Planning Consultancy:
Planning Applications
EN-PLAN routinely prepare and submit planning applications for a variety of proposals, ranging from small to medium sized redevelopments to larger development proposals and unique one-off projects for local developers and individuals. With a background in Local Authority Development Control, our Planning Consultancy Service have an excellent and up-to-date understanding of planning law and legislation. We also prepare listed building applications and Certificates of Lawfulness and can discuss any planning issues that may be affecting you as a third party
Initial work often involves a planning appraisal, which will involve making an assessment of the physical aspects of the site and the relevant planning policies that apply. This background information allows us to formulate a set of parameters that assist in the design process. Initially this may often be in sketch form in order to obtain pre-application advice from the local authority. Once we have established agreement relating to principles such as development, design, layout, scale, mass, density and form, we then progress with a formal planning application.
Planning application submission can be more complex than people think and can often involve submission of a number of supporting documents in order for the local authority to register the application. In most cases a Design and Access Statement is needed to present the proposals and demonstrate how the proposal relates to the site and surroundings and complies with relevant policies. En-Plan are adept at drafting Design and Access statements and present these in a thorough, structured and professional way. Often presentation of proposals can be key to gaining a successful planning permission. An example of our work can be found here.
The documents normally required for a planning application include:
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Site location Plan
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Block Plan
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Existing plans and elevations
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Proposed plans and elevations
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Energy statement
Additional reports that are sometimes required:
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Tree survey
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Biodiversity survey
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Transport Assessment / Highways & Access Statement
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Heritage Statement (Heritage assets)
We work alongside a number of external consultants with the professional expertise to draft these reports and would be happy to assist you with this work as part of our services.
Planning Application Case Studies
The proposal is for the siting of two storage containers located within the Cubbington recreation grounds in an area to the Northeast of the existing Cliff Cleaver Pavilion (community centre), to provide a hobby room for the local community.
The application site is located in Cubbington recreation grounds. The site is owned and maintained by Cubbington Parish Council. The site is host to the Cliff Cleaver Pavilion community centre and a football pitch, used by local football clubs. The recreational grounds can be accessed off Stonehouse Close by car and has a car park on site.
En-Pan were able to demosnstrate with the help orf archietctural visualisation that the scheme would have no impact upon visual or residential amenity in the loccality and as such Warwick District Council granetd approval.
Change of use from martial arts centre (Use Class E(d)) to community hall (Use Class F2(b)) and the installation of 1.83m high boundary wall and railings and gate (Part-Retrospective) - Holy Trinity Church Hall, Holyhead Road, Oakengates, Telford, Shropshire.
The Change of Use application was submitted under reference TWC/2025/0648. With regard to the principle of development, the proposed change of use will see the site being used as a community hall and as per Policy COM1 of the Telford & Wrekin Local Plan, the Council will support new community facilities in order to meet the needs of local residents. Furthermore, from reviewing the planning history of the application site the site has previously been used as a community hall prior to a change of use being granted under TWC/2012/0202 for the site to be used as a martial arts centre. Additionally, the site is located within the urban area of Telford, which is easily accessible and situated within a highly sustainable location. As such, the principle of the change of use if considered acceptable and compliant with Policy COM1 of the Telford & Wrekin Local Plan.
By virtue of the nature of the works and the scale and positioning of the railings and gate, Officers are satisfied that the works will not result in significantly detrimental harm upon the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.
Whilst the application site is situated within a High Risk Coal Mining area, Officers are satisfied that the works are exempt from a Coal Mining Risk Assessment being required. The relevant Coal Authority informative has been included on the decision notice.
Following the formal consultation period, The Local Highways Authority have raised no objection in relation to the works, confirming that the works replicate a similar arrangement to that previously in place. A comment has however been raised stating that currently, the on-street parking arrangement fronting the site allows vehicles to park in front of the gated access and if the Applicant wishes to keep this access point clear, they will need to apply to the Authorities Traffic Management and Streetworks team for ‘White H’ Road Markings. This is separate process to this planning application.
Additionally, given that the neighbouring site (Holy Trinity Church) is a statutorily listed building, the Council’s Built Heritage Team had been consulted and has confirmed that there are no built heritage objections to the scheme. The proposal is not therefore considered to harm the setting of the nearby heritage asset. One letter of support has been submitted from a neighbouring property and no other comments or objections have been raised. Oakengates Town Council have provided a ‘no comment’ response.
As such, the scheme is deemed to be compliant with the Development Plan, Section 66(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and national guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
Further Infomation
If you have a specific planning or plan requirement please contact us to discuss this in more detail on Tel: 07931 541 804. En-Plan Consultants look forward to answering any questions you may have as part of a free no obligation consultation to begin the planning and development process.
