Planning Consultancy Services

Cedar Planning provides clear, honest and expert planning advice to homeowners, landowners, architects and developers across England. Whether you need support with a planning application, planning objection, appeal, or a specialist report, we deliver practical, policy-based consultancy tailored to your goals.

We help clients navigate the planning system with confidence, ensuring proposals are well-presented, compliant, and positioned for the best possible outcome.

Specialist Planning Consultancy Small Developers and Homeowners

We understand that planning can feel complicated, technical and time-consuming. Cedar Planning brings professional planning expertise to your project, offering guidance at every stage — from feasibility and pre-application strategy to full planning submissions, objections and appeals.

Our consultancy services include:

• Pre-application advice

• Feasibility assessments

• Planning statements and supporting documents

• Planning objections

• Planning appeals

• Heritage statements

• Flood Risk sequential tests

• Retail sequential tests

• Green Belt and Grey Belt policy advice

• Design and development support

• Development support

• Retained consultancy support

• Representations on Local Plans and consultations

We take pride in delivering planning advice that is easy to understand, actionable and aligned with local and national policy.

Why Choose Cedar Planning?

• ✅ Clear, Honest Advice: We provide realistic guidance based on planning policy, past decisions and local authority expectations - no misleading promises.

• ✅ Professional Expertise: Work is undertaken by RTPI-chartered planning professional (MRTPI) with experience in both public and private sector decision-making.

• ✅ Strong Understanding of Local Plans and National Policy: We apply knowledge of the NPPF, Local Plan policies, design guides and case law to strengthen your application or representation.

• ✅ A Personal, Client-Focused Approach: You work directly with a dedicated planning consultant who takes time to understand your aims and constraints.

• ✅ Fast Response and Efficient Service: Planning is deadline-driven. We act quickly, clearly and with full attention to detail.

Planning Applications

We prepare, manage and submit planning applications for all forms of development including:

• New dwellings

• Change of use

• Replacement dwellings

• Commercial projects

• Renewable energy projects

• Barn conversions

• Annexes and outbuildings

• Extensions and alterations

• Small development schemes

• Projects within the Green Belt

Our application support includes policy analysis, planning statements, design justification, and liaison with the local planning authority.

Pre-Application Advice and Feasibility Assessments

Before you invest in plans or surveys, we assess whether your proposal is likely to succeed.

We identify:

• Key policy constraints

• Areas of possible objection

• Opportunities to strengthen the proposal

• What the council is likely to accept or resist

This helps you make informed decisions early in the process.

Planning Objections

If you are concerned about a nearby development, we prepare clear, structured planning objections that highlight:

• Loss of light

• Privacy and overlooking

• Overdevelopment

• Design and character issues

• Traffic, parking and access

• Green Belt impacts

• Noise and disturbance

• Heritage and conservation concerns

Our objections are based strictly on material planning considerations to maximise their influence.

Planning Appeals

If your application is refused, Cedar Planning can help you appeal through:

• Householder appeals

• Written representations appeals

• Planning statements and rebuttals

• Review of council refusal reasons

• Identification of policy conflicts and strengths

We give honest assessments on whether an appeal is appropriate and the prospects of success.

Our Planning Consultancy Services

Green Belt and Grey Belt Planning

We advise on development within the Green Belt and emerging Grey Belt policies, including:

• Very Special Circumstances assessments

• Infill development

• Extensions and replacement dwellings

• Openness and character considerations

Green Belt policy is complex — our expertise ensures your case is presented robustly and professionally.

Heritage Statements

Many planning applications affecting listed buildings, conservation areas, or non-designated heritage assets require a Heritage Statement. Cedar Planning prepares clear, professional assessments that:

• identify the heritage significance

• assess impacts of development

• reference legislation and policy

• justify the proposal

Heritage statements are often required to validate an application. Our reports ensure your proposal is properly presented and supported.

Sequential Test - Flood Risk

Where a site lies within Flood Zone 2 or 3, many applications require a Sequential Test to demonstrate that:

1. No suitable alternative sites exist in areas of lower flood risk

2. The proposed location is necessary and justified

3. The development is safe and compliant with national and local flood risk policy

Cedar Planning prepares Sequential Tests that:

• Identify alternative sites

• Assess their suitability and availability

• Demonstrate why the proposed site is appropriate

• Reference the NPPF and local flood risk policies

We also coordinate with flood risk consultants where needed. We provide standalone Sequential Tests or full support as part of a planning application package.

Sequential Test – Retail / Town Centre Uses

For retail, leisure, office and other “main town centre uses” proposed outside designated centres, the NPPF requires a Retail Sequential Test.

Cedar Planning prepares Retail Sequential Tests that:

• Define the appropriate catchment area

• Identify available sequentially preferable sites within town centres

• Assess suitability, availability and viability

• Justify out-of-centre or edge-of-centre proposals

• Demonstrate compliance with NPPF paragraph 90 and relevant Local Plan policy

These tests significantly influence council decisions and require careful, evidence-led assessment.

Planning for Architects

Cedar Planning works alongside architects to provide clear, policy-led planning advice that strengthens design proposals and improves the likelihood of approval. We support architectural practices at every stage of the design and planning process, ensuring projects are robust, compliant and well-justified in planning terms.

Our services for architects include:

• Early-stage policy advice to guide concept design

• Feasibility assessments and constraints analysis

• Pre-application planning strategy

• Preparation of planning statements and design justification

• Support with Heritage Statements and impact assessments

• Sequential Tests for retail and flood risk

• Review of local and national planning policy

• Response to council feedback and negotiation

• Planning appeals where required

We act as an extension of your design team, helping you deliver schemes that are both well-designed and defensible in planning policy terms. Whether you need technical planning input for a single application or ongoing consultancy support, Cedar Planning provides reliable, professional planning expertise for architects across England.

We offer ongoing retained consultancy packages for practices needing regular planning input.

Local Plan Representations

We prepare professional Local Plan representations on behalf of landowners, developers, businesses and community groups. Whether you are looking to promote a site for allocation, object to a proposed development, or influence emerging planning policy, we provide clear, evidence-based submissions that councils must take into account.

With direct experience working inside Local Authorities on Local Plan preparation, we understand how allocation decisions are made and what carries weight. A Chartered Town Planner can guide you through all stages of the Local Plan process, including Call for Sites, Regulation 18 and Regulation 19 consultations and Examinations.

Areas We Cover

Based in the East of England, we offer planning consultancy services across all of England, with particular expertise in:

• Norfolk

• Suffolk

• Essex

• London

• Cambridgeshire

• Surrey

• Manchester

• Birmingham

Who We Work With

• Developers

• Architects

• Homeowners

• Landowners

• Neighbours affected by development

• Architects and designers

• Community groups and parish councils

Whether your issue is simple or complex, Cedar Planning provides calm, practical and policy-based support.

Contact Cedar Planning

If you need planning advice or support with an application, objection or appeal, Cedar Planning can help.

Request a free initial consultation: