At a glance
- Feasibility studies
- Site promotion
- Change of use
- Planning applications and appeals
- Heritage and listed building advice
Clients
Commercial
Commercial architects and planning consultants helping businesses adapt premises, explore site potential and move commercial projects through planning.
Key contact
Jon Millhouse
Director – Chartered Town Planner
Commercial sites, clearer decisions
Make your premises work harder for the business.
Whether you are adapting existing premises, reviewing a site’s commercial potential or planning a new use, early planning and design advice can help you understand what is realistic before decisions become expensive.
Planning & Design Practice works with business owners, investors, landowners, farmers, property developers and other architects on commercial projects of different scales. Our in-house team can support your development aspirations from early feasibility and site promotion through to pre-application advice, planning applications, appeals and next steps.
Commercial planning and design support
From small business premises to larger commercial schemes, we provide practical advice tailored to the site, the planning route and your commercial objectives.
Feasibility studies
Early planning and design advice to help you understand the potential of a property, site or building before committing to a course of action.
Site promotion
Support for promoting land or commercial opportunities through local plans and longer-term planning strategy.
Pre-application advice
Guidance on when pre-application engagement is worthwhile and how to use it to test issues before a full submission.
Planning applications
Support with outline and full planning applications, coordinating the drawings, statements and supporting information needed.
Change of use
Advice where a building or site needs to move into a different use, including strategy, applications and supporting evidence.
Appeals, heritage and listed buildings
Support where a proposal has been refused or where heritage appraisals, listed building applications or sensitive settings need careful handling.
Services for commercial projects
Commercial projects often need planning, architecture, heritage and sometimes urban design working together, particularly where sites are constrained, operationally important or commercially sensitive.
Urban Design
Support for commercial layouts, site movement, public-facing spaces, regeneration and larger business-led proposals.
Planning
Planning advice, feasibility studies, pre-application strategy, planning applications and negotiation for commercial sites and business premises.
Heritage
Specialist input where commercial property, listed buildings or sensitive settings require heritage-aware planning and design advice.
Architecture
Architectural design for business premises, commercial schemes, extensions, alterations and site-specific building projects.
Appeals
Advice and representation where a commercial planning application has been refused or needs a stronger case.
Enforcement
Practical advice where a business use, building work or operational activity is affected by a planning enforcement issue.
From commercial need to planning route
The right advice early on can reduce uncertainty, avoid wasted time and help align the planning strategy with the business objective.
Clarify the opportunity
Understand the business objective
We begin by understanding what the premises, site or land needs to achieve commercially, operationally and in planning terms.
Test the position
Review use, constraints and planning history
We review whether the proposal may fall under permitted development, prior approval, a full planning application, a Certificate of Lawfulness or another consent route.
Choose the route
Identify the right planning strategy
We advise whether the project needs feasibility work, site promotion, pre-application advice, change of use, a planning application, an appeal or another route.
Coordinate the case
Prepare the information decision-makers need
We bring together drawings, statements, heritage input and supporting material so the proposal is clearly presented and commercially focused.
Keep momentum
Support the project through the process
We assist with officer discussions, revisions, appeals, conditions and follow-up advice so you have expert support at hand as the project develops.
Featured projects
Commercial experience across sectors
A wide range of commercial clients
We work with landowners, existing business owners, property developers, investors, farmers and other architects.
Small and large-scale schemes
Our team can design and support both small and larger commercial projects, tailoring the approach to your requirements.
From design to completion
Our in-house planning, architecture and heritage team can provide comprehensive support throughout the process.
Established professional relationships
Strong working relationships with Local Planning Authorities help us understand what decision-makers need to assess.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We can provide a professional view on the planning potential of a property, site or building at the outset, helping you understand risks, opportunities and likely next steps.
Yes. We advise on change of use matters, including whether planning permission is likely to be required, what evidence may be needed and how best to present the case.
Yes. We support commercial projects of different scales, from adapting existing premises to larger schemes, site promotion and redevelopment opportunities.
Yes. We can advise whether pre-application engagement is worthwhile, prepare the submission and help use the feedback to shape the next stage.
Yes. We can review the refusal reasons and advise whether an appeal, revised application or alternative planning strategy is likely to be the right next step.
Yes. Our in-house team includes planning consultants, architects, designers and heritage specialists, allowing us to support commercial projects from design through to completion.
Planning your next move?
Talk to us about your business premises or site
Whether you are adapting premises, exploring site potential, changing use or progressing a commercial scheme, we can help clarify the planning and design route forward.
