Planning enforcement help, from start to finish

Enforcement Notice Response

Don't panic — there's almost always a way forward.

Receiving an enforcement notice can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. But enforcement notices are not the end of the road — and in many cases, they can be challenged, negotiated, or resolved entirely.

What we do

• Review the notice in full and identify any legal or procedural errors
• Advise on your realistic options — appeal, compliance, or negotiation
• Prepare and submit a formal appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if appropriate
• Liaise with the local planning authority on your behalf
• Keep you informed at every stage, in plain English

Planning Enforcement Appeals

A refusal isn't always the final word.

When an Enforcement Notices are served an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate is often the right next step. We can put you in touch with trusted agents and Barristers to help manage the process professionally, persuasively and with clear strategy. Don't worry — we will still be right by your side when needed.

What we do

• Assess the merits of your appeal and advise on the best procedure (written reps, hearing, or inquiry)
• Prepare a compelling appeal statement addressing the reasons the appeal should be dismissed
• Manage all correspondence with the Planning Inspectorate
• Represent you at hearings or inquiries where required
• Advise on costs awards where the authority has behaved unreasonably

Retrospective Planning Applications

Work done without permission doesn't have to stay that way.

Development carried out without planning permission — whether through oversight, misunderstanding, or a change in circumstances — can often be regularised through a retrospective application. We can put you in touch with trusted agents who will prepare and submit these applications to give your development the best chance of approval.

What we do

• Assess whether retrospective permission is achievable and advise honestly if it isn't
• Prepare a thorough planning statement setting out the case for approval
• Manage the application process from submission to decision
• Negotiate with planning officers where appropriate
• Advise on any conditions attached to an approval

Breach of Condition Notices

A condition breach doesn't have to become a crisis.

A Breach of Condition Notice (BCN) is served by a local planning authority when conditions attached to a planning permission have not been complied with. Unlike an enforcement notice, there is no right of appeal against a BCN — which makes getting the right advice quickly absolutely essential.

What we do

• Review the BCN and the original planning conditions in full
• Advise on whether the condition is lawfully enforceable and identify any weaknesses
• Explore routes to compliance or variation of the condition through a planning application
• Liaise with the local planning authority to negotiate a practical resolution
• Help you avoid prosecution by acting swiftly and strategically

Expert Witness Services

Independent, credible, and authoritative — when it matters most.

When planning disputes reach appeal or prosecution, the quality of expert evidence can be decisive. Our consultants are experienced in acting as expert witnesses in both Planning Inspectorate appeals and court proceedings, providing clear, impartial, and well-evidenced testimony that stands up to scrutiny.

What we do

• Act as expert witnesses in Planning Inspectorate appeals — written representations, hearings, and inquiries
• Provide expert witness evidence in planning prosecution cases in the Magistrates' and Crown Court
• Prepare expert reports that meet the requirements of Civil Procedure Rules and planning inquiry procedures
• Give clear, credible oral evidence and withstand cross-examination
• Work closely with your legal team to ensure planning evidence is properly integrated into your case

Prosecution Support

Facing prosecution? You don't have to face it alone.

When planning enforcement escalates to prosecution, the stakes are high — but the right support can make all the difference. We work alongside a trusted network of solicitors and barristers who specialise in planning law, ready to step in and fight your corner. And throughout the process, we stay right by your side.

What we do

• Connect you with trusted solicitors and barristers who specialise in planning enforcement prosecution
• Help prepare clear, compelling witness statements and supporting documentation
• Assist with preparation for court appearances so you know exactly what to expect
• Review the prosecution case and identify any procedural or evidential weaknesses
• Provide ongoing planning expertise to support your legal team throughout proceedings

Lawful Development Certificates

Certainty is worth more than you might think.

A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal decision from the local planning authority confirming that a use, operation, or activity is lawful. It doesn't grant permission — it confirms that permission isn't needed, or that an existing use has become lawful through the passage of time.

What we do

• Advise on whether an LDC is the right route for your situation
• Gather and present the evidence needed to support the application
• Prepare and submit the application to the local planning authority
• Challenge any refusal through appeal if appropriate
• Advise on the scope and limitations of any certificate granted