Ive had such an amazing service from Planning by Design, customers service has been really helpful and understanding and the community has just been wonderful!! Cara has just gone above and beyond is... See more
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Very knowledgeable and thorough. Polite and always looking to help. Only reason I didn't give 5 star is the replies could be a bit slow, sometimes taking a few days but I guess thats because they are... See more
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Feasibility Study I asked Planning by Design for a feasibility study concerning turning my garage into a bedroom. I had 2 phone calls about this and they produced a very detailed, professional report... See more
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Planning by Design Ltd has been my choice to deal with my dropped kerb application and they have been great, with a good price and speed.
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4.4
Excellent
298 reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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Excellent service
Pbd provided a clear cut and professional service. The planning consultant was clear and realistic about what the best approach would be for obtaining planning permission. The method of payment was flexible and accommodating. Very pleased with the service provided so far.
13 November 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Rizwana, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience, it really does mean a lot to us! We are delighted that you have been pleased with our service so far and remain ready to help with any further questions or requirements should the need arise.
It's taken again but almost there now
It's taken again but almost there now
7 November 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Ted, thanks very much for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience. We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval and of course if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
Be careful before using this company
Be careful before using this company. They will NEVER visit your site. Drawings are made from OS resources and not very accurate (In my case, a subsequent independent tree survey demonstrated that trees on their drawings were actually in the middle of a road! I was initially asked to pay for the amendment to their mistake). I did eventually get permission for my build after 6 months, but now need to consult with another architect to get to the next stage. The MD has weird ideas about how to run a business, and converse with customers too.
16 October 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Terry, you instructed Planning By Design to produce architectural drawings and submit a planning application for a proposed new garage.
We did this, the design was as per your brief and you approved the plans to confirm 100% satisfaction before we submitted your application.
WE GOT YOUR PLANNING APPROVED 6 MONTHS AGO!!!!
You have not contacted us to raise any concerns since and in fact, you requested a quote for building regulations following the approval.
Here is a link to your feasibility report, drawings, planning statement and PLANNING APPROVAL letter to refresh your memory https://planning-by-design.co.uk/portfolio/construction-of-the-new-garage-in-the-front-garden-1157/
We are not tree surgeons or tree surveyors and all quotes clearly state that if third-party specialists are required the client is responsible for these.
You wouldn't expect a plumber to fly an aeroplane, would you?
Exactly, town planners, architects, tree surgeons, builders etc are all very different jobs and skills.
A site visit was not required as clearly demonstrated by the fact we got your planning approved without a site visit.
However, you could have paid for a site visit a if you had wanted to and yet you chose not to do this.
We are ARB Chartered architects and RTPI chartered town planners so to imply we are not real/legitimate is defamation.
This review will now be reported, if it is not removed within 24 hours we will take swift and decisive legal action for all damages caused and losses as a result of this defamatory review.
Planning approval for HMO in article 4 area
Planning by design gave a very detailed appraisal of our needs and the feasibility of a successful planning approval. Mislav and his team were very thorough, and we have successfully gained planning permission for 4 bed HMO in an article 4 area. (Gaining planning approval for HMO in an article 4 area can be really difficult if not impossible at times, but Planning by design managed to secure this for us, very pleased indeed. Will definitely use again. Thanks again Mislav and team.
22 October 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Lily, thanks very much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words, it really means a lot us! You're absolutely right, sometimes the planning process can be very complex and challenging so we are thrilled to have helped you secure planning approval, especially given the constraints. Of course, if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please don't hesitate to let us know.
Planning permission received
I am not very computer literate so when we were considering converting our garage into a space for my son's music, games and an extra bedroom for visitors, we went on line and found Planning By Design. They were always courteous and helped and they sent the relevant paperwork to our local council who have now given us the necessary planning permission. Excellent company and I would definitely recommend them
15 October 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Margaret, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words, we really appreciate it! Our goal is always to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices and we are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application. Of course, if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please do let us know. :)
I was really glad to have picked Planning by Design
I was really glad to have picked Planning by Design when I was recently considering whether to extend the front of my house to create a porch and move my front door forward. I needed to make a decision quickly and at no great expense and their team were quick and very professional from receiving my request for a quote on a Tuesday, calling me and providing me with a quote on Wednesday, and booking me in for a planning appraisal for only the following day. Thank you to Cara for supporting me throughout the process!
