New FAQs: Your First Stop for Planning Advice

When considering a development project - whether you're extending your home, exploring a rural site for housing, or tackling a listed building - it’s natural to have questions. That’s why Salmon Planning has created a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on our website: a clear, comprehensive, and practical resource for anyone wondering whether they need planning advice.

In this blog, we explore what’s covered in the new FAQs, and why it's a fantastic first step for anyone thinking about engaging a chartered planning consultant.

Why Have We Introduced FAQs?

The planning system can be daunting. With complex regulations, changing policies, and a wide variety of factors at play, it can be difficult to know where to start. Our new FAQs are designed to bridge that gap - giving you answers to the most common planning questions, and helping you decide whether to seek professional advice.

Put simply, it's a helpful tool to save you time, money, and uncertainty.

What Do the FAQs Cover?

The FAQs are grouped into clear categories, making it easy to find what you need. Here's a snapshot of the topics included:

Site and Development Appraisals

• Do you need Planning Permission?

• What issues are considered (and not considered) in a planning application?

• What is a Development Site Appraisal, and who should carry it out?

• Why a chartered planning consultant is the ‘gold standard’ for reliable planning advice.
  

Perfect for those at the very start of a project, especially if you're unsure what’s possible on your land.

Project Management

• What does a project manager do?

• How can a planning-led approach reduce costs?

• Will a project manager save you time and money?
  

Essential reading if you're managing multiple professionals or trying to streamline your planning process.

Planning Applications

• Who should prepare your application: an architect or planning consultant?

• How long does it take, and what will it cost?

• Can you apply for permission on land you don’t own?

• Outline vs. Full applications and the role of pre-application advice.
  

Ideal for homeowners, developers, or landowners ready to move forward with a specific proposal.

Enforcement Matters

• What is an Enforcement Notice, and how do you respond?

• Can you appeal? What happens if you don’t comply?

• How to avoid enforcement action in the first place.
  

A must-read for those dealing with retrospective issues or enforcement threats.

Permitted Development

• What is Permitted Development, and how do you know if it applies to your project?

• Why obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness is smart - even if permission isn’t needed.
  

Great for anyone wondering if they can carry out works without formal planning permission.

Listed Buildings and Heritage

• What permissions are required for listed buildings?

• How to approach unauthorised works - and whether indemnity insurance protects you.

• The role of archaeology and conservation areas in shaping permissions.
  

Key info for owners or buyers of heritage properties.

Third-Party Representations

• Can you object to a planning application?

• What matters count as material planning considerations?

• Can you challenge a granted permission?

• Why a chartered planning consultant strengthens your representation.
  

Helpful if you're concerned about a neighbouring development, or wish to support or object to a proposal.

Why It’s a Great Starting Point for Planning Advice

Our new FAQs are not only informative and easy to understand, but they are also grounded in the expertise of our chartered planning consultants. Whether you're planning a new build, dealing with enforcement, or just trying to understand your property's potential, our FAQs give you the clarity to take the next step confidently.

Best of all, the FAQs demonstrate when it’s time to bring in professional help - help that can save you from making costly mistakes or facing preventable delays.

Final Thoughts

At Salmon Planning and Architecture, we believe that access to good, reliable planning information should be available from the moment you start thinking about development. Our FAQs are your invitation to explore your ideas - with professional insights just a click away.

👉 Visit the FAQs now and start your property development journey.