Planning

Develop winning planning strategies that deliver successful projects

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Image of Planning LS

We’ll transform your vision into planning success, maximising the potential of your project while respecting its context.

The planning process can be a complex and unpredictable journey. Our expertise in planning consultancy, architecture, master planning, and heritage preservation ensures your project navigates the system smoothly. We'll work with you to develop strategies that achieve your goals while aligning with planning policy and community needs.

Our approach blends technical knowledge, creative design, and a deep understanding of placemaking. We'll help you craft a compelling planning application, engage effectively with stakeholders, and address potential challenges – creating spaces that are both beautiful and functionally successful.

01

Architecture & Design

We realise your project’s potential and help you see things differently.
02

Economics & Social Value

Development projects shape communities, driving economic and social progress. We quantify this impact, helping secure approvals and funding.
03

Heritage Consultancy

We understand what makes our historic environment special and support you in adding value to your buildings without harming what is significant.
04

Masterplanning, Landscape & Assessment

Design that delivers on your priorities and contributes to green infrastructure.
05

Planning Consultancy

Comprehensive planning strategy and submission advice - tailored to your site and your objectives.

Our Local Plan Watch provides an update on the progress of the Local Plans coming forward across our region to highlight the key opportunities for landowners, promoters and developers.

Image of Beds spring Insights 16.04.24

There are several key infrastructure projects progressing across Bedfordshire, all of which will support growth opportunities across the County.

Bedfordshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Positive steps have occurred in both Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Image of Cambs spring Insights 16.04.24

Cambridge continues to remain firmly in the headlights of Michael Gove.

Cambridgeshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Image of essex spring Insights 16.04.24

There are good opportunities available across Essex, with new Local Plans at the early stages of review across the north and centre of the county and immediate opportunities available in some areas elsewhere.

Essex Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Image of herts spring Insights 16.04.24

The ‘incentives’ for plan-making within the updated NPPF appear to be working, particularly in south-west Hertfordshire with activity ramping up, albeit under the shadow of a greater protection to the Green Belt and reduced housing numbers being proposed.

Hertfordshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Image of herts spring (1) Insights 16.04.24

Despite the Mayor being directed by the Secretary of State to take further action on London’s housing plan, City Hall has recently announced an additional Housing Kickstart Fund and has committed significant sums to building 76,000 new homes on brownfield sites.

London Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Image of northants spring Insights 16.04.24

West Northamptonshire have taken a big step forward in the preparation of their strategic plan; the draft Plan for Regulation 18 consultation has been published.

Northamptonshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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A varied plan-making picture across Norfolk as the Greater Norwich Local Plan is finally adopted.

Norfolk Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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We are seeing significant activity across Oxfordshire with all five local authorities having recently published or due to shortly publish draft Local Plans for consultation.

Oxfordshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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Image of Oxs spring (1) Insights 10.04.24

A mixed picture across Suffolk, in terms of plan-making progress.

Suffolk Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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It's in the numbers

91,700

homes we are currently promoting/securing permission for across the UK

11.7m sqft

of S&T floorspace the planning department currently advises on

Top20

town planners in 2023 according to the Planning Resource Consultancy Survey (no. 17)

Meet our trusted experts

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Mike Derbyshire

Partner, Head of Planning

Mike leads Bidwells’ planning practice. He is a passionate and vastly experienced advocate for thoughtful, well-designed development and a thought leader on the future of planning in England.

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Chris Pattison

Deputy Head of Planning

Chris has been delivering challenging client briefs across Oxford, the South East and Scotland for more than 20 years.

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Dianna Fletcher

Partner, Head of Heritage

Dianna is an architect by background with over 25 years experience of working on complex heritage projects across multiple sectors.

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Mark Teasdale

Partner, Head of Economics and Social Value

Mark leads our client offering on socioeconomics, regeneration, social value, health impact assessment, and equalities.

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Danielle Percy

Danielle Percy

Partner, Head of Landscape Architecture & Masterplanning

At all stages of the development process, Danielle and her team of landscape architects and urban designers are on hand to help you.

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Mark Myles

Partner, Head of Planning Scotland

Mark's 30+ years’ experience in public and private sector development management gives him a deep understanding of planning across Scotland.

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Martina Sechi

Associate, Head of Landscape & Townscape Assessment

Martina is passionate about townscape architecture, ensuring her clients’ visions are delivered in a way that complement their settings.

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Project

Abcam

Abcam supplies two thirds of the world's life scientists with the biological tools required for research, which means they need specialist laboratories.

AbCam-9-Pano
Project

Annabel’s

The world-famous Annabel's opened in 1963 and has remained one of the most iconic venues in London. Situated in a Grade I listed townhouse in Berkeley Square, we replicated the nightclub in its new location and enhanced the facilities for members and guests.

Annabel's 1
Project

Cambridge BioMedical Campus

A cure for cancer may one day be discovered at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, but a decade before pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Cancer Research UK joined Addenbrooke’s Hospital to create this world-class life sciences cluster, we were helping the landowners reimagine their neighbouring farmland

CBC-Aerial-view-south
Project

Arrow Mill

A pub on the site of a historic flour mill required extensive refurbishment and alterations to create a stunning restaurant space and luxury accommodation.

Brunning and Price - Arrow Mill
Project

Balliol College, University of Oxford

Once the medieval suburb of Holywell, the site is now located in the City and University Conservation Area. It became one of Central Oxford’s largest redevelopments – which needed a team to deliver practical and proactive advice on a site at the crossroads of historical Oxford.

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Project

Arundel Street, Portsmouth

A project that perfectly aligns with Portsmouth's future-proof masterplan, we helped to achieve planning for brand new student halls and facilities. The 28-storey building will include housing for almost 600 individuals, communal spaces and a bar for students.

Arundel Street Portsmouth
Project

CB1 Masterplan

Ambitious developer Brookgate set out to transform Cambridge’s fading train station area by delivering Lord Roger’s visionary 1.6m sq ft CB1 masterplan. They needed more than just a team of consultants, they needed local experts with a vested interest.

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Project

Bedford School, New Academic Building

Our client wished to create a purpose-built academic building to provide additional classrooms for maths, economics, and computer sciences.

Arrival View
Project

Broadland, North Norfolk

An innovative strategy to deliver premium, affordable housing to communities in Norfolk, Broadlands is a pioneering scheme that illustrates how new developments can positively contribute to local communities.

Broadlands
Project

Cambridge Children's Hospital

This new world-class hospital will bring physical and mental healthcare together under one roof, with dual-trained staff working in unison for an innovative, holistic approach to children’s treatment.

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Project

Cambridge Mosque

Enhancing the Cambridge Muslim community with Europe’s first ever eco-mosque, designed with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Cambridge Mosque - Islamic garden fountain front portico
Project

Cambridge North

We have completed extensive development evaluations and appraisals which have realised additional value at Cambridge North, starting with our negotiation of the development agreement for the site’s development.

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