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Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, BAK Planning provides comprehensive planning consultancy services across England, tailored to your needs.
BAK Planning delivers tailored planning solutions for developers, landowners, and development professionals across England. Our expertise ensures your project moves forward with confidence.
Planning an extension, replacement dwelling, or annexe? We make the complex planning process simple. BAK Planning specialises in helping homeowners to navigate their local planning authority, managing everything from initial planning advice and feasibility studies to full planning applications and householder appeals.
Our planning consultancy is geared towards maximising your return whilst minimising risk. We partner with developers on projects of all scales, from single-plot infills to major housing schemes. Our services include site appraisals, strategic land promotion, S106 negotiations, housing land supply assessments and managing complex planning appeals.
Collaborate with a planning consultant who speaks your language. BAK Planning provide the expert technical planning advice you need to inform your designs, ensuring viability, overcoming policy hurdles, and smoothing the path to approval for your clients' projects.
We manage all types of planning applications from start to finish. From householder applications to complex multi-unit developments, BAK Planning coordinates the preparation and submission of all the necessary documentation, including robust Planning Statements. We liaise with the local planning authority on your behalf, giving your application the strongest possible chance of success.
A refusal from your local planning authority is not the end of the road. BAK Planning has extensive experience overturning refusals at appeal. We can review your case and advise on the best strategy, whether through Written Representations, a Hearing, or a Public Inquiry. We prepare meticulous, evidence-based Statements of Case to challenge the decision and fight for your approval.
Start your project with confidence. We provide upfront, honest planning advice and detailed site appraisals to identify a site's potential and its constraints. This early-stage strategic planning consultancy can save you thousands in abortive costs by ensuring your project is viable from day one.
We help landowners maximise the value of their sites through strategic promotion to the Local Plan process. We can assess your land's development potential and navigate the complex process of promoting it through the Local Plan system, to get it allocated for development.
Local planning authorities are required to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites. When they fail to do so, it creates a significant opportunity for landowners and developers to bring forward sites that might otherwise be considered unsuitable. BAK Planning specialises in this complex area. We meticulously assess a council's housing land supply position and prepare robust evidence to challenge their figures to unlock your site's development potential.
Receiving an enforcement notice from your local council can be a stressful and worrying experience. It's crucial to act quickly and seek expert advice. We have extensive experience in resolving planning enforcement issues. We can assess your situation and advise on the best course of action - whether that's negotiating a solution with the planning department, submitting a retrospective planning application, or lodging a formal enforcement appeal.
Section 106 Agreements (also known as 'planning obligations') are legal agreements that require developers to make financial contributions or other commitments to the local community. While often necessary for an approval, it is essential that these obligations are fair, reasonable, and don't make your project unviable. We provide specialist planning advice and negotiation skills to ensure any S106 agreement is proportionate and correctly justified.
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Permitted Development rights allow land and property owners to undertake certain types of development without needing to submit a full planning application. However, these rights are often complex, subject to numerous conditions, and can be removed by the local planning authority in certain areas. We provide clear guidance on what is possible utilising permitted development rights and the right course of action, helping you to avoid costly mistakes and ensuring your project is fully lawful.
At its core, our work is providing clear, strategic, and commercially astute planning consultancy. This underpins everything we do, from initial site appraisals to managing complex appeals. We act as your trusted advisor, offering the high-level insight and guidance needed to navigate any planning challenge and steer your project from concept to completion successfully.
Clients appreciate BAK Planning's expertise in navigating the planning system, from small-scale projects to strategic developments and land promotion. Here's what they have to say about our services.
"If you are seeking an exceptionally knowledgeable, competent and experienced person to guide you through the minefield of planning, who will give you an honest assessment of your ideas, keep you informed, on the ball, very fair priced and goes the extra mile, look no further.
It is a pleasure to know Ben, he exemplifies what a planning professional should be, it is said the cream always floats to the top - Ben is the at the tip of the top!"
"We have worked with BAK on multiple projects and have consistently been impressed by their professionalism, attention to detail, and strategic thinking. They demonstrate a strong understanding of planning regulations, stakeholder interests, and project timelines. BAK brings clarity to complex issues and offers thoughtful, effective solutions that help move projects forward smoothly and efficiently."
"I contacted BAK Planning for advice on my neighbour’s kitchen extension application, and Ben was incredibly helpful.
He explained the planning process clearly and provided practical, expert guidance. His support made a real difference — I’d highly recommend BAK Planning."
Whether you're just starting out and need some initial planning advice or you're facing a complex planning appeal, we're here to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your needs.
Frequently asked questions.