Planning Services

Brownshore Management has over 20 years of Town Planning across public and private sector roles. This experience has been gained in development management and planning policy roles across a diverse portfolio of developments including residential, commercial, renewable energy, minerals, waste, and retail.
Our experience includes EIA Screening Opinions, EIA Environmental Statements, planning applications, discharge of conditions, ROMP applications, and monitoring of operational mineral sites.

Planning Applications

Our key work includes assessing and drafting of planning applications or appeals. A primary function in our service is to frontload the planning process and this is often of major importance in terms of engaging with the Local Planning Authority and Stakeholders.

At this stage our experience and skills facilitate effective liaison and negotiation with the Local Planning Authority and their Statutory Consultees, this is crucial in securing success and minimising delays.

We work across all sectors, including:-

Housing – Householder to New Build
Care Homes and Retirement Living
Town Centre and Retail
Leisure Uses
Office, Commercial, Industrial Units
Energy, Biomass, Anaerobic Digestion
Minerals and Waste

Appeals

Planning applications and the planning process offer the ability to work proactively with the Local Planning Authority. Our background, knowledge and character mean we will focus on the facts and provide a robust case with clear advice.
Our appeals experience include written representations, hearings and public inquiries. This also includes appearing as an expert witness and being cross-examined by the opposing Barrister.

Planning Enforcement

Receiving notification of enforcement action from the Local Planning Authority can result in unexpected delays in progressing with a development.
We assess the situation and its implications, seek a robust and proactive solution, and where possible negotiate a successful strategy to protect interests into the future.
If an enforcement notice is received then prompt action is required and it is necessary to act quickly. This prompt action follows clear and established methods in order to ensure matters are addressed throughout the process.

Lawful Development Certificates

Development may occur including the erection of buildings or the change of use of land and property without the benefit of planning permission.
This may occur, for example, because the need for planning permission was not known at the time the development or a change of use took place.
In certain circumstances, where the development occurred some time ago and the Council has not taken enforcement action in the meantime, it is possible to apply for a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) to regularise the planning situation. In other circumstances, it is possible to obtain a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development (CLOPUD).

Listing Building Consent

We have a broad and detailed experience of working with developments relating to Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other related designated / non-designated heritage assets.
Listed Building Consent falls under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. This Act aligns closely, but remains separate, to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Works to a Listed Building are expected to require Listed Building Consent, where the works will also require planning permission a planning application will also be submitted. It is standard practice to submit the two applications concurrently to allow a Case Officer to consider the combined effects of the development proposals.

Change of Use

'Change of use' can occur within the same use class or from one use class to another. Depending on the specifics of any proposed change of use, including any building work associated with the proposal, it may require an application for planning permission or prior approval.
The prior approval process is used when a change of use is permitted but the Local Planning Authority needs to confirm this and other associated details.

Discharge of Conditions

A Local Planning Authority may grant permission, but with attached planning conditions. Selected conditions will require approval by the planning authority before development commences, others will be compliance conditions.
Conditions imposed on a planning permissions are set out in the decision notice. The principle and wording of planning conditions will vary depending on each development and they will be tailored to deal with specific issues (i.e. ecology, highways, design, landscaping, noise etc).
Discharging conditions is expected to be a straightforward process, however there will be occasions where detailed discussions with statutory consultees are required to mediate matters.

Mineral Planning

Minerals are an essential product related to varied markets including the construction and energy industries. Our experience includes primary and secondary aggregates, quarries (hard rock / sandstone / sand and gravel), and coal. Our experience includes the EIA process, planning applications, discharge of conditions, restoration / aftercare, and monitoring of operational sites.