Planning By Design Reviews

John BASKIN 2025.12.10

     

Planning By Design (PBD) were able to help me decide whether or not to proceed with a planning application to convert my existing office space into a residential flat. Rather than pay a surveyor £2000 plus vat, which he had quoted for a pre-application advice meeting with the local authority, I was able to pay only a mere £120 to PBD to find out that my application was highly unlikely to be successful ! I thoroughly recommend them.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.11

Hi John, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

While its always disappointing for all when a project has low/no feasibility as you say at least you were able to make an informed decsion to save a lot of time, money and stress.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Paul Alexander 2025.12.09

     

Planning By Design have been a joy to work with, and they have helped me to get a retrospective planning application over the line with no hassle. The team were professional, responsive and knowledgeable, and I wouldn't think twice about using them again if needs be.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.09

Hi Paul, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and it's always nice to hear we have succeeded.

We are delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process, especially given it was retrospective.

Of course, if you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else in the future, please don't hesitate to let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Nat Smith 2025.12.04

recommends

Great service from start to finish, excellent attention to detail and communication during our planning application for our balcony awning.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.05

Thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

F Campbell 2025.12.04

     

Great service from start to finish, excellent attention to detail and communication.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.05

Thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Ryan Waite 2025.12.03

recommends

Exceptional service and a truly valuable partner. From the initial consultation to final delivery, the team demonstrated outstanding customer commitment. Our Project Manager was instrumental in navigating a demanding schedule, offering comprehensive support to gather all necessary materials for our planning submission. This level of efficiency resulted in the successful completion of the project significantly ahead of the predicted timeframe.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.03

Hi Ryan, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth and speedier than expected process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Ryan Waite 2025.12.03

     

Exceptional service and a truly valuable partner. From the initial consultation to final delivery, the team demonstrated outstanding customer commitment. Our Project Manager was instrumental in navigating a demanding schedule, offering comprehensive support to gather all necessary materials for our planning submission. This level of efficiency resulted in the successful completion of the project significantly ahead of the predicted timeframe.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.03

Hi Ryan, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth and speedier than expected process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Aftab Ali 2025.12.03

     

Excellent from start to finish. Very professional

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Reply from Planning By Design 2024.07.11

Hi Aftab, thank you very much for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience, it really means a lot to us. Of course, if you have any further questions or need help with anything in the future please do let us know and we'll be glad to help.

Tim S 2025.12.02

     

We used Planning By Design to plan an extension (permitted development) to a domestic dwelling. I WOULD NOT RECCOMMEND THIS COMPANY They do not make in person visits as default and expect you to make all your own measurements. These should be done by a professional with the proper (laser) equipment - no matter how good you think you are this should be done by the person drawing the plans for accuracy and accountability. They do not take account of building regs or drainage/foundation requirements in their initial planning stages, even though these can have a fundamental impact on the overall design. They offer paid incentives for positive reviews (£20 amazon vouchers), when we questioned this policy they decided to "review our account" and tried to charge us an extra £200 for "design changes" - all of which were actually their errors. In our case, we got our permitted development permission, but we are having to go through everything again with a local designer, and consider more accurate measurements, details that were missed, and things like utility requirements. If we had just gone with a local architect/planner in the first place we could have got more accurate plans, and considered all the complicating factors as we decided what we wanted. Even if it costs more it is better to go with a local professional who knows the area and will visit the site as default. They can ensure their plans are accurate and talk you through any potential complications. I feel like I wasted my money and time by going with planning by design, yes I got the permissions required, but nothing was looked at properly or in detail by professionals. I have learnt from my expensive mistake, make sure you don't make the same mistake!

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.10.27

Hi Tim, thanks for taking the time to share detailed feedback. We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval for your project.

For clarity on how our service works: your quote set out a remote survey with full planning-stage drawings (existing/proposed plans, elevations, site/block plans) plus a planning statement, application preparation, submission and management.

A site visit wasn't required or included as standard, but could have been arranged for an additional fee had you requested this.

We only submit once a client has seen and approved the drawings and statement(s). In your case, designs were prepared promptly, then approved, and the application was lodged and later granted.

On “conflicting guidance”: planning is a legal process, and different LPAs can interpret elements of policy or PD criteria differently, especially where site specifics (levels, drainage runs, measurements) are still being confirmed. Where councils delay or re-assign officers mid-stream, we follow up to keep things moving, as we did for you.

On building regulations: planning/LDC and building control are separate regimes. Our quote and terms explain that building regulations drawings/calculations and any third-party specialist inputs are outside the planning-stage scope and quoted separately if you wish to proceed to that stage.

We genuinely appreciate your feedback, and of course, if you would like help with anything further such as building regulations please do let us know and we'll be happy to help.

