Planning Consultants across England and Wales
Specialist Planning Advice, Applications, Appeals & Land Development beyond the East of England
Meadows is an independent, director-led planning consultancy based in Norwich, Norfolk, providing expert planning advice and land development services throughout the East of England and for suitable projects across England and Wales.
Although our principal geographical focus is Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire, our experienced Planning Directors also undertake projects elsewhere in England and Wales where our specialist expertise can provide particular value.
We work with landowners, developers, businesses, farmers, estates and individuals seeking professional advice on residential, commercial, agricultural, tourism, leisure and other development opportunities.
Our directors' professional experience includes projects in London, the North Wessex Downs and other locations beyond our core counties, including work undertaken at Meadows and previously at Parker Planning Services.
Whether you are considering developing land, challenging a planning refusal, converting existing buildings, expanding a business or exploring opportunities for a larger estate, Meadows can help you understand the relevant planning considerations and establish an appropriate strategy.
Every project is personally managed by an experienced Planning Director, each with over 20 years of professional planning experience.
Free Initial Review of Your Land or Building
Could Your Land or Property Have Development Potential?
Do you own a field, paddock, large garden, agricultural building, commercial premises or other land or property in England or Wales that you believe may have development potential?
Perhaps you would like to build a new home, develop several dwellings, convert redundant buildings, establish a new business or unlock the potential of land you already own.
Meadows offers a FREE initial review of the planning and development potential of your land or building.
Our experienced Planning Directors can consider the site's location and circumstances, the type of development you have in mind and whether there may be opportunities worth investigating further.
We have particular experience of assessing challenging sites, including land outside settlement boundaries, countryside locations, former agricultural buildings, commercial redevelopment opportunities and land affected by restrictive planning policies.
Simply provide your site's address or postcode and a brief description of what you would like to achieve. Our free review provides a preliminary indication of potential opportunities and possible next steps. More detailed planning assessments, technical investigations and formal feasibility reports are separate professional services.
Contact Meadows today to discuss your land, building or development proposal, wherever your site is located in England or Wales.
Planning Consultancy Services Throughout England and Wales
Meadows provides planning consultancy services for suitable development projects across England and Wales, extending beyond our six principal county areas.
Our experienced Planning Directors can advise on projects involving residential and commercial development, countryside housing, agricultural diversification, strategic land promotion, planning applications and planning appeals.
We assess each instruction individually, considering the nature of the proposal, relevant planning policies, geographical location and any specialist requirements.
Planning Consultants in London
Our directors' previous professional experience includes substantial commercial and mixed-use development projects within Greater London.
This includes the successful progression of a hotel development proposal in Stratford, involving the conversion of existing offices into a 151-bedroom hotel while retaining a bank.
We can advise on suitable residential, commercial, employment, hospitality and mixed-use development proposals throughout London.
Planning considerations may include London Plan policies, individual borough Local Plans, heritage, design, transport, infrastructure and the redevelopment or reuse of existing buildings.
Planning Consultants in the South East of England
Meadows also considers planning projects throughout the wider South East, including Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.
We advise on suitable residential developments, planning applications, appeals, land feasibility assessments, commercial projects and rural diversification proposals.
Development opportunities may involve existing settlements, village-edge locations, countryside sites, commercial premises or land affected by Green Belt and other planning restrictions.
Our directors' previous project portfolio also includes renewable energy proposals within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.
Planning Consultants in Bedfordshire & Neighbouring Areas
We provide planning advice for suitable projects in Bedfordshire, including Bedford, Luton, Central Bedfordshire and surrounding towns and villages.
Our services include planning applications, residential development, self-build housing, land feasibility assessments, commercial development, agricultural planning and planning appeals.
We can assess the relevant planning policies and development opportunities affecting individual sites.
Planning Consultants in the East Midlands
Meadows also undertakes suitable projects across the wider East Midlands, including Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Rutland.
We advise on countryside housing, village-edge development, self-build opportunities, agricultural buildings, rural diversification, commercial redevelopment and strategic land promotion.
Our directors have previous professional experience of planning projects within Lincolnshire, which forms part of the wider East Midlands region.
We can assist landowners and developers with assessing development potential, preparing planning applications and identifying appropriate strategies for challenging sites.