For what felt like a modest fee, I was able to share my plans with a few bullet points and some demonstrative photos and the appraiser was able to give me some brief feedback on whether or not I would need planning permission, and the likelihood of permission being granted. Obviously, he was not able to give me certain advice on what the council would decide but it really helped with my decision making.
I didn't end up choosing to proceed with the works (because it was flagged as needing a certificate of lawfulness which would have taken 8 weeks for council review) but this was a really helpful step in my thought process.
11 October 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience. We are thrilled that you have been pleased with our service and really appreciate your kind words. Of course, if you have any further questions about this or any other projects in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
From my experience; planning by design
From my experience, this company and their manager are corn men particularly their manager is a bull, he enjoy blaming is customers for his advice he knows he had intention in carrying out, but just after the customers money,
I wish i never go with them in the first places.
7 October 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hello Celestina, it's a bit strange given you contacted us after receiving an enforcement notice and
WE SECURED RETROSPECTIVE PLANNING PERMISSION FOR YOU!!!!!
Here is the link to view the architect drawings and retrospective planning approval: https://planning-by-design.co.uk/portfolio/retrospective-planning-permission-for-various-works-134/
In addition to the illegal structural changes you made you were also caught illegally renting the property without obtaining planning approval for a change of use.
This again was your fault, not ours and we are not the one who issued the enforcement or made the rules.
You might not like it but if you are going to blatantly break the law then you have to accept the consequences.
Great people who delivered at every stage
From the start, Planning By Design have been really on top of things and have kept me informed at every step of our railway carriage coffee shop project with Costa coffee for Five Acre Wood school, a superb place for children and teenagers with learning difficulties.
4 September 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Jeremy, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. We are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval. If you have any further questions or need assistance with anything in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
I'm very happy with this company
I'm very happy with this company, they have done all drawings and applications from start to finish for me . Got all approved 👌 Saved so much my time and was stress free . Specially big thank you to Sarah Cornwell for the hard work 😊
Highly recommending . Thank you 😊
Best regards
Jurate Z
26 September 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Jurate, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. We are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth and stress-free process. Of course, if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please don't hesitate to let us know.
Excellent service
Excellent service, efficient, thoughtful and good communication. Highly recommended!
14 September 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Michelle, thanks very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. We are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process. If you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future just let us know and we'll be glad to help.
Good service
I have had a good journey so far with Planning by design, the staff are very nice and helpful. The drawings were great and turnaround time is good.
9 September 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Arron, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. If you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please do let us know and we will be glad to help.
The whole team were efficient
The whole team were efficient, reliable and professional.
What they provided was clear and easy to follow.
Great service all round, will certainly use them again if the need arises.
31 July 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Helen, thanks very much for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience, it really does mean a lot to us. We are delighted that you have been pleased with the service provided and remain ready to assist you further should you have any questions or future projects.
Absolutely excellent service
Absolutely excellent service, from initial consultation to understand what we were planning, through comprehensive architectural drawings and advice regarding the planning process. Application was approved at first pass, so very happy clients.
30 August 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Mark, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience. We are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application process. Of course, if you have any further questions or require help with anything in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
Garage conversion
I came across Planning by Design by pure chance when I was searching for a garage conversion and I’m so glad I did! From the moment I submitted my first enquiry I have had nothing but a positive experience with them. The communication has been amazing (particularly Kim) as was the initial consultation with one of the planners. I was pleased with the initial report. Thank you again
1 July 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Mrs Josan, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience, it really does mean a lot to us. We are delighted to hear that you have been pleased with our service and of course, if you have any further questions or require any assistance with anything in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
HMO Planning
Very Prompt and detailed replies to my enquiries. Planning by design supported me with obtaining planning permission in order to obtain the HMO for my property. Great Service and looking forward to working with them again when I increase my property portfolio.
19 August 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi John, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. We are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process. We look forward to assisting you with your future projects and if you have any questions in the meantime just let us know.
Avoid like the Plague
As a small business owner looking to expand I made the mistake of selecting Planning by design to help me with getting change of use for a property.
After facing some difficulties with the council, in what Planning by design deemed too specialised for them I was essentially abandoned and they made no effort to get in touch in order to try resolve situation.
This is perhaps due to the "1,500" clients they have which is what Abigail once quoted to me and that I should be more patient. This was of course at a time I was very concerned with how things were going and made me feel more like an inconvenience to them than a customer that had just paid £1,800 for their services.
