Values personal service ingenuity collaboration persistence
ABOUT US
About us
From Lands End to John o’Groats, our planning specialists have spent decades successfully facilitating bold ventures across the length and breadth of the country. Working with major operators in the leisure, tourism and residential sectors, we draw on our unparalleled knowledge of UK planning law, precedents and authorities to help stakeholders secure the permissions they need.
From site-sourcing and appraisal, through to approval and certification, we offer a meticulous end-to-end consultancy service, navigating the exacting regulatory landscape with aplomb. And where complex challenges require unorthodox solutions, we dig in with some good, old-fashioned detective work, taking a forensic approach that leaves no stone unturned.
Liaising and negotiating with third party stakeholders and experts, including architects, environmental specialists, local councils and the general public, our process is one of politics, pragmatism and ingenuity.
From theme parks and visitor attractions, to holiday and caravan sites, whether rural, coastal or urban, we partner closely with each client to devise a robust strategy to deliver on their ambitions. Whether you’re looking to develop new projects, expand existing ones or increase land values for resale, we can advise you on every step of the planning process to get the green light.
News
Commended - 2024 RTPI Award for Planning Excellence, Small Planning Consultancy of the Year
We were thrilled to receive our Small Planning Consultancy Commended award at the RTPI South East region’s recent RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2024 event. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our entire team. We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and are looking forward to our continued success in delivering outstanding results for all of our clients across the tourism, leisure and residential sectors we support.
The judges were impressed by the systematic and pro-active approach we have demonstrated to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and our expertise on leisure and tourism planning challenges and solutions which they noted are often complex and in environmentally or politically sensitive locations.
We would like to sincerely thank the RTPI and the judges for this recognition along with offering our congratulations to the winners and commended organisations and individuals in all of this year’s categories. We are proud to be included in this outstanding group of planning professionals.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us during our first 3 years in operation and we are excited for the next challenges and opportunities ahead.
Laister Planning is proud to be a member of industry recognised professional organisations including: The Royal Town Planning Institute, The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, National Farm Attractions Network, and the British Holiday and Home Park Association.
Partners in Planning: Charismatic Tenacious Assured Astute
Charismatic
We’re a small team of big characters, with confidence born of experience and a shared enthusiasm for the work we do. Professional but not stuffy, capable but not corporate, we bring good-humour and energy to all our interactions.
Tenacious
Every day offers new challenges and demands, and we get a genuine buzz from helping our clients realise their ambitions. Sometimes that means digging into historic records and taking a meticulous, investigative approach to planning that sets us apart from the competition.
Assured
With decades of success in our niche field, our clients can trust that we have both the know-how and the networks to get the job done. Because we understand our sectors so well, we’re able to operate with deft efficiency, and identify opportunities to deliver to our clients’ greatest possible benefit.
Astute
Some projects call for a more creative approach. As self-confessed “case law nerds” we know how to employ legal precedent to our advantage, and have the savvy to seek out and formulate unexpected solutions to both routine challenges, and more unusual obstacles.
OUR SERVICES
Enabling ambition, through planning mastery
Drawing on our unparalleled knowledge of UK planning law, precedents and authorities, we help operators and stakeholders find optimum sites and secure necessary permissions for their ventures. From initial sourcing, scoping and appraisal, through to approval, we partner with each client to devise a robust strategy for delivering their development project, however complex. Liaising with third party stakeholders and experts, including architects, environmental specialists, local councils and the general public, our process is one of politics, pragmatism and ingenuity.
