How property consultancy can smooth the path to planning success
The government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes in this parliament has been backed up by recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that intend to speed up housing delivery. While these revisions aim to make the planning process more efficient, navigating the system remains highly complex. Developers must demonstrate not only that their schemes meet housing targets, but also that they will contribute positively to local communities, infrastructure and sustainability goals.
There are many parts to that and one additional requirement in London could be that as part of the updated 2026 London Plan developers will be required to submit to the relevant local planning authority the ‘steps they have taken to ensure maximum lifespan of building components and maximise whole-life value for money for leaseholders’.
Getting it right from the very start
Getting developments right from the outset is key to securing planning approval quickly and ensuring long-term success. Developers need to anticipate potential challenges, address regulatory requirements and create places that are well-designed, cost-effective to manage and highly liveable for future residents. From concept design through to long-term estate management our development consultancy service supports developers at every stage.
Consider long-term management at the outset
Too often, developments are designed without fully considering how they will be managed in the long term. Developers can design out inefficiencies, reduce future operating and service charge costs, and enhance the customer experience, through Design for Management reports that advise on layout, infrastructure and service provisions from the start. This approach not only supports the planning process but also ensures that developments remain financially sustainable and attractive to both buyers and investors.
Financial planning – how to get it right
Financial planning is another critical area of course. Realistic cost projections reduce the risk of unexpected expenses that could deter potential buyers or lead to disputes further down the line. We can provide real benchmarked comparators and costs to our clients through our huge wealth of operational experience and the data we have access to across our portfolio.. This expertise in service charge budgeting and cost assessments means we provide our clients with accurate, benchmarked financial models, ensuring that service charges are set at a fair and sustainable level.
Helping you through the regulatory maze!
Regulatory compliance and health and safety have become increasingly complex, particularly with new building safety legislation. From fire safety and building compliance to utilities handover and procurement strategies, developers must navigate the growing list of legal and regulatory requirements with confidence. Through our specialist teams we can assist including through our dedicated 32-person Health & Safety team, who can provide expert guidance on evolving regulations, ensuring that developments meet the latest standards.
How we have helped major developers deliver positive planning outcomes
We have seen first-hand how early-stage consultancy can contribute to successful developments. At Earls Court, we are part of the consultant team that working with the client led the planning submission to reinstate the iconic former exhibition centre as a thriving, global destination. We played a key role in shaping the masterplan for 4,000 homes, ensuring estate management and service charge strategies were embedded from the start. This proactive approach helped meet the planning requirements for a well-considered long-term estate management strategy and set the foundations for a thriving, well-integrated community.
Similarly, at Dagenham Green, a 3,500-home regeneration scheme, we worked closely with stakeholders including The Hill Group and Peabody to model service charges over a multi-phase development programme, plan for void periods and optimise estate management strategies, ensuring a seamless transition from planning to delivery.
Ultimately, successful developments are about more than just securing planning approval, they must be financially viable, well-managed and desirable places to live. By optimising every stage of development and considering key issues around how people will live in them, developers can avoid costly pitfalls, accelerate the approval process and create integrated communities that will stand the test of time.
By Jo Watson, Head of Business Development at Rendall & Rittner