Planning Consultants in the West Midlands
Our planning consultancy services are also available for suitable projects across the West Midlands, including Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and the wider Birmingham and Coventry areas.
Potential instructions may involve residential and commercial development, countryside housing, employment premises, agricultural buildings, changes of use and planning appeals.
We can assess relevant national and local planning policies and advise on realistic development opportunities.
Planning Consultants in South West England
Meadows also considers specialist planning projects throughout the South West, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.
These areas contain a wide range of development opportunities involving rural estates, agricultural buildings, tourism accommodation, commercial premises and residential development.
Our experience of countryside planning, farm diversification, tourism projects and specialist development proposals can be particularly relevant to landowners and businesses in these locations.
Planning considerations may include protected landscapes, heritage assets, ecology, flood risk and countryside development restrictions.
Planning Consultants in Northern England
We also consider suitable planning commissions across northern England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the North East.
Our services can include planning applications, appeals, commercial and employment development, residential proposals, agricultural diversification and strategic land promotion.
For projects outside our principal geographical area, we consider the nature and scale of the development and whether our specialist expertise can add value.
Planning Consultants in Wales
Meadows also undertakes suitable planning projects throughout Wales, including North Wales, Mid Wales, West Wales and South Wales.
We can assist with development proposals involving residential and commercial uses, agricultural buildings, rural diversification, tourism accommodation, land feasibility assessments and planning appeals.
Our services are available for suitable projects in areas including Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Powys, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and surrounding locations.
Wales operates under a separate planning policy framework from England, including Planning Policy Wales, Future Wales and the relevant Local Development Plans.
We assess each Welsh enquiry individually to establish the applicable planning requirements and whether any additional local or specialist professional input is necessary.
Planning Advice Wherever Your Site Is Located
Whether your development proposal is within one of our principal county areas or elsewhere in England or Wales, Meadows would be pleased to consider your enquiry.
We offer a personal, director-led planning consultancy service and assess each project individually to ensure our experience and professional involvement are appropriate to the circumstances.
Contact Meadows to discuss whether we can assist with your planning project.
Specialist Planning Consultancy Services Across England and Wales
Meadows provides a comprehensive range of planning consultancy and land development services for suitable projects throughout England and Wales.
Our services include:
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Planning Applications & Planning Permission – Preparation, submission and management of planning applications for residential, commercial, agricultural and other developments.
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Planning Appeals & Enforcement – Specialist advice and representation following planning refusals, enforcement action and other planning difficulties.
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Land Development Advice & Feasibility – Assessments of the development potential of land and buildings, including challenging and previously refused sites.
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Residential Development & Self-Build Housing – Planning advice for individual dwellings, self-build plots, larger housing schemes and countryside housing.
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Green Belt & Countryside Development – Assessing development opportunities involving Green Belt land in England, settlement boundaries and restrictive countryside policies.
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Commercial & Employment Development – Planning consultancy for offices, industrial buildings, business parks, employment premises and commercial changes of use.
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Agricultural Planning & Rural Diversification – Advice on agricultural buildings, barn conversions, rural businesses, farm shops and estate diversification.
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Tourism & Leisure Planning – Planning advice for hotels, holiday accommodation, leisure developments, visitor attractions and hospitality facilities.
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Renewable Energy Development – Advice on suitable renewable energy proposals, including solar developments and associated infrastructure.
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Strategic Land Promotion – Advice on promoting land for future development through Local Plans and relevant site submission processes.
Planning Applications & Planning Permission
Meadows prepares and manages planning applications for projects of different types and sizes.
Our experienced Planning Directors assess the relevant planning policies, identify development constraints and advise on an appropriate planning strategy.
We prepare professional Planning Statements and can help coordinate supporting information from architects, ecologists, transport consultants, drainage specialists and other technical professionals.
Our approach focuses on preparing clear, well-reasoned planning submissions that respond to the relevant national and local planning requirements.
Planning Appeals & Planning Refusals
A refusal of planning permission does not necessarily mean that a development proposal cannot proceed.
Meadows provides specialist planning appeal advice and representation for suitable projects throughout England and Wales.
Our experienced Planning Directors can assess the reasons for refusal, relevant planning policies, site circumstances and prospects of success before advising on the available options.
