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Client Feedback

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Client Feedback

From start to finish I have been kept updated, informed and involved at every stage of a very very frustrating application for a change of use from domestic to commercial. We encountered many setbacks but Katy remained calm, professional and supportive throughout. I became accustomed to her jolly emails to both myself and other parties always asking if we were well / had a good holiday or weekend before asking the important questions - and it certainly worked to keep everyone in the process totally onside! I would not hesitate to use Warner Planning again if I needed any help with planning matters

Helen P, Towcester

Warner Planning were very professional and helped us through the planning process. We thank them for helping us to gain change of use for our site. Will definitely recommend.

Majid, Bedford

5* couldn't recommend the team highly enough. Despite a frustrating approach from the council, the team were always on hand and ready to deal with any queries and help us achieve the desired result.

This is our first time of using Warner Planning and we would now not use anyone else having received such a first class service from them! Our main contact has been Katy and she has been absolutely superb in steering our project through to planning approval (and it was not an easy site and we have previously had two rejections) always thinking outside the box and working with such professionalism and expertise. Katy was extremely ably assisted by Sophie who is always completely diligent in what she does and so very pleasant to deal with. All in all absolutely delighted and I really cannot recommend Warner Planning more highly.

Sarah W, Buckingham

We couldn't be more grateful for the exceptional expertise and dedication of Warner Planning. Navigating the complexities of planning permission for our project had proven to be an uphill battle, but the Warner Planning Team made what felt impossible a reality. They demonstrated an impressive understanding of planning regulations, provided innovative solutions, managed the relationship with the Council and handled every challenge with professionalism and determination. Thanks to their guidance and support, our vision is now becoming a reality. We wholeheartedly recommend Warner Planning to anyone needing expert assistance with planning permission—they truly are brilliant!

Sujatha, West London

Having twice unsuccessfully applied for planning I was recommended to appoint Warner Planning. This was therefore a challenging project because of the previous rejected applications. Establishing agreement with the Planning Officer on the village curtilage/build boundary, proximity of large trees and new bio diversity legislation as well as the original concerns about the house design and scale, all adding to the complexity. Warner Planning used their expertise to engage with the Planning Department and address these issues professionally and systematically finally resulting in the granting of our planning application. I would highly recommend the services of Warner Planning.

David Beatty

I can't praise Simon enough for his thorough and professional service. He has gone over and above what he was asked to carry out, achieving results and all at a very reasonable cost. I would highly recommend Simon and his team and would use them again in a heartbeat

Nathan Reekhaye

Our site was Locally Listed, an ex community asset AND Simon was working within a Joint Venture structure. He never got flustered, he had a great rapport with the planning team through a pandemic and our many ups and downs. He is brilliant.

Ashill Regen

I have found Warner Planning very professional, easy to deal with, always prepared to explain planning guidelines and procedures, and give advice on how to proceed.

Jonathan Jeffs

Everything was dealt with from drawing up plans to arranging surveys. I would always use them again and would recommend them to anyone.

Dear Simon, Thank you for helping us get planning permission for our new family home!

Tom McBride

Simon, Thank you for getting our pre-application submitted, promptly and so thoroughly.

Matt Richardson, Land Director of Bluecrest Land
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How to get in touch…

Having a consultant involved in your project, is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and it can drastically speed up the timeline for achieving planning permission.

If you think you need support with your project, we’d be happy to help.

You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.

T: 01908 592580
E: info@warnerplanning.co.uk

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Introduction to Warner Planning

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Introduction to Warner Planning

Welcome to the Warner Planning site. In our first blog we wanted to introduce ourselves and give you the chance to get to know us a little better.

Best to start with what we do.

In a nutshell, we are planning consultants. We support developers, landowners, and domestic clients across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire (Home Counties) and the UK. We help our clients navigate the ever-changing and complicated planning system to make sure they can achieve the best possible outcome for their project, whether it be residential or commercial.

Our approach is to provide transparent, honest and efficient advice at every stage of the process. With our technical knowledge and experience, we work to solve your planning problems. Above everything, our aim is to provide our clients with clear, professional and honest advice.