From here I then made decision to find a new company and look to try salvage my application, which thankfully I did however at the expense of more time and money.
With this new company involved my application was accepted only after having to resubmit a completely new design brief and sequential test.
I then get an automated email from planning by design saying congratulations on your planning permission being accepted and if I could give them a review on their performance. This was almost rubbing salt in the wounds to the level of service they had just provided and at very least should be offering compensation.
I then email back in shock that they could actually try claim success for this project. Their MD then got involved in which he got a it upset and stated would not be replying back to any of my emails, however I'm sure they will be sharp to respond back to this, as I add to an ever-growing list of negative experiences.
Here are some of the many issues I had in my time using planning by design in more detail :
1. From the initial invoice they sent me it carelessly had the wrong unit I was applying for written on.
2. I stated at very start after sending my pre application from council across to them, sequential testing would be needed. I felt this was ignored by your company and took the easy route of just seeing if they could submit a bog standard application and get it passed through.
3. Once payment was made and drawings had been approved the town planner was unable to send over his work to me and I was asked to make payment to council without viewing what had been completed in order to reduce waiting time from council.
4. At no point did the town planner ever ring me to get a feeling and understanding of my business.
5. When I was able to call yourself you reminded me exactly how many clients you had “1,500” I believe, which again I felt like I was more of an inconvenience than a customer to you.
6. Every possible hurdle with council they encountered would look to outsource work, for example the issue with highways, this was deemed too specialist for them to deal with so would try and pass me off to reports for you who weren’t even getting paid from me provided me with more help on this matter then the town planner assigned to my case. At the end of this I wrote a statement myself which then satisfied highways - so if I can write it again proves its hardly too “specialist"
7. When looking for help on this matter I sent to my town planner a report from my last unit that I was denied on and was asking if could do something similar. Instead again they carelessly presumed this was related to my current unit and just uploaded to councils website causing embarrassment on my end with council saying it was the wrong site which I then had to email the officer to explain.
8. As mentioned in point 2. - after waiting 3 months for councils response they came around and said sequential testing was needed delaying my application and costing me more time. You guys again then said this was to specialist and I should look for another company for help. Eventually after numerous emails sent you sent me a quote for a sequential test but at this point I had completely lost faith in your company and decided not to waste any more money with yourselves and more importantly run the risk of having my application denied.
*In response to their copy and pasted comment, which sums up their company again for lack of ability to care and actually read things through. I submitted a pre app to council which I sent to them and gives far more information on what is needed for application then one of their planners "Pre appraisals" that they charge £95 for. I sent across to them which it stated SEQUENTIAL TESTING was needed.
10 March 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Thank you for your feedback and we are sorry to hear of your disappointment given we got planning permission approved for you!!!!
https://planning-by-design.co.uk/portfolio/change-of-use-from-an-industrial-to-an-indoor-sport-complex/
There was no need for you to instruct another party to produce a new planning statement but that was your choice to do so.
You paid us to prepare your architect drawings, planning statement, submit and manage your application to determination. We did all of this and got planning permission approved for you!
You complain about the price but our competitors would have charged you more than double what you paid with us for the exact same thing and as you said, you paid several thousand just for a new statement that you didn’t even need!
You did not pay or instruct us for sequential reports or highways statements and we would never charge clients for us to take on work outside the remit of a town planner or architect. It would be like paying a plumber to fly an aeroplane.
You did not want a planning appraisal and instead insisted on just paying a quote without having a planning appraisal despite our warnings.
Had you had a planning appraisal we would have been able to tell you before you instructed us what you would require such as a sequential test etc. Again this was your poor decision making.
You took several weeks to instruct even once we had quoted so time can't have been that much of a concern.
We always provide expert advice with our customer's best interests at heart while trying to keep costs and time frames to a minimum.
We will never charge clients for anything that is not absolutely necessary and most of our clients appreciate this.
Ultimately, the planning authority has the final say and can request any additional information or reports at their discretion.
Given these cost in excess of £1000 in almost all case we will as I say try to limit the requirement for these and if we think they are not required or there is a case to be made as to why the council should not insist on these then we'll do everything we can to avoid these to help our clients.
If you knew as you claim to have known or even wanted to pay for a sequential report or anything else you were free to do so. These are not reports we can produce and it makes no difference to us.
