Examples of LPAs undertaking planning consultancy work

Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

Open group | Started - July 2012 | Last activity - Yesterday

Iain Armstrong, modified 7 Years ago.

Examples of LPAs undertaking planning consultancy work

New Member Posts: 7 Join Date: 09/08/16 Recent Posts

Hi

My own authority (Gateshead Council) are looking at additional ways of generating income. One opportunity is to offer a planning consultancy role for schemes. We have

started advising internal Council departments on schemes (we have been careful to separate the role with the LPA role in determining planning applications) but are looking to role this out more widely.

I was wondering if anyone knew other examples of LPAs undertaking this role or any guidance on best practice?

Any advice gratefully received!

Regards

Iain

Former Member, modified 7 Years ago.

RE: Examples of LPAs undertaking planning consultancy work

Iain, as far as I know, London Borough of Hounslow has Lampton 360, which I believe is an internal consultancy that may undertake, among other things, planning services in which the income recieved is invested back into the Borough. What you are doing sounds interesting and I hope it goes well, as I think it is worth paying for really good planning advice. Hope it helps.

Iain Armstrong, modified 7 Years ago.

RE: Examples of LPAs undertaking planning consultancy work

New Member Posts: 7 Join Date: 09/08/16 Recent Posts

Many thanks Eoin, I will take a look at Hounslow. It is something we are really interested in doing and potentially quite exciting.

Iain

Daniel Hudson, modified 7 Years ago.

RE: Examples of LPAs undertaking planning consultancy work

Advocate Posts: 121 Join Date: 25/04/12 Recent Posts

We do this in a small way.

We have a Conservation Officer and some of our neighbouring authorities don't. He spends one day a week on work for other Districts for which we charge primarily on planning applications but also assisting with a THI project. It brings in around £10,000 per annum.

This has been in operation for five years but we are considering ending it because of the impact on our own work priorities.