Planning Direct

Planning Direct operates as a boutique planning consultancy, extending its services to clients throughout the United Kingdom. The firm was established in 2012 by Andrew Cann and maintains its base in the East of England. The company operates with a dedicated team comprising planning consultants, architectural technicians, and landscape designers. This team is equipped to address a diverse array of planning requirements across England and Wales.

The firm delivers a wide spectrum of bespoke planning services, tailored to accommodate both domestic and commercial projects of varying scales and complexities. These services encompass the comprehensive preparation, meticulous submission, and ongoing management of planning applications. Planning Direct also provides support for planning appeals, handles objections, and navigates enforcement matters within the planning system. The company's portfolio of specific planning products includes Garden Plans, Landscape & Visual Impact Assessments, Planning Assessments, Heritage Impact Assessments, Planning Drawings, Building Regulations, Flood Risk Assessments, and Travel Plans.

The firm's capacity extends to undertaking projects that range from very large corporate developments to the smallest of domestic extensions. Planning Direct's methodology involves thorough research, conducting essential site visits, drafting detailed statements, producing necessary drawings, and efficiently processing online submissions. The company ensures comprehensive case management, which includes proactive liaison with developers and decision-makers throughout the planning process. The firm collaborates closely with a network of independent, specialist consultants and architects across the UK, ensuring that planning applications, appeals, or objections are supported by all required documentation.

Planning Direct has established a reputation for efficiently securing planning permissions, with clients frequently acknowledging the professionalism and expertise demonstrated by the team. The company prioritizes clear communication and provides thorough guidance, aiming to instill confidence in clients as they navigate complex planning regulations. The firm's operational philosophy centers on delivering an outstanding service to its clients, a commitment reflected in its high rates of client retention and referrals, which constitute a primary source of new work. Planning Direct also maintains a focus on its internal environment, aiming to provide an exceptional working atmosphere for its employees, which contributes to high staff retention.

The company strategically limits its size, aiming to remain no larger than 16 employees, a decision intended to preserve its attention to detail across all projects. The team comprises planners and designers with extensive experience across all facets of the planning system. Planning Direct offers initial advice free of charge for clients who already own or lease the property in question. While Planning Direct's public website content does not explicitly detail specific Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) projects, the firm's broad experience in commercial and large-scale developments is directly applicable to this sector.

The company possesses extensive experience in successfully managing commercial to residential conversions, guiding clients through the necessary applications and approvals. This capability in transforming commercial properties for residential use, combined with its comprehensive planning services for diverse development types, positions the firm to address the requirements of student accommodation projects. Planning Direct's commitment to a bespoke approach for each case, irrespective of its size or complexity, allows for the development of tailored planning solutions suitable for student housing developments. The firm's expertise in navigating complex planning regulations and its focus on efficient outcomes would be beneficial for developers in the PBSA market.