DEVON | CORNWALL | SOUTH WEST
My name is Graham Clark. I am a Chartered Town Planner with well over 30 years’ experience of working in planning and development, at a senior managerial level, in both the private sector and public sector across Devon and Cornwall. GRC Planning provides specialist planning and development advice to developers and house builders, as well as personalised advice for private individuals and householders. I specialise in getting planning problems solved large or small. Since Covid the pressures on Planning Departments have increased in the face of the reduction in staff resources and the ability to provide a service that existed pre-Covid. It has meant that achieving a planning permission has become more difficult. Even, getting an application validated and registered has become more difficult as the requirements to be met become more extensive and challenging particularly in light of the emerging Climate Change agenda. I specialise in helping applicants through what can be a labyrinthine and daunting prospect of making a planning application but more importantly ensuring they have the best chance of success. |
Why choose me?GRAHAM CLARK BA(Hons) DMS MRTPI | Director GRC Planning Ltd
I believe in providing clear no-nonsense, meaningful advice and recommendations. I identify opportunities, as well as planning risk, as part of a comprehensive analysis of all the options for a proposal. I often end up saving clients’ money as well as achieving enhanced values for their land or buildings. I work with a number of architects, architectural technicians, surveyors, drainage engineers, ecologists and tree specialists who I would recommend, as part of a ‘one stop shop’ team not only to get an application submitted but more importantly ensure it has the best chance of approval. |
How I can help you
For a FREE INITIAL ONE HOUR NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION please contact me to see how I can help you. |
HOUSESWith 18 years as a Planning Director of a Regional Housebuilder I know what it takes to get a planning permission for houses. In those 18 years I never had a planning application for houses refuse. With the Climate Change Emergency permissions for new houses are even more difficult to achieve. I will give you an honest opinion of your chances, based on my years of experience. It means I will not take on a case if I do not think you have a reasonable chance of success.
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SPECIAL PROJECTSIn my time as Head of Development Control and Head of Major Projects at Plymouth City Council I was used to dealing with the complexity and delivery of large projects As a result, I like the challenge of interesting projects that depart from the norm. If I genuinely feel I can assist in achieving a planning permission I will give an honest opinion. It means I often turn projects away. I often say I usually save client’s money rather than spend it.
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CLASS Q CONVERSIONSResidential barn conversions and particularly Class Q conversions of an agricultural building are challenging to achieve. The requirement to preserve and enhance or ensure compliance with the Class Q requirements for prior approval needs skilful handling to achieve success. I will ensure that a client has the best chances of a success.
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ENFORCEMENTAnyone who gets enmeshed in the complexities of the planning system can come up against the council, following a complaint, insisting what you thought did not require planning permission, actual does. It can be daunting and worry when faced with what appear threatening correspondence from the Council. My knowledge and experience will give you the best chance of resolving the threat of enforcement action from the Council resulting in achieving the requisite planning permission.
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CONSERVATION AREASI normally advise clients never to buy a site in a Conservation Area or a Listed Building. To achieve a planning permission or Listed Building Consent requires knowledge of all the issues as the bar to achieve a consent is set very high. I will only take on a case if there is a reasonable chance of success with all the constraints that a Conservation Area and Listed Building impose.
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NATIONAL PARKSTo achieve a planning permission in the Dartmoor National Park requires the need to demonstrate that any proposal will preserve and enhance the character of the National Park. It is a high bar that requires careful presentation of an application to achieve success.
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APPEALSAt the moment, only one in four appeals are successful. I prefer not to undertake appeals but rather I would seek to secure a planning permission by resubmission. It is quicker and more often than not will achieve a successful outcome. I will, though take on an appeal case if I believe it has that one in four chances of success.
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LOCAL PLANSMost Local Plans in the south-west are up to date but many towns and villages are now preparing their own Neighbourhood Plan. When adopted this Plan takes precedence over a Local Plan in the determination of applications. It is, therefore, imperative that if you have a parcel of land with potential for planning permission representations are made on your behalf to ensure that the land is included in the Neighbourhood Plan.
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Planning Appraisals
Development feasibility, strategy, tactics and processes. Content of development proposals and identification of application and obligation requirements.
Planning ApplicationsPreparation and submission of planning applications and project co-ordination.
Planning AppealsSubmission and management of planning appeals and appear as an expert witness at Public Inquiries.
Class Q conversionsRequired when converting an agricultural building to a new dwelling without the need for planning permission subject to certain restrictions.
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Householder ExtensionsHouseholder extensions – a streamlined process from concept to build. Sometimes you do not need planning permission.
Land Promotion / RepresentationsPromotion of development sites through the local and neighbourhood plan making process.
Rural Exception SitesIf you are the owner of land adjoining, but outside, the built-up area of a village then residential development may still be possible under the Government’s Rural Exception Site policy.
Certificate of LawfulnessA Certificate of Lawfulness is essentially a means of obtaining a decision from the planning authority that a proposed use or works do not require planning permission.
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