Your London Home Renovation: Pre-Planning Application Session
We have worked on enough London home renovations to know how important it is to get the planning application right. As part of our commitment to this, we have built a unique stage in our pre-construction support phase, where we host a ‘pre-planning application’ session. We’re about to outline what this includes, why it matters, and why your project shouldn’t go ahead without these types of considerations.
What is the purpose of the pre-planning meeting?
Similarly to our home design consultation, this meeting is a collaborative process, and it will help us to establish exactly what we will need to include in the planning application that we submit on behalf of our clients.
Who is involved?
Our pre-planning application meeting involves our clients meeting with our project manager, design director, and the full design team.
The pre-application process explained
At this stage, we’re not just thinking about what your project could be – we’re also assessing all of the practicalities and most importantly, legalities of the initial vision that we have created. During the session, we carry out an in-depth assessment of various factors all relating to the project; reviewing them all with planning permission guidelines in mind. Our number one priority is to submit a concept design for approval that meets your expectations, and is legally and structurally sound. Together, we work through some of the following:
- Review the site, context, and constraints
- Discuss the planning history and relevant policies
- Identify early risks or red flags
- Explore initial ideas and opportunities
- Define key priorities and performance criteria
- Agree on a design direction that aligns with your goals
The value of our expertise at this stage
You’ll hear from our design team, but also from the wider network of professionals that might be involved. Depending on the complexity of the project, we’ll bring in specialist consultants early – this might be structural engineers, MEP experts, or planning consultants, helping to make sure we’re working with a complete picture. Their input is critical in avoiding any unwanted surprises down the line. This early integration of specialist knowledge helps us design with confidence – not just for aesthetics or function, but for compliance, performance, and longevity. The aim is to anticipate what the planners will want to see, what they might push back on, and how to present the strongest possible case.
Following the pre-planning meeting: progressing your design plan
After the pre-planning session, the real work begins, and our team refines the concept based on everything we’ve discussed. Sketches are developed into working drawings, diagrams become plans, and tweaks are made where necessary – with everything being underpinned in adherence with planning permission.
We will then share these updated drawings with you for review. This is a two-way conversation: we want your thoughts, your questions, and any concerns that you might have. It’s an open and honest design process, where feedback is welcomed and nothing is set in stone too early.
Ongoing collaboration pre and post application submission
The pre-planning application meeting is the starting point in getting our project plans approved, but our support continues beyond this point. We utilise regular check-ins, shared updates, and clear documentation to help everyone stay aligned.
Internally, our team is constantly refining the design based on your feedback and consultant input. Externally, we’re often engaging with local authorities, case officers, or planning consultants to test ideas and get early signals.
Once your planning application has been submitted by your dedicated project manager, you’ll be kept informed at all possible points. While internal review times for planning applications can vary, we aim to be transparent and upfront with our clients – and when we can update you on your application, we will do so.
The benefits of our pre-planning application session
Planning can be complex, but this doesn’t need to create confusion. When it’s done well, the planning process becomes an opportunity for our team to sharpen your design, articulate your vision, and build trust.
The goal is simple: to submit a planning application that is robust, well-coordinated, and positioned for success. That means a proposal that is visually compelling, technically accurate, and backed up by the right reports and evidence. We want the application to land smoothly, tell a clear story, and stand up to scrutiny from planning authorities. The groundwork we lay in this initial phase is what makes that possible.
Planning applications are made smoother with our experienced team of professionals
Planning is the first real milestone on your project journey, and we take it seriously. With the right people around the table and a clear process in place, we make sure your application has been prepared with approval in mind. To get started, contact us and tell us more about your project in London.
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