We can also advise where a revised planning application or alternative development strategy may offer better prospects than proceeding with an appeal.
The applicable appeal procedures differ between England and Wales and are considered as part of our assessment of individual instructions.
Land Development & Planning Feasibility Assessments
Many landowners need independent professional planning advice before deciding whether to invest in developing their land.
Meadows provides planning feasibility assessments to help clients understand potential development opportunities and constraints.
Our advice can cover residential development, commercial projects, agricultural diversification, changes of use and the redevelopment or reuse of existing buildings.
Where planning permission may not be achievable immediately, we can also advise on alternative strategies and the potential for longer-term land promotion.
Residential, Commercial & Rural Development
Our directors' expertise encompasses a wide variety of development projects, from individual dwellings and smaller changes of use to larger commercial and mixed-use schemes.
We have particular experience of challenging countryside proposals, residential sites outside settlement boundaries, agricultural buildings, commercial developments and planning appeals involving complex policy considerations.
We provide practical advice designed to help landowners, businesses and developers make informed decisions about their projects.
Planning Advice for Clients With Multiple Sites
Some businesses, developers, farmers and estates own or operate land and buildings in several different locations.
Meadows can provide consistent planning advice for suitable multi-site portfolios, helping clients assess development opportunities across different local planning authority areas.
Our directors' professional portfolio includes previous work associated with clients holding multiple development sites across the country.
Each proposal is assessed against the planning policies and circumstances applicable to its particular location.
How We Manage Projects Across England and Wales
Although Meadows is based in Norwich, much of the initial planning research, policy analysis, application preparation and project coordination can be undertaken remotely.
Where site visits, meetings with local planning authorities or attendance at planning committees are necessary, these can be arranged as part of the agreed professional service.
We also work with architects and technical consultants to coordinate appropriate supporting information.
For projects outside our immediate geographical area, we discuss travel requirements, additional professional input and associated costs before commencing an instruction.
Every accepted project remains personally managed by an experienced Planning Director.
Our Planning Experience Across England and Wales
Meadows' Planning Directors have extensive professional experience of residential, commercial, agricultural, tourism, renewable energy and other development projects.
Our portfolio includes work undertaken at Meadows and previous projects associated with Parker Planning Services, where our directors worked before establishing Meadows.
The following examples demonstrate our directors' experience of specialist planning work, including projects beyond the six counties forming our principal geographical focus.
Stratford, London – Hotel & Commercial Development
A notable example of our directors' previous professional experience involved a substantial mixed-use development proposal in Stratford, London.
The project, undertaken through Parker Planning Services, proposed converting an existing office building into a 151-bedroom hotel while retaining an existing bank within the premises.
The planning work involved preparation of supporting planning information and consideration of heritage, design and other relevant development matters.
The application received unanimous approval at planning committee.
This project demonstrates the planning expertise required for significant commercial changes of use, hospitality development and mixed-use proposals in urban locations.
North Wessex Downs – Renewable Energy Development
Our directors' professional portfolio also includes involvement with solar carport development proposals at two sites within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.
Renewable energy proposals in nationally protected landscapes can require careful assessment of landscape character, visual impacts, environmental considerations and relevant planning policies.
Projects of this nature demonstrate the breadth of planning matters our directors have been involved with, extending beyond conventional residential and commercial development.
Planning Advice for Clients With Sites Across the Country
Our directors' professional portfolio includes work for clients with landholdings and development interests across multiple locations.
Such projects can involve residential development, commercial premises, agricultural buildings, equestrian facilities, renewable energy and alternative uses of existing land and buildings.
Providing advice for multi-site clients requires a coordinated approach while recognising that each site must be assessed against its applicable national and local planning policies.
Meadows can offer consistent, director-led professional advice for suitable projects involving several locations.
Successful Planning Applications & Appeals
Alongside projects beyond our principal geographical area, our Planning Directors have extensive experience of progressing challenging planning applications and appeals.
Our portfolio includes successful residential appeals for countryside development, commercial projects and schemes involving complex planning policy considerations.
Examples include residential planning appeals at Costessey and Old Buckenham in Norfolk, together with commercial development at Elm Farm Business Park in Wymondham.
These projects demonstrate our ability to assess difficult planning situations, prepare detailed planning arguments and identify appropriate strategies for progressing development proposals.
