Services — Taylor Drake

Planning and project delivery advice
from first appraisal to final delivery.

At Taylor Drake, planning with nature isn't a separate service, it's built into everything we do. From the earliest appraisal of a site through to delivery on the ground, we consider how nature-based solutions can add value and reduce cost, making projects more viable and more resilient. Whether you're promoting a single building, a major mixed-use scheme, or a landscape recovery project, we have the experience to help.

Below is an overview of our core service areas, each of which reflects the full range of what we can offer. Most projects draw on more than one of these service areas and the boundaries between them are often fluid. If you're not sure where to start, just get in touch. We'll ask the right questions and help you work out what you need.

Client advisory

We provide advice to help clients understand the opportunities and constraints of their sites and the best route through the planning system - with early biodiversity thinking built in.

Site appraisals and planning due diligence
Planning strategy and policy advice
Convening and coordinating a multi-disciplinary project team
Developing the design brief and managing site analysis outputs
Early-stage Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality options analysis
Advice on planning application requirements for validation

Pre-application stage

The pre-app stage shapes a project's prospects. We manage engagement with the local planning authority, coordinate consultants, and integrate habitat and landscape thinking into design from the outset.

Managing the pre-application process with the local planning authority
Identifying stakeholders and developing the engagement strategy
Coordinating architects, ecologists, engineers and other consultants
Design development support and review
Integrating biodiversity and landscape strategy into scheme design

Planning applications

We manage the application process end to end, preparing documents, coordinating technical reports, and steering the project through to a decision.

Preparation of all necessary planning documentation for the application
Reviewing and coordinating all supporting environmental and technical documents
Managing and coordinating instructions to Counsel for legal review
Coordinating BNG Assessments and advising on BNG solutions
Nutrient Neutrality strategy and supporting evidence
Collation and submission of the planning application
Managing the relationship with the LPA throughout determination
Monitoring representations and preparing responses as required
Coordinating and negotiating Section 106 requirements
Coordinating the project team through to decision

Other planning services

We support clients through discharge of conditions, scheme amendments, appeals, and specialist applications including off-site BNG coordination.

Managing discharge of planning conditions
Section 73 amendment applications
Section 96A non-material amendment applications
Lawful Development Certificate applications
Listed Building Consent applications
Planning appeals by written representations, hearings and inquiry
Local Plan representations and examination
Sourcing, appraising and securing off-site BNG units
Coordination of Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans and monitoring frameworks

Wider services

For clients who need more than planning advice, we provide project management support across and beyond the planning process. Particularly valuable on large-scale projects including the delivery of nature and landscape recovery schemes, where planning permission may not be required at all.