Application and delivery process
- Pre-application meetings
- Preparation and submission of planning applications
- Post-submission management of application process
- Discharge of planning conditions
Asset management
- Caravan Site Licence Applications
- Vary or removal of restrictive planning conditions
Assessing Opportunity
- Site identification and appraisals
- Development Strategies
- Due diligence reporting
Scheme Promotion
Throughout the Development Plan making process:
- Promotions of sites
- Written representations
- Appearances at public examinations
Lawful Development Certificates (LDCs)
- Preparation and submission of LDCs for both existing and proposed uses and buildings
- Advising and compiling evidence in support of LDC applications such as drafting statutory declarations, obtaining historic aerial imagery and other factual evidence
- In depth and up to date knowledge on planning case law
Appeals and Inquiries
- Preparing, briefing and instructing counsel
- Production of appeal documentation including Statement of Case, Rebuttals, Statement of Common Grounds and Proofs of Evidence
- Management of Appeal process and attendance at appeal
- Expert witness appearances
Enforcement
- Advising on enforcement matters
- Preparation and submission of appeals relating to Enforcement Notices
- Liaising with Local Planning Authorities and key stakeholders to resolve enforcement queries
SECTORS
Enabling ambition, through planning mastery
- Tourism & Leisure
- Residential
- Commercial
- Agricultural / Country Estates
- Strategic Land
OUR PROJECTS
Recently completed projects
Regency Court Park
(Regency Court Park Ltd) – Staverton, Cheltenham
Laister Planning successfully obtained planning permission on appeal in February 2023 to replace a touring caravan site in Cheltenham with residential park homes. Laister had previously secured a lawful development certificate confirming the touring caravans could be occupied on a permanent residential basis.
This case is significant because the site is located in the Green Belt. Laister argued that the development would not be ‘inappropriate’ in the Green Belt, so it was not necessary to demonstrate that ‘very special circumstances’ exist. The appeal Inspector agreed with Laister, stating that, if anything, there would be an improvement to openness when compared to how the site can currently be used, especially given the new central area of green space.
Piglets Adventure Farm
(Piglets Adventure Farm Ltd) – Towthorpe Grange, York
In February 2023, Laister Planning secured a lawful development certificate from City of York Council confirming the lawful use of the entire Piglets site as a ‘farm adventure park’. This high profile visitor attraction opened in July 2011 and comprises hands-on animal fun, indoor and outdoor adventure play and seasonal events. The extensive 32-acre site is situated in a rural location within the Green Belt.
Laister Planning worked in close collaboration with the client, and presented extensive evidence on the development and use of the site over the 12 years since opening. According to the certificate issued, the evidence supporting the application was “precise, sufficient and unambiguous” to prove that the land had been used for such purposes for at least 10 years.
Millets Farm Centre
(Millets Farm Centre Ltd) – Frilford, Oxfordshire
Laister were appointed by Millets Farm Centre Ltd to assist them in taking forward proposals for a farming-themed outdoor family adventure golf course with associated facilities, outdoor seating area and landscaping.
Working with specialist adventure golf course designers and a team of ecologists we put together a detailed planning application for a change of use of land with associated operational development. Our comprehensive planning statement argued that the proposals would not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts, conversely providing significant environmental benefits through enhanced opportunities for biodiversity being created through a robust landscaping scheme, while also providing significant social and economic benefits through the provision of sustainable tourism opportunities including outdoor recreational facilities, promoting a healthy lifestyle and learning opportunities for the younger generation, and attracting visitors to the area.
Particular attention to detail and ability to properly scrutinise both national and local planning policy enabled us to demonstrate that the scheme represented a sustainable form of development aligning with the relevant policy context. The level of detail provided with the application allowed for a successful conclusion with the granting of planning permission without any onerous or pre-commencement conditions being attached to the permission. The resulting development will assist in sustaining the long-term vitality and viability of this successful and established business going forward.
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
(Maximum Fun Devon Limited) – East Devon
We were pleased to secure planning consent in February 2022 for various children’s rides and attractions, and extension to buildings.
This will provide an exciting new IP-branded theme park within the main adventure/theme park at Crealy. We argued that the application site had limited landscape value itself, and the rides would be seen in the context of other nearby rides, attractions and buildings.
