Policy representation and public inquiries
Influencing planning policy is key element in maximising assets of property owners. Policies and proposals contained within development plans are particularly important as these help to shape planning decisions made by both local planning authorities and Planning Inspectors at appeal. The recent changes to the development plan system have also added a further level of complexity and it is important to be conversant with the process.
Knight Frank regularly makes well researched and justified representations on behalf of clients to the full range of public planning policy consultations - Government consultations on national planning policy, regional level consultation on Regional Spatial Strategies and local level consultation on Local Development Framework documents.
In many cases it is neccessary to follow up written representations made to a consultation by subsequently appearing as an expert witness at an Examination-In-Public (previously termed public inquiries) to put forward a particular case on behalf of clients. Staff within the Knight Frank Planning & Development Team have extensive experience of appearing on behalf of clients as expert witnesses, often in conjunction with other professional consultants including legal representation.
In the context of individual proposals, particularly large scale schemes a public inquiry may be held to determine an appeal or following a call-in by the Secretary of State. Staff within the Knight Frank Planning & Development team have extensive experience acting as expert witnesses in providing detailed and quality evidence to present the client's point of view again often in conjunction with other professional consultants including legal representation.
Recent example of our work