So, what do planning consultants help with?

In the world of planning, there are a number of areas where we can help our clients. Here is a quick breakdown of the areas that we specialise in.

  • Planning Application Consultancy
  • Planning Appraisals and Advice
  • Discharge of conditions
  • Initial Advice and Pre-Application Submissions
  • Strategic Development Planning and Plans
  • Permitted Development
  • Community Infrastructure Levy/Section 106 Agreements and other Obligations
  • Appeals
  • Health Impact Assessments 
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Simon Warner
Managing Director

Simon has over 15 years experience in the planning industry and at the beginning of 2020, he decided to start his own consultancy, which is where we were born!

Believe it or not though, prior to becoming a Town Planner, Simon had aspirations to be a weatherman. He even auditioned at the BBC!

Michael Aronson 
Town Planner

Our newest member of the Warner Planning team, Michael is a Town Planner.

When he isn’t helping our clients with their projects, Michael enjoys travelling when he can. His favourite experience so far is a four day hike in the mountains to Macchu Picchu in Peru. He is the fourth boy in a family with five brothers. His favourite subject at school was geography, and he now has a collection of globes, maps and atlases.

Michael’s most unusual job was issuing and collecting fines from people falsely claiming free prescriptions and sight tests from the NHS.

He’s assured us that he much prefers life as a Town Planner! 😊

Catrin Davies
Assistant Planner

Catrin has been with us for 7 months as an Assistant Planner. Catrin works on all aspects of planning, ranging from listed buildings, certificates of lawfulness and strategic planning, all the way through to residential and commercial developments. She advises clients on the planning process from start to finish whilst conducting all of the necessary appraisals, reports and applications in between.

Aside from work, Catrin enjoys Cooking, Walks, Socialising (when allowed).

When I set the business up back in Feb 2020, I didn't think that after 5 years we would have a team of six. It's been great to see the business grow and bring new people into the business. Long may it continue!

Simon Warner

How to get in touch…

If you are looking for advice on a project that you have started or are looking to start, let’s have a chat. We’d be happy to help.

All of our contact details are below👇🏼

T:01908 592580
E: info@warnerplanning.co.uk

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Can I appeal a Planning Decision in 2025?

Having a Planning Consultant involved in your appeal gives you a much higher chance of success. Warner Planning have the knowledge, experience and ethos to assess if you have grounds for an appeal and provide your case with the best possible prospects.

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Warner Planning Litter Picking Challenge

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Warner Planning Litter Picking Challenge

The Warner Planning Team were proud to take part in our own Litter Picking challenge in the green space areas around our office in Broughton, Milton Keynes 🌳.

Our most recent team challenge had the Warner Planning team head out from our office in Broughton, Milton Keynes armed with litter picking equipment borrowed with thanks from Broughton and Milton Keynes Parish Council.

The six of us were able to cover a large area of green space, hedgerows, parks and footpaths in the area and in a short time managed to fill 6 large bags with litter which was later collected by Milton Keynes Council. 

#litterpicking #keepbritaintidy #binitdontdropit #teamchallenge #community #volunteering #broughtonmk #miltonkeynes #greatbritishspringclean

View our expertise ➤

How to get in touch…

Having a consultant involved in your project, is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and it can drastically speed up the timeline for achieving planning permission.

If you think you need support with your project, we’d be happy to help.

You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.

T: 01908 592580
E: info@warnerplanning.co.uk

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Can I appeal a Planning Decision in 2025?

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Can I appeal a Planning Decision in 2025?

No one wants an appeal, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If planning has failed, we’d love to represent you in your appeal.

If your planning application has been refused by the Local Authority you have the right to appeal this decision with the Planning Inspectorate. There are specific timescales in which this appeal needs to be submitted depending on the type of application.

How can Warner Planning help me with my appeal?

Having a planning consultant involved at this stage will give you much higher chances of a successful appeal. Our team at Warner Planning has the knowledge, experience and ethos to quickly focus on the facts, assess if you have grounds for an appeal and provide your case with the best possible prospects.