Moreover, any environmental harm caused would be minimal, and would be outweighed by the economic and tourism benefits; it would enable Crealy to adapt and cater for its business needs and to continue to offer a high-quality visitor experience, as supported through economic objectives contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.
We also obtained planning permission for a caravan site, to provide short-stay workers’ accommodation associated with the operation of the main theme park and adjoining holiday caravan park.
Hedley Wood Holiday Park
(Park Holidays UK Limited)
– Devon
We recently obtained planning permission from Torridge District Council to site an additional 33 holiday static caravans and associated infrastructure at this well-established holiday park in Devon, that has been recently acquired by Park Holidays.
Our application submission drew attention to the baseline position of the application site, arguing that a number of these caravan units could already be stationed within part of the site under a previous planning consent, in the absence of any planning conditions restricting the number of units.
We made the case, judged against relevant planning policies, that it would help to secure the delivery and long-term success of the wider site, associated facilities and accommodation, as well as secure related economic benefits for jobs and the local economy.
PEOPLE
People
JOBS
Join Us - We’ve got Big Plans and they could include you!
Be a part of our diverse group of talented, specialist planning consultants who are passionate about our clients’ projects and plans, transforming their businesses and delivering unique solutions within the leisure, tourism and residential sectors.
At Laister Planning, we put our people first, supported by a great suite of benefits, opportunities for growth and development and a fun, intellectually challenging and dynamic working environment.
Our values help us all build a happy, lasting company focused on delivering great planning solutions. We want you to thrive – we nurture your talent, and our perks reflect this.
- We’re always hiring – check out our opportunities
Drawing on our unparalleled knowledge of planning law, precedents and authorities, we help our clients find the necessary permissions for their exciting ventures in the Tourism & Leisure, Residential, Commercial, Agricultural, Country Estate and Strategic Land development sectors.
Check out our values to see what drives all of us at Laister Planning to do our best work. At Laister Planning, we embody these values to grow our company and put the client at the heart of everything we do:
Personal service – We strive to understand and meet our client’s needs by prioritising what’s best for their plans and providing exceptional and innovative solutions.
Collaboration – We work together to find simple solutions that are clear, easy to understand and focus on the core of the problems we’re here to solve.
Ingenuity – We take action, even when things are ambiguous. We can pivot fast when we find a better approach or a new angle.
Persistence – Undaunted by challenges, we figure out a way forward and resolve it together.
If these values resonate with you, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always on the lookout for highly motivated, curious, creative people who can deliver exceptional planning solutions.
Flexibility is one of our priorities: everyone’s days are different – we understand that. We may offer remote or hybrid working, depending on your role and location, along with a realistic work life balance. You will find our modern hub office in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds provides a great collaborative space where you’ll want to come together to share ideas, problem solve, and hang out generally with our other planners!
Time off – You’ll get 27 days’ annual leave, plus UK bank holidays. We shut between Christmas and New Year so you can take a proper break.
Wellbeing benefits – Including private health insurance, dental care, optical care and pension scheme along with life assurance and critical illness cover.
Recognition
Continuous and scheduled feedback is part of our culture. Career progression is at the pace you want it to be, fast for those with the hunger to go further, staged for those more comfortable with a steady climb.
Training – Continuous development and keeping up with regulations and legislative interpretations are part of our day-to-day development. There are plenty of training, coaching and mentoring opportunities, fully funded by Laister Planning.
Competitive salary – Our packages are continuously bench-marked, and we know that our people are worth every penny. We recognise their expertise, industry leading know-how and hard work with an above the norm salary and total reward package.
At Laister Planning, we work hard to bring together people from a wide variety of backgrounds and identities. If you’re invested in being part of a team where new ideas and different perspectives are celebrated, you’ve come to the right place.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us
Laister Planning Ltd
Ground Floor
Oddfellows Hall
London Road
Chipping Norton
Oxon, OX7 5AR
Send us a message
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