Find Planning Specialists
Browse verified professionals with proven track records on real planning applications across the UK. Select a specialist type below to find the right expert for your project.
Planning Specialist Types
Sustainability Consultants
Sustainability consultants play a central role in modern planning applications, ensuring developments meet energy efficiency targets and environmental standards. They prepare BREEAM assessments, energy strategies, and sustainability statements that local planning authorities require as part of the application process.
Planning Consultants
Planning consultants guide developments through the planning system from pre-application advice through to approval and condition discharge. They prepare planning statements, design and access statements, and coordinate the specialist reports that councils require for validation.
Ecologists
Ecologists are essential for planning applications on sites that may support protected species or habitats. They carry out Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), phase 2 species surveys, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments now mandatory under the Environment Act 2021.
Arborists
Arborists prepare the tree surveys and arboricultural assessments that councils require when development may affect trees. A BS 5837 tree survey categorises trees by quality and value, while an Arboricultural Impact Assessment identifies which trees are affected and how impacts can be mitigated.
Heritage Consultants
Heritage consultants are needed when development affects listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, or other heritage assets. They prepare heritage statements and heritage impact assessments that demonstrate how the proposal affects the significance of heritage assets, as required by the NPPF.
Drainage Engineers
Drainage engineers design surface water and foul drainage systems for developments, ensuring compliance with planning requirements and adoption standards. They prepare drainage strategies, SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) designs, and flood risk assessments that councils and Lead Local Flood Authorities require.
Acoustic Consultants
Acoustic consultants assess noise and vibration impacts for planning applications where development is near noise sources or may generate noise itself. They prepare noise impact assessments, sound insulation designs, and plant noise assessments using standards like BS 4142, BS 8233, and WHO guidelines.
Fire Consultants
Fire consultants prepare fire safety strategies and fire statements required for planning applications, particularly for buildings over 18 metres or with residential uses. Since the introduction of Planning Gateway One following the Building Safety Act 2022, a fire statement is mandatory for applications involving relevant buildings.
Landscape Architects
Landscape architects design the external spaces and planting schemes that form part of planning applications, from residential gardens to public realm masterplans. They prepare landscape designs, planting plans, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs), and landscape management plans.
Flood Risk Consultants
Flood risk consultants prepare Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) required for developments in Flood Zones 2 and 3, or for major developments in Flood Zone 1. They carry out sequential tests, exception tests, and design flood mitigation measures including finished floor levels, flood resilience measures, and surface water management.
Contamination Specialists
Contamination specialists assess land contamination risks for developments on previously used or industrial land. They prepare Phase 1 desk studies, Phase 2 site investigations, remediation strategies, and verification reports.
Bat Specialists
Bat specialists carry out the surveys and licensing required when development may affect bat roosts. All UK bat species and their roosts are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
CDM Coordinators
CDM coordinators (now typically serving as Principal Designers) ensure construction projects comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. They prepare pre-construction information packs, construction phase plans, and health and safety files.
Transport Consultants
Transport consultants prepare transport assessments, travel plans, and highway design that local planning authorities and highways departments require for developments generating significant traffic. Their work covers junction capacity analysis, traffic surveys, parking studies, access design, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, and public transport accessibility assessments.
Archaeologists
Archaeologists prepare the desk-based assessments and field evaluations that councils require when development may affect archaeological remains. An archaeological desk-based assessment reviews historic mapping, HER records, and known heritage assets to assess archaeological potential.
Geotechnical Engineers
Geotechnical engineers investigate ground conditions and design foundations for developments on challenging or unknown ground. They carry out ground investigations including boreholes, trial pits, and laboratory testing, producing geotechnical assessment reports that inform foundation design and earthworks.
Daylight Consultants
Daylight consultants prepare daylight, sunlight, and overshadowing assessments for planning applications where development may affect light to neighbouring properties or where adequate light within new dwellings must be demonstrated. Their work follows BRE guidelines (BR 209), assessing Vertical Sky Component (VSC), daylight distribution, Annual Probable Sunlight Hours (APSH), and overshadowing of amenity spaces.
Air Quality Consultants
Air quality consultants assess the air quality impacts of development, both on future occupants and on surrounding areas. They prepare air quality assessments, dust management plans, and Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) that councils require for sites in or near Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).
Viability Consultants
Viability consultants prepare Financial Viability Assessments (FVAs) for planning applications where the developer argues that policy-compliant affordable housing or Section 106 contributions would make the scheme unviable. Their assessments model development costs, revenues, land values, and profit margins to demonstrate whether the proposed scheme can support the full policy requirement or whether a reduced contribution is justified.
Japanese Knotweed Specialists
Japanese knotweed specialists survey for and manage Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), an invasive non-native species that can cause structural damage and is subject to legal controls under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Their work covers knotweed identification surveys, management plans, herbicide treatment programmes, and excavation and disposal.
Radon Specialists
Radon specialists assess radon gas risk for developments in affected areas and design mitigation measures. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings, and Public Health England identifies affected areas across the UK.
Telecommunications Consultants
Telecommunications consultants advise on the planning aspects of telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile phone masts, small cells, fixed-line cabinets, and broadband equipment. They prepare planning applications under Part 16 of the General Permitted Development Order and full planning applications where permitted development rights do not apply.
Asbestos Surveyors
Asbestos surveys and management