WPS Planning offers a comprehensive Site Appraisal and Planning Strategy service for homeowners, landowners, developers and businesses across the UK.
A Site Appraisal is often the first and most important step in the planning process. It provides an early, professional view on your project’s prospects of securing planning permission and helps you understand the likely position of the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before time and money are committed. Put simply, it is not in your interest, or ours, to submit a planning application with a low chance of success. A strong appraisal helps you avoid costly redesigns, delays, or refusal, and sets the foundations for a well-evidenced application from the outset.
Our appraisal considers the key planning factors that influence decision-making, including:
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Site context and planning constraints: the character of the surrounding area, settlement boundaries, countryside policies, designations (such as Green Belt, AONB, Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, flood risk zones, TPOs), access, neighbouring amenity considerations, and the practicalities of delivering development on the site.
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Local facilities and sustainability: proximity to services, public transport, walking and cycling connectivity, and how the proposal aligns with the LPA’s approach to sustainable development.
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Planning history and appeal records: relevant planning applications and decisions for the site and nearby plots, including conditions, refusal reasons, and any appeal outcomes that may guide a successful approach.
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Local planning policy: an assessment against the adopted Local Plan, emerging policy (where weight may apply), Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), neighbourhood plans, and any site allocations or local evidence base that could influence outcomes.
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National policy and material considerations: where relevant, we assess the proposal against the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other material considerations that can support the planning balance.
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Precedents, appeal decisions and legal context: we research comparable approvals and refusals, relevant appeal decisions, and any important case law or legal decisions that may strengthen your position and reduce risk.
The Site Appraisal identifies the opportunities a site offers; for example, the most suitable form of development, likely scale, design parameters, access solutions, and the planning “hooks” that can be used to support an application. It also highlights constraints, risks and likely objections (highway matters, heritage impact, drainage, biodiversity, neighbour amenity, landscape impact, viability, policy conflict) so you can make informed decisions early and plan around them.
A Site Appraisal is a valuable part of the decision-making process because it gives you a clear strategy and direction. If you decide to proceed, you can do so quickly, efficiently and with confidence, with a defined route to a robust planning submission, and a far better chance of achieving a positive outcome.
Please get in touch for more information info@wpsplanning.co.uk or 01403 458169. Alternatively please complete our short form to provide us with more information about your site, your objectives and any potential constraints, so we can provide you with an accurate scope, clear deliverables and a fee proposal for your desired site appraisal – click here to access form