Prompt, professional and client-focused. Would highly recommend Salmon Planning, thank you!
27 May 2026 Nigel Salmon - Managing Director & Chartered Town Planner
What We’ve Been Working On: Exciting Projects Shaping 2026
As we approach the halfway point of 2026, we thought it would be a good opportunity to share some of the exciting projects currently underway across the practice. It’s been a busy start to the year, with both our planning and architecture teams working on a diverse mix of schemes that reflect the breadth of what we do - from complex strategic planning work to contemporary residential design.
Planning-Led Design for 2026 Projects
Our team of RTPI chartered town planning consultants is being challenged - daily - by the ever-greater complexities of the planning process. Policy continues to evolve, local authorities are under pressure, and the need for clear, strategic advice has never been greater.
Strategic planning can unlock design potential, meaning we can guide clients through this landscape with clarity, pragmatism, and a deep understanding of how to achieve your goals.
Our architecture team, headed up by Matt Green, is currently immersed in some fascinating projects. Several new homes are progressing through detailed design, each one shaped by its landscape, its context, and the aspirations of the families and people who will one day live there.
New Dwelling, Easton
After a successful planning and Building Regulations process, this will be starting on site very soon - a bespoke new dwelling designed for our clients who purchased orchard land with an approval to construct a dwelling (originally via Class Q - an application we were also successful in). The house was designed to their specific requirements and will feature a host of renewable energy technologies to keep running costs to a minimum.
Housing Development, Rode
We have been busy developing a detailed scheme for the Approval of Reserved Matters on an outline approval in Rode, near Frome (we also prepared and submitted the original outline application for approval). The small infill development has been skilfully handled to blend with the existing housing stock in terms of volume and materiality as well as dealing with the sensitive ecology present on site.
Dwelling on Mendip Hills
On a site on the elevated slopes of the highly protected Mendip Hills landscape, planning permission has been granted for a new, unrestricted dwelling, after a history of planning refusals. The successful outcome was based on the client entering into a legal agreement to revoke residential use of a caravan on the site. The proposed dwelling seeks to part use the steel envelope of an existing farm building to create a contemporary designed dwelling.
Housing scheme at Shaftesbury
Having secured outline planning permission on appeal in 2024, we are now progressing the reserved matters for a high-quality housing scheme on the edge of this historic Dorset market town. Drawing on our planning expertise to ensure full compliance with the appeal conditions, and combining this with our architectural creativity, we are developing a scheme that aspires to the highest standards of design and placemaking.
Dwelling of outstanding design - Langport
A local authority has resolved to grant planning permission for a 6,000 sq ft dwelling in a countryside location as an exception to normal rural restraint policies solely on the basis that the proposal achieved a standard of design held to be outstanding. Salmon identified the site development opportunity and working with the architects achieved an outstandingly designed contemporary home. It follows full and detailed engagement with The Design Review Panel and is a rare example of where an outstanding design can trump otherwise restrictive Planning Policies under para 139 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The lead architect of the development from Orme Architects has since joined Salmon as our company’s Director of Architecture.
A Good Moment to Talk About Your Own Plans
With so much happening across the practice, it’s a good moment to reflect on the year so far and to look ahead to what the second half of 2026 may bring. Whether you’re at the very beginning of a project or ready to take the next step, we’re always happy to talk.
Get In Touch
Do feel free to call us and make an appointment. We’d be delighted to welcome you for an informal chat about any planning or architectural ideas you may be exploring.
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Salmon Planning Reviews
5.0 rating of 17 reviews
I’ve been using Dan Foster and his team for over 2 years now on my property developments, the level of service, support, and professionalism of each member forever seems to impress! They have saved me many times, highlighting (potentially expensive) issues I had missed and always listen to my ideas and questions with great patience . I cannot recommend this company more highly , if you need reliable advice/designs from a team for your projects definitely give Salmon Planning a call. They will tell you everything in black and white and explain all you need to know regarding the complete planning process from start to finish.
Owen Robinson
I was extremely pleased by the service provided by Dan Foster at Salmon Planning Company. He provided advice in relation to securing planning approval for the conversion of a barn to a residential annexe, leading to a swift and successful outcome. His advice was timely, thorough and well reasoned and his effective communication with the planning authority led to an outcome which would not otherwise have been likely. The support provided proved to be money well spent.
Paul Wiseman
I regularly contact Nigel Salmon for information and advice. He, and his colleagues, are always friendly and rapidly provide excellent advice and services. As a Chartered Surveyor myself, I appreciate the professionalism of this firm.
Roderick Thomas
We worked with Dan and Matt at Salmon Planning Company to secure planning permission for a double garage, workshop, and gym/yoga room. From start to finish, they were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. Their advice on both the planning and design stages was excellent, and they made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend their services!
Simon Banks
Excellent all round service from Nigel and his knowledgeable and experienced team. I have recommended them to many people in the past and will continue to do so in the future as they listen, understand and work with clients to deliver achievable results.
Alex Keevil
Excellent end-to-end experience and advice for our listed property in Brighton. Would highly recommend
Richard Dutton
The Salmon Planning Team assisted me with an assessment of development potential in the Conservation Area of a rural Oxfordshire village. The advice I received was extremely helpful both in its decisiveness and clarity and backed up by a very useful written report. I would be happy to recommend the company for those looking for a very experienced and professional planning-led team. I wish I had contacted a planning-led architectural firm first off rather than having expensive plans drawn up by an architect and then refused by the Local Authority! It would have been a much cheaper exercise.
Jane Thomas
Salmon Planning have secured planning permission for me for both holiday lodges and a new build pub and restaurant as well as for a new dwelling. The Salmon Planning team’s skill at handling complex planning applications and securing successful outcomes has been excellent. I would happily recommend their planning and architectural design teams.
Mike
I have found Salmon Planning to be a well-run, professional planning company who have always strived to go above and beyond to help their clients achieve their objectives.I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
Aoife Dick
We had the pleasure of working with Matt and Dan from Salmon planning recently. They dealt with our planning application for a wrap around kitchen extension from idea to submission. They listened and came up with very helpful input. They are a useful mix of knowledgeable, practical and creative. They made the process straightforward, seamless and enjoyable. They dealt with all the laborious paperwork and liaised with other relevant bodies, leaving us to just contribute to the ideas and design. They are both extremely amiable and a pleasure to deal with. The process was affordable and I feel I got great value for money. Use them, you will be pleased you did.
Shona Perkins
It has been a real pleasure working with Matt and the team at Salmon Planning + Architecture. Throughout the process they have been consistently professional, prompt to respond, and genuinely helpful at every stage. A great team to work with, which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Christopher Davies
I was very pleased with the services and advice provided by Salmon Planning. I also thought the in-house architecture / drawing service worked well - saving costs, time and generally making things far more efficient. We managed to easily secure consent for something that I thought might be fraught with issues. Nigel is also very well informed on local / Somerset matters. Highly recommend!
Peter Prescott
Dan and the rest of his team at Salmon Planning were consumate professionals, dealing with every aspect of a sensitive, high profile, listed, town centre development, in a conservation area. Always available for every question I had … and I had a lot.I would, without a doubt ,call upon them for any future planning projects and would have no reservation whatsoever in recommending. Unquestionably 5 star - thank you.