Our approach to appeals is tenacious and our innovative thinking has brought many appeals to a successful conclusion, when at first they may have seemed to be lost causes.

View our expertise ➤

Having a consultant involved in your appeal, is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and it can drastically speed up the timeline for achieving planning permission.

Contact us to discuss your needs and let’s see if we can help you.

How to get in touch…

You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.

T: 01908 592580
E: info@warnerplanning.co.uk

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What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) ?

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What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) ?

In February 2024 a new law was implemented in England which makes it a requirement for all new road and housing developments to achieve a 10% net gain in biodiversity or habitat.

This law will ensure that much needed housing can be provided in England, but it will not come at a cost to our green space, as habitats for wildlife must be left in a measurably better state that they were prior to development.   

Biodiversity is measured in standardised units depending on size, quality, location and type and should be measured by an ecologist who can measure the existing biodiversity value and advise on suitable measures to create or enhance biodiversity.

The Statutory Biodiversity Metric Tool must be used to calculate the required number of biodiversity units required to achieve BNG.

Does this affect me?

Yes, if you are a developer of small sites or major developments, or for nationally significant infrastructure projects from late November 2025.  You will also need to know the new rules if you are a Local Planning Authority or a Land Manager looking to sell in the BNG market.

Your development should try to avoid loss of habitats, and the 10% Biodiversity Net Gain can be achieved either on-site or off-site buy purchasing statutory biodiversity credits.

What developments are exempt from BNG?

  • Planning applications made before the 12th of February 2024.
  • Variations to existing planning permissions.
  • Development that does not impact a priority habitat and impacts less than 25 square metres (5m x 5m) of on-site habitat or 5 meters of on-site linear habitats such as hedgerows.
  • Self-Build and Custom build applications where the LPA are satisfied that the final occupiers have had primary input into the final design and layout and the development is exclusively self-build or custom build dwellings, is of no more than 9 dwellings and on a site no larger than 0.5 hectares.
  • Householder applications are exempt due to the expected low impact on biodiversity.

How can I achieve Biodiversity Net Gain on my project?

Biodiversity Net Gain can be achieved through onsite biodiversity gains, registered offsite biodiversity gains or by purchasing statutory biodiversity credits.

What do I need to do when submitting a planning application?

 

Firstly, you will need to confirm if your development is exempt from BNG. If it is not exempt, information will need to be submitted with your planning application that details how you will meet the 10% BNG objective including how you propose to achieve enhancements on-site.

What happens after I have achieved planning permission?

 

Following the grant of planning permission a Biodiversity gain condition will need to be discharged, by completing a Biodiversity gain plan which will show how the development will achieve BNG. Until this has been approved, development cannot begin.

 

Sources:

Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain 

The Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024 

View our expertise ➤

How to get in touch…

Having a consultant involved in your project, is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and it can drastically speed up the timeline for achieving planning permission.

If you think you need support with your project, we’d be happy to help.

You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.

T: 01908 592580
E: info@warnerplanning.co.uk

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What are Permitted Development Rights in 2025?

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What are Permitted Development Rights in 2025?

Some projects don’t require planning permission as they qualify under “Permitted Development Rights”.

These rights cover a wide range of works including building operations, extensions, demolition and certain changes of use and they can apply to both residential and non-residential properties.

How do I know whether my project qualifies as Permitted Development?

We often receive this question from our clients, and the answer depends on a number of factors, including the size and location of your project, as well as its overall appearance.

Within Permitted Development Rights there are still certain standards and criteria that need to be met such as the size, location and appearance of your project; as well as additional restrictions on Permitted Development in certain ‘designated areas’ such as Conservation Areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We can help you gain a clearer understanding of which Permitted Development Rights may apply to your project, what is likely to be accepted under Permitted Development, or whether a prior approval certificate is required.

View our expertise ➤

Having a consultant involved in your project, is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and it can drastically speed up the timeline for achieving planning permission.

If you think you need support with your project, we’d be happy to help.

How to get in touch…

You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.

T: 01908 592580
E: info@warnerplanning.co.uk

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