Planning Appeal & Expert Witness Services

We have a long-established track record of delivering successful appeal outcomes for clients through advising on procedural issues, tactics and timescales, and preparing, co-ordinating and submitting evidence relevant to the conduct of an appeal. Our work also includes the procurement and management of technical evidence from other consultants, with the aim of maximising the prospects of a successful outcome.

Our experts work across our full breadth of sectors and have a detailed knowledge of relevant appeal procedures and protocols, whether an appeal is proceeding by way of written representations, a hearing, or by inquiry.

We pride ourselves on our independent, comprehensive professional advice and advise our clients at the outset on a suitable planning strategy and the merit (or not) of pursuing an appeal. This may mean that, for example, we recommend pursuing a revised application, rather than lodging an appeal, if we believe this will best meet client aspirations.

Our planning appeal and expert witness services include:

• Reviewing planning decisions and advising on appeal strategy and prospects for success
• Preparation of appeal statements
• Managing professional teams, including the co-ordination of appeal evidence
• Preparation of proofs of evidence
• Providing expert witness evidence at inquiries
• Liaison with and instruction of Counsel
• Preparing Statements of Common Ground and associated negotiation with LPAs
• Advising on appeal costs matters and preparing applications for an award of costs
• Acting on behalf of LPAs

Development Plan Representations

At Alder King, we believe site promotion is critical to identifying land for future development. Our planning team specialise in making development plan representations on planning policy documents in order to promote land for development through the development plan led system. Working for a range of clients, in particular the residential sector, we are able to assist you in unlocking the value of your land.

Our role can include ensuring draft planning policies are clearly legible and pass the test of soundness, or we can promote your land alongside the aspirations of your organisation and influence the policies in any emerging plans.

Day to day, we monitor the status of key planning documents so we can identify opportunities to make representations at the optimum time, which is considered essential in those instances where longer-term strategic proposals may conflict with current policy.

We can make representations on a number of documents including; Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans, Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments (SHLAAs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) and can represent you at a development plan examination.

Working with our Strategic Development Land and Residential Development colleagues, we provide a seamless service from development plan promotion to the submission of a planning application and securing planning consent.