Christmas 2025 Office Closure & New Year Planning Update
As we approach the festive season, we wanted to share an important update on our Christmas closure, how you can reach us while our office is closed for the Christmas …
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Major Planning CONSULTANTS
At Planning By Design, we have vast experience in consulting on major planning applications across the UK. These applications can range from plans involving ten or more residential units, dwellings on a site with an area of 0.5 hectares or more, or more of new commercial floorspace or sites with an area of more than 1 hectare. We have worked with a wide range of clients, and our team of development consultants are ready to help you with your major planning application today.
Our team can work with you to meet the specific needs and goals of your major planning application to ensure that it is approved. We provide RIBA certified architectural design services within all stages of the development project, from inception through to planning and building regulations. Your Planning By Design development consultant will ensure that your major planning application meets industry standards and best practices.
Major vs Minor Planning Applications
When looking for a planning application consultant, it’s important to know the difference between a major and minor planning application.
Major planning applications are for large-scale developments. These can include projects with many new houses (typically 10 or more dwellings), large commercial buildings exceeding a certain size (often 1 hectare of land or 1,000 sq m of floorspace), or industrial facilities like for mining or waste management.
A minor planning application, meanwhile, are plans involving residential development of between one and nine dwellings. This also applies where the floorspace is less than 1,000 sq m, householder applications and changes of use. You can see many examples of minor planning applications in our portfolio.
Strategic Planning Applications
A Strategic Planning Application is not a term recognised by the government. Some local authorities will consider major planning applications to be strategic in nature. This will vary depending upon the local authority.
Not all local authorities publish their guidelines for strategic planning applications, but these are generally still considered major planning developments. Typically, more consideration might be given to larger schemes that might affect a larger number of residents or road users.
Why Choose Planning By Design’s Major Planning Consultancy Services?
At Planning By Design, we pride ourselves on offering bespoke development consultancy and architectural design services that are not only aligned with internationally recognised standards but also tailored to meet the unique demands of each major planning application.
There’s no better partner to guide you through the development process, and help you reach the project goals you set out to achieve.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Major Planning Applications
How Long Is The Approval Process For Major Planning Applications?
A minor planning application should take 8 weeks, whereas a major planning application should take 13 weeks, unless an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed. Then, this period changes to 16 weeks. This planning application period starts after a local authority receives a valid planning application, including payment of the fee.
What Is The Consultation Period For Major Planning Applications?
You will have 21 days from the submission of your major planning application to make a comment on the application. However, in exceptional circumstances where an application is particularly large and/or complex, the local planning authority may accept comments after this period passes.