Planning authorities are significantly backlogged and the process will always take at least 3 months from start to finish but more commonly 4-6 months or longer due council delays.
The way to avoid stress and pressure as a result of timing is to plan ahead and instruct as early as possible to allow as much time as possible. Other than this there isn't anything anyone can do to speed the council up, like the NHS they are understaffed, underpaid and massively backlogged.
We submitted your application within a month (27 days from the date you provided your design brief) which is what our quotes say we aim to do. We have secured planning approval which can never be guaranteed and while it might have taken longer than you like this is beyond our control and we have delivered everything you asked and paid for.
Our experts planners and architects helped you achieve your goal with your best interests at heart. As I say most of our customers truly appreciate the lengths we go to to keep costs down, our speed and efficiency together with our high success rate. We do appreciate we can't please everyone and of course respect your opinion.
Avoid using this company
Update:
Read all the similar reviews I wish I had. No advice was offered the below reply is a lie. Grant the owner isn’t bothered in dealing with complaints properly. But remember you can’t use your drawings to do a new submission because its his intellectual property. I thought I’d put that one liner in so he didn’t have to add it again.
Used this company for an application to convert a pub into a single flat.
After paying the initial research fee I was told the application had the highest possible chance of success with no reason for it to be refused.
First red flag was the application was submitted without a biodiversity form. I was only informed about this after chasing for an update.
We were then asked to provide marketing information with no guidance on how to do this. After contacting Michael the consultant he then suggested using a company which would have cost an additional £1000. At no point was it stressed that we would get refused if we didn’t get this report done properly and despite me emailing asking if the document I provided was good enough the application was submitted and subsequently refused.
After raising a complaint to grant the owner they tried to blame the refusal on the fact we didn’t obtain the report suggested.
After speaking to another consultant they have confirmed the report would have been useless.
This company just use this as an excuse for the poor planning advice given and taken no responsibility what so ever for the refusal.
Also be aware that they have in the T and C that the planning drawings and statement are their intellectual property a point grant took great satisfaction in reiterating over and over again.
My advice to anyone thinking of using this company is don’t.
13 August 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your review however the refusal is solely your fault.
You told us the pub had been abandoned, vacant and unused for 10 years however, when the council asked for evidence you were unable to provide any at all.
The council also requested some additional specialist reports which are above the normal validation requirements as is their right to do so.
Your town planner gave you the details for a 3rd party specialist who could do this for you and you were free to source them from anywhere but you decided to DIY. Ultimately your DIY word document was insufficient.
So, due to a lack of evidence and your decision to ignore our advice to purchase the required specialist reports your application was refused.
We understand you are frustrated and we also appreciate you are probably more frustrated with your choice to disregard our advice and cut corners to try and save costs. A false economy in the end and frustrating for all parties concerned but it was your choice to make.
We are here to advise in our client's best interest, which we always do but we can't make you listen or take our advice!
You are correct, given your appetite for DIY'ing things and your attitude in your emails we felt it pertinent to remind you of the copyright clauses in your signed terms to avoid legal action and further costs should you decide to use our intellectual property illegally without our consent.
Straight forward service
Straight forward service, for a subject I knew nothing about. Helped me to make a decision about a home project. Cheaper than applying for planning permission with the council, quick and easy process. Not favourable results, but better to know than pursue a losing battle.
6 August 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Andrew, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. It's always disappointing for all when a project isn't feasible but as you say it's definitely better to find out before paying for drawings or a planning application that is unlikely to be approved. While it wasn't the news you were hoping for we are glad you have been pleased with our service and remain ready to help if you have any further questions or need assistance with anything in the future.
Cant recommend enough.
Cant recommend enough.. had a retro planning application that got refused. Ellie did a fantastic job, you can tell she done her research on my property history and knew what she was talking about. All i had to do was send her some suitable pictures and she took care of the rest. Appeal was allowed.
I was hesitant to use at first but glad i did. Worth every penny.
7 August 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Sayeed, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. Retrospective planning applications are always more tricky with higher stakes so we're delighted that Ellie's expertise won your appeal. Of course, if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please do let us know.
Really efficient service
Really efficient service. Kim was extremely helpful and Mislav was very knowledgeable and professional. Looking forward to further work with them in the future.
16 July 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Planning By Design
Hi Josh, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. We are delighted to hear you have been pleased with our service and of course if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
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