We apply this experience to suitable projects across England and Wales, while ensuring that the relevant planning framework and circumstances of each individual site are properly considered.
Why Choose Meadows as Your Planning Consultants?
Experienced Planning Directors
Our Planning Directors each have over 20 years of professional planning experience, combining extensive private consultancy expertise with valuable knowledge gained within local government.
Personally Managed Projects
Every planning project is personally managed by an experienced Director, ensuring continuity, clear communication and specialist professional advice.
Experience Across Different Development Types
Our expertise encompasses residential, commercial, agricultural, tourism, leisure, renewable energy, rural diversification and strategic land development projects.
We consider suitable projects of different types and sizes throughout England and Wales.
Practical & Commercially Focused Advice
We understand that planning decisions can have significant financial implications for landowners, developers and businesses.
Our advice is designed to help clients understand their opportunities, constraints and available options before committing to further expenditure.
Clear & Competitive Fees
We provide transparent professional fee quotations tailored to individual projects, including any additional arrangements associated with working outside our immediate geographical area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Meadows Undertake Planning Projects Across England and Wales?
Yes. Although our principal geographical focus is Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire, we also undertake suitable planning projects throughout the rest of England and Wales.
We assess each enquiry individually to establish whether our specialist experience and professional services are appropriate to the proposed development.
Can I Use a Planning Consultant Based in Another County?
Yes. A planning consultant does not generally need to be based within the same local authority area as the development.
What matters is appropriate professional expertise and a sound understanding of the relevant planning policies and site circumstances.
Meadows assesses the applicable planning framework and can arrange site visits or additional specialist input where necessary.
Does Meadows Undertake Site Visits Across England and Wales?
Yes. Site visits can be arranged where necessary and appropriate to the project.
Any relevant travel arrangements and associated costs are discussed as part of the professional fee quotation.
Can Meadows Help With a Planning Refusal in Another Area?
Yes. We provide specialist planning appeal advice and representation for suitable projects throughout England and Wales.
Our Planning Directors can assess planning refusals and advise whether an appeal, revised application or alternative planning strategy may be appropriate.
Can Meadows Assess My Land for Development Potential?
Yes. We offer a free initial review of the planning and development potential of land and buildings.
This provides a preliminary indication of whether further planning investigations may be worthwhile.
Detailed planning feasibility assessments and technical reports are separate professional services.
Does Meadows Work With Commercial Developers and Larger Landowners?
Yes. We work with developers, businesses, estates and landowners on residential, commercial, agricultural, tourism and other development proposals.
We also consider instructions involving several sites across different local planning authority areas.
Does Meadows Undertake Smaller Planning Applications?
Yes. We undertake projects of different types and sizes, including individual dwellings, changes of use, smaller commercial applications, planning appeals and larger development schemes.
For sites outside our principal geographical area, we consider whether the nature and scale of the instruction make it practical and commercially appropriate for Meadows to assist.
Is the Planning System Different in Wales?
Yes. Wales has its own planning legislation and policy framework, including Planning Policy Wales, Future Wales and Local Development Plans.
England's National Planning Policy Framework does not apply to planning applications in Wales.
Meadows considers the relevant legal and policy requirements for each Welsh enquiry and identifies any additional specialist or local professional input that may be necessary.
What Does Your Free Initial Site Review Include?
Our free initial review considers the basic circumstances of your site and the development you would like to achieve.
It helps establish whether there may be a potential planning opportunity and what further investigations could be worthwhile.
Detailed feasibility reports, technical assessments and formal planning applications are separate professional services.
Planning Consultancy in Our Principal Counties
Meadows has dedicated planning consultancy pages for the six counties forming our principal geographical focus:
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Norfolk
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Suffolk
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Essex
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Cambridgeshire
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Lincolnshire
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Hertfordshire
We also undertake suitable planning projects across the rest of England and Wales.
Discuss Your Planning Project
Whether your site is located within the East of England, London, the Midlands, the South West, northern England or Wales, Meadows would be pleased to discuss whether our planning services may be appropriate for your proposal. Our experienced Planning Directors can review the circumstances of your enquiry, advise on potential next steps and provide a clear fee quotation for further professional services where required.