We provide planning and design advice from the initial site meeting, through design iterations, to the preparation of final planning application material.

We represent developers and property owners in the delivery of high quality new development at a scale ranging from single dwellings to strategic housing sites. We specialise in design-led and sustainable buildings.

We can appraise and secure planning permission for new-build, conversions and changes of use for residential and commercial schemes. We will advise of your options for using a wide range of Permitted Development Rights (including Prior Approval), as well as planning applications and lawful development certificates.

We represent developers and property owners in the delivery of high quality new development at a scale ranging from single dwellings to strategic housing sites and everything in between.

We specialise in design-led and sustainable buildings. We can appraise and secure planning permission for new-build, conversions and changes of use for residential and commercial schemes. We will advise of your options for using a wide range of Permitted Development Rights (including Prior Approval), as well as planning applications and lawful development certificates. For householders, we can provide initial advice about the scope to extend or alter your home, through to a fully managed planning application. 

We can also explain your options for a wide range of ‘permitted development rights’ available to you without the need for a planning application and can advise on the pros and cons of using these compared with a standard householder planning application.

Contact us to discuss your specific requirements. Our focus is generally on the following development types:

• New buildings

• Housing

• Residential change of use (inc. Prior approval / PDR)

• Protected landscapes (South Downs National Park and AONBs)

• Conversions / Changes of use

• Commercial / Industrial

• Permitted development

• Tourism uses (including camp sites and holiday lets)

• “Class Q” agricultural barn conversions

We aim to build long-term working relationships with regular and loyal clients. We work closely with council officers to ensure timely and successful planning submissions.

Our objective is always to deliver a high-quality proposal that balances the best chance of securing planning permission, with the maximum return for the clients.

Contact us to discuss your options for appealing against any refusal of planning permission or a Planning Enforcement Notice.There are many options, strategies and tactics to consider with appeals. We aim to advise you of your rights, and the best strategy if a council refuses your planning application. We will explain the pros and cons of different types of appeal, and whether it is in your best interests to appeal and/or amend your proposals and resubmit a planning application. 

There are limited timescales to appeal a refused planning application so contact us without delay to consider your options.

Whether you are being investigated, have received an Enforcement Notice or wish to raise an enforcement complaint against another party, dealing with planning enforcement can be an unsettling experience.

Let us take the stress out of this process by clearly explaining your rights and options, protecting your interests, and advocating on your behalf with the council’s planning enforcement team.

Our team of chartered town planners have extensive experience of planning enforcement matters. If you are the subject of a planning enforcement investigation, have received a Section 16 notice, or a formal Enforcement Notice, contact us for expert advice, advocacy and professional defence. 

Time is of the essence with a limited timeframe to appeal (if that is the right course of action) so contact us without delay to see how we can help. If you wish to make a complaint about a planning issue on someone else’s land, from unauthorised use to construction without planning permission, we can represent your interests and advocate on your behalf with the local authority’s planning enforcement team.

A comprehensive suite of professional planning services to support local authorities.

Our team boasts extensive experience working within Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) across the southeast, giving us an unparalleled understanding of your unique challenges. With a proven track record, our planners are adept at supporting Councils and frequently draw on our expertise in development management, planning policy, and estates functions.

Beat Planning Application Overload: Cost-Effective Support for Councils

Does your Council face surges in planning applications or struggle with staffing shortages? We can alleviate the burden by providing experienced planners to process and determine applications. Our team will generate thorough assessments and reports, seamlessly integrating with your existing workflows.

We offer a more reliable and cost-effective alternative to agency contractors. Choose from flexible solutions to fit your specific situation. We have highly competitive fixed fees for temporary support, ideal for covering staff absences. Alternatively, we can become a long-term partner, bolstering your development management strategy and building long-term resilience.

Projects: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Dover District Council, Ashford Borough Council, Arun District Council

Unlock the Potential of Your Land: Expert Planning Agents for Councils

Our team of development experts can assist your Estate teams unlock the potential of the Council’s land holdings. We offer a comprehensive service, starting with a thorough appraisal of your land to determine its best use. We then guide you through the planning application process, preparing and submitting all necessary documentation to secure the necessary approvals for development. Our expertise extends beyond these core services, and we're happy to tailor our approach to meet your specific needs, whether that involves feasibility studies, community engagement strategies, or other bespoke instructions.

Councils developing their own land require objective, expert support. We act as your trusted planning agent, ensuring submissions benefit from a professional, commercial viewpoint. This transparency avoids any potential conflicts of interest and fosters public trust. We have a network of vetted specialists (architects, landscape architects, etc.) to guarantee high-quality, professional development proposals.

Projects: Brighton & Hove City Council

Defending Your Decisions: Expert Support for Planning Appeals

We support councils to confidently defend their planning decisions at appeal. Our team of planning specialists acts as expert witnesses or case officers, meticulously preparing and presenting your case at every stage of the appeals process, whether that be written representations, hearings, or public inquiries.

Projects: Mid Sussex District Council

We provide heritage support from initial site appraisals and consultations, through to preparing and submitting comprehensive heritage documentation for planning applications and EIAs.

We understand that heritage is integral to our environment and offer comprehensive heritage services are designed to support developers, private clients and local planning authorities.

Our heritage statements and risk appraisals identify constraints associated with both above and below-ground assets, offering recommendations for managing these effectively. We engage with statutory consultees and local authorities on your behalf to establish positions and improve consent chances. Our team prepares all necessary documentation to support your application, from pre-application stages to full submission. This includes built heritage statements for Listed Building Consents, Statements of Significance, historic phasing reports, Scheduled Monument consents, and environmental statement chapters for projects requiring Environmental Impact Assessments.

Post-permission, our network of archaeological and conservation professionals can assist with discharging any imposed conditions. Our expertise spans architecture, archaeology, legislative frameworks, and relevant policies, ensuring our reports and advice are comprehensive and detailed. We excel in analysing building surveys, drawings, Historic Environment Records, aerial photographs, and LiDAR data.

For those wishing to learn more about their historic buildings, we offer detailed researched and illustrated reports on the history and evolution of these structures. We also prepare Conservation Management Plans for securing the future of historic houses, estates, landscapes, and gardens, aiding in funding and planning for future conservation projects.

Additionally, we support local planning authorities by outsourcing heritage work, including determining Listed Building Consent applications and updating Conservation Area Character Appraisals. Our illustrated appraisals identify areas for improvement, development potential, and detailed design policies, drawing on our extensive knowledge of architecture, archaeology, and the role of heritage in placemaking.

With Whaleback's heritage services, you can ensure a balanced approach to development and heritage conservation, safeguarding our cultural assets for future generations while enabling progress.