Our commercial solicitors are able to offer legal advice over a wide range of corporate and commercial areas and issues. From our network of offices across Essex and London we are able to help organisations of all sizes and industries; while always making sure we put the client first.
Planning Consultancy
We offer a comprehensive planning consultancy service alongside our other commercial real estate legal services. Whether it is site appraisals, application enquiries, applications, representation at meetings, or planning enforcement matters, we are able to help.
Our Planning and Enforcement Manager Sharon Smith has over 25 years of experience and expertise. Sharon also has considerable knowledge of working for commercial developers, businesses, local authority clients, architects, surveyors, as well as action or resident groups.
Specialisms
- Development site appraisals.
- Local plan representation as well as site promotion.
- Pre-application enquiries.
- Attendance at parish & town council meetings and also planning committees.
- Preparation and submission of planning applications: including listed buildings, changes of use as well as prior notification applications.
- Planning conditions, legal agreements, and community infrastructure levy (CIL).
- Preparation and also submission of all types of planning appeals: including representation at planning hearings or even at inquiries.
- Planning enforcement matters: including liaising with the relevant local authority and preparing and submitting enforcement appeals, with representation at hearings or inquiries.
- Preparation and submitting of lawful development applications (proposed and existing development or uses): including preparation of statutory declarations.
- Expert witness statements.
If you think we could help with any planning issue or query you have, or even if you would like more information on any of our planning services – please get in touch with our team today on 01206 835236 or email [email protected].
If you would like more information on all our other commercial property services, please click here.
Free 15-minute appointment
Our Planning and Enforcement Manager, Sharon offers a free 15-minute initial consultation to help you scope your project and discuss how FJG’s planning consultancy could help you. These appointments are virtual; they can be booked as a telephone call, or video call using one of the following platforms – FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Zoom. To book an initial planning consultation – call 01206 835236 or email [email protected].
“The idea for Sir Issacs Artisan Coffee Ltd came about prior to the Covid-19 lockdown. Having run a market stall in Colchester I became aware that 43 Sir Isaacs Walk could soon be available, my thoughts then turned to moving up to open Sir Isaacs Artisan Coffee Ltd to build on what I had managed to achieve on the market. The process of bringing my vision to life began. My plan for the building was to change the business use from A1 to A3 and change the fixed front entrance window (there is a small recess to the front door) to make a serving hatch. I initially started to Google and research what was needed.
I ended up at FJG Solicitors website, I then telephoned and after a good telephone conversation booked a meeting with Sharon Smith.”
Download full case study“Following the sale of my company in 2016, I needed a project to keep me busy, after a break of around two years, we stumbled across an unloved property just outside Colchester
on the Essex way. The project was to purchase the Shoulder of Mutton in Fordham,
Colchester and then convert it from a public house to a Vintage Tea Room with Antiques
Centre. The building is listed and was in a poor state of repair with flooded cellar, leaking roof and overgrown. This was a project we had never undertaken before and had no experience in, so we needed to seek expert help...”
“Sharon Smith and her team have supported us over the past two years since we purchased 20 acres of agricultural land in Suffolk, and have sought to diversify the land for community benefit and commercial advantage. The land was not viable for agricultural purposes, but we also did not wish to pursue residential development, which has been attempted by others before.
With Sharon’s assistance, we successfully achieved change of use for the existing agricultural barn for commercial storage, plus planning permission for two new large storage barns for commercial storage. We then achieved planning for multiple stables and paddocks for private rented equestrian use. We regard FJG’s Planning Consultancy and Sharon Smith as our ‘go-to’ and trusted advisor for our Planning needs.”
