Should I employ a Chartered Planning Consultant or an Architect to get Planning Permission?

Securing planning permission is an increasingly complex and daunting process - especially when it involves navigating ever-changing local policies, planning law and design expectations.

One of the most common questions we are asked at Salmon Planning is:

“Should I employ a planning consultant or an architect to get planning permission?”

Architects play a vital role in the design and shaping of the built environment and tend to be primarily design-led. Chartered planning consultants operate in the world of policy. When it comes to gaining planning consent - especially for complex or sensitive sites - a chartered planning consultant is often your best starting point.

Planning Considerations and Policies determine Design options

Gaining Planning permission is fundamentally a legal process. Applications are assessed against local and national policy, land use designations, planning law, and material considerations such as ecology, access, heritage, and sustainability.

A chartered planning consultant with extensive training in planning law and policy interpretation will approach proposals from this foundational perspective. At Salmon Planning Company we have an experienced team of RTPI chartered planning specialists; each member of the team has spent time working in a senior capacity for local planning authorities. They work in tandem with our in-house team of experienced chartered architects and understand how best to present a planning application to achieve the greatest chance of a successful outcome.

Starting with planning context to inform the design ensures that any proposal is viable from a

planning perspective from the outset.

While architects are experts in spatial design, a design-led approach without planning input can result in multiple, serial applications, delays, and unnecessary costs - particularly if the design conflicts with planning policy or site constraints.

The Benefits of a Planning-Led Strategy

1. Increased Likelihood of Approval: Chartered planning consultants understand how to frame a proposal within the language of policy and evidence. They can anticipate concerns and mitigate risks before submission. They also understand the workings of the process and can intervene and chase, where appropriate, in a professional manner.

2. Efficient Path to Consent: Chartered planning consultants can engage proactively with local planning authorities, negotiate conditions, and help avoid common application pitfalls.

3. Site-Specific Strategy: No two sites are the same. Whether it’s a rural site near a conservation area or a tricky urban infill, a chartered planning consultant will tailor a strategy that maximises the development potential while addressing possible objections.

4. Expert Representation: Should your application require representation at council meetings, appeals or hearings, employing a chartered planning consultant will ensure the best chance of success at these formal procedures.

When to Involve an Architect

That’s not to say architects shouldn’t be involved - far from it. At Salmon Planning Company, our multidisciplinary team includes in-house chartered architects who work hand-in-hand with our chartered planning consultants to design bespoke, high-quality schemes that complement the site context. And crucially, our process is always planning-led, ensuring that design decisions support a robust planning case.

For the Best Results - Collaborate Early

Early collaboration between chartered planning consultants and architects ensures that policy and design work in harmony. This integrated approach is the cornerstone of successful developments, particularly in sensitive rural areas or sites with complex planning histories. It is also the key to our approach at Salmon Planning Company.

Conclusion

If your goal is to secure planning permission efficiently and cost-effectively, a chartered planning consultant should lead the application process. Their understanding of policy, law, and strategy provides the best foundation for gaining approval - a position that is strengthened when supported by good design. At Salmon Planning Company we are a highly experienced team of chartered planning consultants and architects.

Need help navigating the planning system?

At Salmon Planning Company we offer expert guidance and end-to-end support for residential and commercial developments across the South West and beyond. Get in touch with our Wells or Exeter office to speak to our fully integrated team of chartered planning consultants and Architects.

Contact Us