FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"Why should I get planning law specialists like Land Planning Associates to pursue my planning permission rather than, say, my local Architect?"
The primary skill of Architects is the design of buildings, not winning planning permission. Many Architects do, of course, submit planning applications and planning appeals, with varying degrees of success. Some even have a working understanding of planning law. We have great respect for the skills of Architects, and we often work alongside a client's own Architect. But winning planning permission where the application is likely to be resisted by the planning authority requires an understanding of planning law to equal that of the planning authority. As planning law specialists, our expertise in that field often allows us to win planning permissions that others cannot.

"Why don't you offer FREE Initial Assessments and get even more business?"
We tested that, and it resulted in serious waste of our time by (a) people who wanted free professional confirmation of their prospects before attempting - usually unsuccessfully! - a planning application themselves and (b) others who submitted ridiculous development proposals because they had nothing to lose by getting us to waste our time assessing them. Sharing the cost of Initial Assessment dramatically reduces the number of freeloaders and timewasters the serious clients would otherwise subsidise.

"What percentage will you charge for winning my planning permission?"
It won't be a percentage of the value of the land, because we cannot possibly know the value of land with many different kinds of planning permission in every area of the UK. Our success-related fee will be a set sum, based on our assessment of (a) the prospects of winning the planning permission you want and (b) our estimate of the time and expertise we will need to devote to pursuing it. You will certainly pay more than you would pay on normal "time plus expenses" terms, because we will be taking all of your risks for you. But we are happy to pursue your planning permission on normal "time + expenses" terms, or a Contingency Fee arrangement if you prefer it. (We will normally offer you a choice of all three of these following Initial Assessment.)

"What prospect of success are you looking for before you will take on a case?"
We will offer to take on a case where we perceive that there is even a 30% chance of winning the planning permission required.

"Do I have to take out an insurance policy to cover your fees if the permission is not won?"
No certainly not! That would not be a true No Win No Fee offer.

"Can I come to your office and discuss my proposed project with you?"
Yes, certainly. Once we have completed our Initial Assessment and concluded that there is actually a viable project to discuss, we will arrange a meeting if it is necessary. Any meeting before that Initial Assessment does not fall within our No Win-No Fee service, and will therefore be charged at our normal fee rate of £147.00 per hour + VAT. If you want to discuss your proposal prior to Initial Assessment, simply write for an appointment stating when you can attend, and we will arrange it.

"Will you need to look at my land?"
We can arrange it if necessary, because we have a local Agent in most areas of the UK. But normally an inspection is not necessary. A couple of photographs are always useful if there are any buildings on the land, but the important things for us to know are (i) exactly where the land is, and (ii) what is around it. We can then investigate whether the planning permission you want can be won.

"Can you win permission for dwellings outside the "village envelope" and in open countryside?"
Yes sometimes. It depends entirely on the land and the circumstances. (There are no "standard answers" to planning questions, and there are exceptions even to the basic rule that dwellings will not normally be allowed in the countryside. If your land is open countryside, out Initial Assessment will examine ALL of the potential exceptions to the fundamental rule to see whether there are grounds for claiming an exemption which could win residential planning permission for your land.)