-refusal work. |
“Stop guessing. Start building. Get definitive town planning guidance directly from the source.”
Ready to integrate expert planning advice into your next project? Complete the simple form below and one of our team will be in touch.
Our Terms of Service
Our General Terms of Business are set out below and apply to all planning consultancy work being undertaken by the practice. We publish this information freely to ensure that everyone is aware.
Please find as set out below our terms of business.
- General Conditions
1.1 All engagements accepted by Town Planning Expert are subject to the following terms of engagement except where changes are expressly agreed in writing.
1.2 We will observe the byelaws, regulations and ethical guidelines of the Royal Town Planning Institute and accept instructions to act for you on the basis that we will in accordance with those guidelines. Copies of the RTPIs Code of Professional Conduct are available from the RTPIs website www.rtpi.org.uk
1.3 All fees and charges submitted by other specialists sub-contracted by prior agreement with the client shall be the responsibility of and payable by the client.
1.4 Every care will be taken when carrying out client instructions. No responsibility is accepted for errors or matters beyond our reasonable control.
1.5 The practice shall not subcontract any part of the commission without first receiving approval in writing from the client with a clear understanding of responsibilities.
1.6 Quotations for planning work are valid for a fixed period of 14 days from the date of quotation.
- Client Monies
2.1 We may, from time to time, hold money on your behalf. Such money will be held in trust in a client bank account.
- Fees
3.1 Our fees are calculated on the basis of the time we will spend on your affairs and on the level of skill and responsibility involved. Our fees are fixed at the point of engagement and are not negotiable.
3.2 The following costs are invoiced added to fee accounts as disbursements;
Ordnance Survey maps.
Pre-application fees charged by a local authority.
Planning application fees charged by the local authority, paid direct by you to the relevant Planning Authority.
Mileage from the consultants base to the site.
In House Architect fees will be billed separately and are not included within our planning application work and fee.
3.3 Invoices will be submitted on a completed electronically signed Work Order and must be paid in full upon receipt of invoice. We reserve the right to charge interest on any amounts owing at 5% above Bank of England base rate. We reserve the right to suspend work on projects where accounts are outstanding after 20 days, other than by prior agreement. In the event that the Client seeks to cancel prior to delivery of the work instructed this will be carried out in accordance with Clauses 3.5 and 3.6 of these terms and conditions.
3.4 If it is necessary to carry out additional work outside of the agreed brief then this work will involve additional fees. We will provide an estimate of such fees before commencing additional work.
3.5 In the event the Client seeks to cancel this instruction prior to submission to the relevant authority the Consultant reserves the right to recover their costs in preparing abortive work at a rate of £198.00 plus VAT per hour.
3.6 In the event that the Client on completion of an instruction prior to payment seeks to cancel the Consultant reserves the right to recover their costs in abortive administrative work at a fixed rate of £198.00 plus VAT.
3.7. Any delay in receiving information, changes in Client’s instruction or any matter outside our control which leads to additional work may result in an additional fee.
- Limitation of liability
4.1 We will endeavour to provide professional services with reasonable care and skill. However we will not be held responsible for any losses arising from the supply by you or others of incorrect of incomplete information, or a failure of you or others to supply any appropriate information or your failure to act on our advice or respond promptly to communications from us or relevant authorities.
- Law
5.1. This contract is subject to the Laws and Statutes of England and Wales
- Complaints
6.1. Any concerns over the level of service received should be dealt with in the first instance by the Office Manager.
- Acceptance of Terms
7.1. Instruction to proceed with work or services, acceptance of an estimate, acceptance and payment in whole or in part of an invoice and/or instruction to proceed with further works outside of an existing engagement constitutes acceptance of these terms of business.