Planning Consultancy & Support Services
Contour Planning Consultants Ltd supports planning and architectural enquiries shaped around property type, site context, proposal scope, planning history, constraints, documentation needs, and local authority process considerations.
Planning & Architectural Consultancy for Property Projects
Contour Planning Consultants Ltd is a UK planning and architectural consultancy supporting homeowners, landlords, developers, commercial property owners, and small development teams with planning enquiries, feasibility review, architectural planning support, planning application preparation, development proposals, and planning documentation.
The approach is built around understanding property type, site context, proposal scope, planning history, constraints, drawings, documentation, local authority requirements, timelines, third-party input, and agreed advisory scope before confirming recommendations or next steps.
Feasibility-first
Every project starts with understanding the site and constraints before recommending a route.
Documentation-led
Clear drawings, plans, and supporting information shaped to local authority requirements.
Process-aware
Guidance on planning routes, local authority process, third-party requirements, and likely next steps.
Enquiry-focused
Scope and recommendations confirmed individually for each property, site, and proposal.
Which Planning Route Do You Need?
Planning routes vary by property type, proposal scope, site constraints, planning history, and local authority requirements. Use this guide to understand the types of planning support available — scope and recommendations confirmed individually for each enquiry.
- Permitted development assessment
- Full planning application
- Lawful development certificate
- Prior approval (where applicable)
- Permitted development review
- Prior approval assessment
- Full planning application
- Lawful development certificate
- Use class assessment
- Change of use application
- Prior approval (specific uses)
- Supporting documentation
- Feasibility review
- Pre-application enquiry support
- Application preparation
- Planning documentation
Planning route guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal or planning advice. Permitted development status, application routes, and planning requirements depend on property-specific factors. Recommendations confirmed individually.
Site Feasibility Review
A site feasibility review provides early-stage visibility on the key factors influencing a planning proposal, development potential, and the documentation likely required. It does not guarantee planning permission, permitted development status, project viability, or local authority approval.
Site Context
Property location, street scene, built form, and neighbouring character.
Boundaries & Access
Site boundaries, access points, overlooking, and neighbouring impact.
Planning Constraints
Conservation areas, listed buildings, Article 4 directions, flood risk, and policy designations.
Development Potential
Early-stage review of proposal viability, planning route, and documentation requirements.
Permitted Development
Assessment of whether the proposal may fall within permitted development rights.
Policy Context
Local planning policy, design guidance, and national policy considerations.
Design Intent
How the proposal responds to planning policy, site context, and design objectives.
Documentation Needs
Identifying what drawings, plans, statements, and reports are likely required.
Documentation for Planning Applications
Every planning application requires a set of documents shaped to the proposal, property type, site context, and local planning authority requirements. Documentation needs vary by project — scope and document requirements are confirmed individually.
Documentation needs vary by project type, local authority requirements, site constraints, proposal scope, supporting evidence, and agreed advisory scope.
Planning DocumentationDocumentation Checklist
- Location plan (OS-based, showing site boundary)
- Site plan (showing existing and proposed layout)
- Floor plans (existing and proposed)
- Elevation drawings (existing and proposed)
- Supporting planning statement or design note
- Design and access statement (where required)
- Application form and ownership certificate
- Specialist reports where required
Documentation requirements depend on the local authority, application type, site context, and proposal scope. This is a general guide only.
Planning Support for Homeowners & Developers
Residential Property Projects
Support for homeowners exploring extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions, outbuildings, alterations, and residential permitted development. Planning route, feasibility review, drawings, documentation, and application support shaped to the property.
- Rear and side extensions
- Double-storey extensions
- Loft conversions
- Garage conversions
- Outbuildings and garden rooms
- Internal alterations
- Permitted development discussion
Development & Change of Use
Support for small development teams, developers, and commercial property owners exploring change of use, conversions, subdivision proposals, and development planning. Feasibility review, proposal shaping, planning-stage documentation, and application support.
- Change of use applications
- Commercial property alterations
- Conversion and subdivision discussions
- Development proposal shaping
- Feasibility and planning risk review
- Pre-application enquiry support
- Planning documentation for development
How We Support Your Planning Project
A structured approach to planning consultancy — from initial assessment through to submission support and response review, shaped around each property, site, and agreed advisory scope.
Assess — Understand the Property and Proposal
Review the property type, location, site context, planning history, permitted development constraints, and existing drawings or documents available. This initial assessment shapes the enquiry and confirms what information is needed before advisory scope can be confirmed.
Map — Identify the Planning Route and Constraints
Identify the relevant planning route — whether that involves a full planning application, prior approval, permitted development assessment, lawful development certificate, change-of-use consent, or another approach. Consider constraints including local policy, site designations, conservation areas, listed building status, flood risk, and neighbouring impact.
Design — Shape the Proposal and Design Intent
Review the proposal scope, design intent, layout options, and architectural planning requirements. Consider how the proposal responds to planning policy, site context, design guidance, and any requirements from the local planning authority. Coordinate with any existing architectural drawings or concept proposals.
Document — Prepare the Planning Documentation
Prepare or coordinate the drawings, supporting information, plans, and documents needed to support the planning enquiry or application. This may include location plans, site plans, floor plans, elevations, supporting notes, design rationale, and any additional documentation confirmed as part of the advisory scope.
Submit — Review Submission Readiness and Support the Process
Review submission readiness, confirm documentation, and support the local authority submission process where agreed. Submission timescales, validation requirements, and processing times vary by local planning authority. Local authority validation, processing, and decisions cannot be guaranteed.
Respond — Review Responses, Queries and Next Steps
Support review of local authority responses, requests for further information, officer queries, objections, conditions, or revision requirements where agreed within the advisory scope. Next steps depend on the local authority decision, planning conditions, enforcement matters, or subsequent requirements.
Planning Transparency & Important Notes
Planning Outcomes Cannot Be Guaranteed
Planning outcomes, local authority decisions, timescales, objections, permitted development status, appeal outcomes, and approvals cannot be guaranteed. Each local planning authority has independent discretion in determining applications in accordance with planning policy, material considerations, and the specifics of each proposal.
Recommendations Depend on Property Context
Planning consultancy recommendations depend on property details, site context, planning history, constraints, local authority requirements, supporting documents, third-party input, and agreed advisory scope. Scope and recommendations are confirmed individually before work begins.
Specialist Advice
Legal, surveying, structural engineering, building control, party wall, ecology, heritage, highways, drainage, fire safety, and specialist planning advice should be obtained from appropriate qualified specialists where required. Contour Planning Consultants Ltd does not provide these specialist advisory services.
Client Responsibilities
Client responsibility includes providing accurate property information, drawings, title details, planning history, access, permissions, constraints, neighbour information, and relevant documentation. Recommendations depend on the accuracy and completeness of information provided.
Third-Party Input & Local Authority Requirements
Many planning applications and permitted development assessments require input from third parties including statutory consultees, specialist report authors, highway engineers, drainage engineers, heritage consultants, ecologists, and other specialists. Local authority requirements vary and may change. Third-party reports, surveys, and specialist input may add cost and time to the project.
Start Your Planning Enquiry
Tell us what property project, site, application, or planning route needs reviewing. Contour Planning Consultants Ltd will assess your enquiry and confirm the scope, documentation needs, and recommended next steps.
Recommendations depend on property details, site context, planning history, constraints, and agreed advisory scope.