Our Sectors
We provide tailored planning services to both private and public sector clients, covering projects of all sizes across residential and commercial development.
At BJC Planning we specialise in town planning and development consultancy working in Hampshire, London and Southern England.
Our experience spans everything from urban sites, including in Central London - to rural and edge-of-settlement locations.
Whether offering focused advice on smaller projects or managing the complexities of large-scale developments, we deliver a professional, personal service.
Residential Development
Our work on residential development can vary from domestic extensions to single dwellings or larger schemes for 100s of dwelling units.
Commercial Development
We can advise on proposals for new commercial development and for changes of use in existing premises. If appropriate we will advise you on the provisions of the Use Classes Order.
Retail, Leisure & Hotels/Hospitality
We can assist you with schemes for leisure uses such as gyms, We can assist you with schemes for retail and leisure uses such as gyms, padel courts, tennis courts, children’s indoor play zones and recreational areas as well as all types of retail establishments.
We also undertake schemes for hotels, and the hospitality sector including restaurants, cafes and tourism accommodation.
Care & Retirement
We have experience of submitting planning applications within the care and retirement sector. We can assist with schemes across the whole sector, including Retirement Housing and Communities, Assisted Living & Extra Care facilities and full Care and Nursing Homes.
Energy & Infrastructure
There are many areas that may require planning applications to be submitted involving energy and infrastructure that we can assist with including solar farms, wind turbines, battery storage, substations, grid reinforcements, pipelines, transport hubs, and more.
Self/Custom Build
BJC Planning have involvement in the promotion of self and custom build development. We are able to assist if you have land on which you would like to consider this form of development. We have experience in submitting and negotiating on schemes for custom build housing. This involves obtaining planning permission and approval of plot passports and design codes.
Industrial & Logistics
Applications often cover multi unit warehousing, distribution centres, employment zones, logistic and data centres amongst others, all of which we can assist with planning applications for.
Coastal Defences
We have experience in gaining planning permission for replacement gabions on Southampton Water and have successfully gained approval for renewed sea defences. We can assist in applications for similar projects.
Rural, Agricultural & Equestrian Development
BJC Planning has extensive experience in development in rural areas. This covers a range of work such as the beneficial change of use and conversion of agricultural buildings, the replacement and expansion of buildings in the countryside, the development of rural exception sites and advising on agricultural workers’ occupancy conditions.
The issues of development in the countryside usually demand a sensitivity to the potential impact of the development on the environs. We work closely with landscape consultants, ecologists, historic building consultants and architects to ensure that proposals for development in rural areas are appropriately formulated.
Historic Environment
We are happy to advise on developments in Conservation Areas, work on Listed Buildings, locally Listed Buildings and unlisted heritage assets. We support planning applications and Listed Building applications with Heritage Statements addressing the needs of the historic environment. BJC Planning also has experience in supporting the restoration of Listed Buildings through the promotion of ‘enabling development’ which can finance expensive works.
We work with applicants, architects and historic building specialists to tailor solutions to specific needs.
Enforcement
Where development occurs without planning permission, or in breach of a planning condition then a Local Planning Authority may choose to take action including serving a legal notice. We can assist to help avoid such notices, or advise what you need to do if this does happen.
Work for Local Authorities
In addition to working for private clients, our extensive knowledge and background in Local Government means that we are able to undertake work for Local Planning Authorities, often with minimum disruption to or assistance from the Authority.
We undertake work for a variety of Local Planning Authorities including advice on Local Plan preparation and representation at Local Plan Inquiries.
We can represent the Authority in planning appeals, whether by Written Representation, Hearing or Local Inquiry. We have considerable experience in the latter and can provide Evidence either alongside Officers from the Authority or independently. Experience includes S78 and S174 Appeals.
Legal Agreements (S106)
Many applications, especially for residential development, involve the need for a legal agreement to secure matters such as nutrient neutrality, affordable housing, open space, or highway works. Whilst we will not draught these, we can assist in advising on where these are or are not a reasonable requirement.
Nutrient Neutrality
We can advise on nutrient neutrality, on the preparation of budgets and on off-setting options.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Many planning applications can give rise to a requirement to pay CIL. In some circumstances a CIL form must be completed to support a planning application even if CIL is not payable.