Whatever your planning project, Hepburns has the solution

Land with potential?

Have you ever wondered if your land or buildings might have potential to be used more effectively? Do you really know what your assets could be worth? Are you wondering about making an investment by developing some property, but can’t decide on the true value of it? With our honest and independent advice, backed with many years of experience, we can give you a quick opinion or a detailed proposal to show what could be done –and give you an idea of the time and expense involved. Back to top...

Hepburns has experience of working directly with English Nature and the Environment Agency to steer projects through the complex process that can surround applications which fall within statutory frameworks such as EIA or the Habitat Regulations. For example, our experience of strategic coastal defence management planning, and flood risk assessments, gives us an in-depth understanding of the issues. Back to top...

Extensions and householder applications?

Did you know that many householders can build a small extension without the need to make a planning application? Whether it’s a garage or a granny annexe, if you’re thinking of some works to your house or garden which might need planning consent, ask us first - you could save a lot of worry! If you do need consent, many domestic applications can be handled very quickly and easily. Let us do the work for you, and take the worry out of planning your project. Back to top...

Enforcement?

Whether you’ve been served an Enforcement Notice yourself, or you think somebody might have breached their planning permission and want advice on what to do, we can help you. Our experience and independent professional advice can defuse a tricky situation, or show you how to minimise expensive and time-consuming enforcement action. If you want an honest and confidential appraisal of your situation, ask us first. Back to top...

If you’ve been turned down for planning consent, some independent advice from a planner can make a big difference to your proposals. Do you really know what the refusal notice means? Are you considering the right approach? Is an appeal the answer? Do you really need the expense of starting again? Before you go back to the drawing board, let us give you our views too. Back to top...

If you’ve got protected trees on your land and you want to do work on them, or if you want to develop a site with trees on it and you are not sure what will be permissible, you might be pleasantly surprised at what can be achieved by good planning. A good landscaping scheme and protected trees sympathetically integrated into a project not only improve its chances of approval, but improve the amenity and value of the scheme to the end users. We can provide expert opinion and help, to show you the options before you commit yourself to expensive works. Back to top...

Thinking of a new project on the Isle of Wight or further afield? Or have you already got land that needs redevelopment? Can the government’s policies on brownfield land help your business? Your industrial land could provide the investment you need to really move forward. Hepburns direct experience of recent major planning applications on the Island can benefit your project. Back to top...

Rural land faces the same pressures as any other, but with good advice, the landowner can use the planning system to create a successful and sustainable project. Hepburns understands the rural economy and in particular the Island and its unique situation – ask us about farm diversification, tourism, change of use, rural housing, whole farm plans and nature conservation issues. Back to top...

Site of Special Scientific Interest, Area of Outstanding Beauty, or listed building? Over 70% of the Island, where Hepburns is based, has some sort of designation. There are many designations and restrictions which can apply to your project, but you might be surprised at how easy it can be to work with these conservation issues and still make a successful project. You can use our professional experience to ease your dealings with statutory government agencies, and getting licences and permissions. Back to top...

Sustainability is an important theme throughout all our work. Energy and transport proposals in particular can arouse strong opposition. But when dealing with a planning application it's time to put the emotions to one side and look at the facts. Hepburns knows how to make the best planning case, and deal sensitively with the complex and controversial issues that can sometimes surround this type of scheme. Back to top...

Commercial reality means that an acceptable profit must be made to allow a scheme to be taken forward - and the Section 106 Agreement is the legal way in which a portion of this profit can go into works to benefit the community. But how much is reasonable to expect - and what is acceptable? Hepburns has direct experience of this complex aspect of planning, including preparing Supplementary Planning Guidance for local authorities. Back to top...