Daniel Sangermano 2025.12.01

recommends

Great service from beginning to end. It's not difficult to reply to queries within a reasonable amount, but a lot of companies fail at this, but not Planning by Design.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.02

Hi Daniel, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Daniel Sangermano 2025.12.01

     

Great service from beginning to end. It's not difficult to reply to queries within a reasonable amount, but a lot of companies fail at this, but not Planning by Design.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.02

Hi Daniel, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Winnie Clarke Formson 2025.12.01

     

After receiving a refusal on my planning application, I felt completely overwhelmed. Planning by Design stepped in and made the whole appeal process so much less stressful. They were patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive from start to finish. I’m very grateful for their help and would highly recommend them to others.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.12.02

Hi Winnie, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval by appeal following a smooth process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Lesley Dunn 2025.11.30

     

ALWAYS USE A LOCAL COMPANY Planning by design knows just what to say to reassure you they can do the job. They are good sales people. Unfortunately they did not do their due diligence on our application as in the Somerset Levels there are initial criteria mandatory reports (percolation tests, Ramsar reports plus others ) to be submitted for any application which are not negotiable. They failed to advise us of this therefore planning was refused. I accept that it was refused also for other reports which we would not have foreseen being needed but had we know about the mandatory ones we would have submitted them on first application. Our error was not using a local planner and not this outfit. When I contacted them they were quite rude and would not accept any responsibility for any lack of crucial information. I expect an unpleasant response to this review from the MD Grant Ward.

Date of experience: 04 November, 2025

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Cynthia David 2025.11.27

recommends

Planning by design is a very good company to work with. The team are very helpful, supportive, informative and quick to respond to questions. Provide clarity, open and transparent with the project.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.28

Hi Cynthia, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Ramez Pasbakhsh 2025.11.27

     

I used Planning by Design for an HMO application and I'm chuffed to bits with the service. Their advice was spot on from the start, which made my HMO planning straightforward. The team was professional, communicative, and incredibly helpful, taking the stress out of the entire process.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.28

Hi Ramez, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Sun of a Beach 2025.11.27

     

Using Planning By Design to aid with planning application, they have been professional, detail orientated and maintained great commmunication and transparancy througthout.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.28

Thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

cynthia Oluwatimileyin 2025.11.27

     

Planning by design is a very great company. The team are very helpful, supportive, informative and quick to respond to questions. They are very open and honest, no hidden agenda.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.28

Hi Cynthia, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Keith Andrews 2025.11.24

     

Preplanning assessment was excellent- the advise was clear, meaning we know there is a good likelihood of ourcscheme getting planning permission. Quote was also clear and detailed.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.25

Hi Keith, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Sue Livermore 2025.11.24

     

We had an excellent experience with Planning By Design. Their service was fast, efficient and professional. Their advice was honest and explained thoroughly to us, we were encouraged to ask questions so didn’t feel rushed, and this was also followed up with a full feasibility report. Would definitely use their services in the future, great value.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.25

Hi Sue, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing a review of your experience.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Gautam Paul 2025.11.21

recommends

I had an excellent experience working with Planning by Design for a conversion of existing garage and erection of a first floor extension above the garage for a room. Their professionalism and attention to detail were evident throughout the process, and the architectural drawings were prepared to an exceptionally high standard and ultimately approved without issue. A special mention must go to Josh, who showed remarkable patience and persistence in working with the council. He handled the back-and-forth with determination, never giving up until the approvals were secured. Alongside him, Paulina, the architect, worked tirelessly and closely with Josh to refine the drawings and ensure every detail was right. Their collaboration was outstanding and led to a brilliant outcome. This combination of technical excellence and genuine commitment made the whole journey smooth and reassuring. I would highly recommend Planning by Design to anyone seeking reliable, high-quality architectural services backed by a brilliant team that truly cares about delivering results. Thank you to the team, once again.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.24

Hi Gautam, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

Gautam Paul 2025.11.21

     

I had an excellent experience working with Planning by Design for a conversion of existing garage and erection of a first floor extension above the garage for a room. Their professionalism and attention to detail were evident throughout the process, and the architectural drawings were prepared to an exceptionally high standard and ultimately approved without issue. A special mention must go to Josh, who showed remarkable patience and persistence in working with the council. He handled the back-and-forth with determination, never giving up until the approvals were secured. Alongside him, Paulina, the architect, worked tirelessly and closely with Josh to refine the drawings and ensure every detail was right. Their collaboration was outstanding and led to a brilliant outcome. This combination of technical excellence and genuine commitment made the whole journey smooth and reassuring. I would highly recommend Planning by Design to anyone seeking reliable, high-quality architectural services backed by a brilliant team that truly cares about delivering results. Thank you to the team, once again.

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Reply from Planning By Design 2025.11.24

Hi Gautam, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.

It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.

We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth process.

If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.