Tel: 01392 253820 E-mail: enquiries@exeter-planning.co.uk
Based in Devon giving nationwide service
Let me guide you through the Planning maze
At Exeter Planning, my purpose is to offer expert legal advice on Town and Country Planning, at affordable fees. Initial advice is free, so what have you got to loose?
Use this website to find out more about the firm and my areas of specialisation. The links to other parts of the website are in the bar to the left of the screen. Just move the cursor over and click.
Find out how I can help you.
Your form message has been successfully sent.
Why should I seek professional advice?
The Town and Country Planning system is complex and bureaucratic, and if you get it wrong it can have significant financial implications. For example you may have to demolish works you have just paid good money to have built, or you may have to cease using land or buildings for certain purposes.
Equally, getting the right result out of the Planning system can significantly enhance the value of your property, and give prospective future purchasers confidence that everything is in order.
Either way, getting independent, specialist advice from a consultant at the outset will pay dividends. It's a lot easier (and usually cheaper) to get it right from the beginning rather than trying to put mistakes right later!
Why don't I just ask the Council?
Several reasons.
First, any opinion expressed by a Council officer will be their own informal view and will not be binding on the Council. If you are told, for example, you do not need planning permission for a particular project, and the Council subsequently take the view that you do, it is no answer for you to say "but the Planning Officer said I didn't need to apply". If you take independent advice your consultant should be covered by insurance, although its always worth checking with them.
Secondly, as Council officers are constantly under pressure of work the amount of time they can give to you will be very limited. They will almost certainly not be able to go into great detail and consider all the possible implications. It is highly unlikely that they will be able to consider any legal issues with the Council's solicitor.
Finally, it is not the function of Council officers to suggest alternative ways of approaching your proposal. An independent consultant may be able to turn a "no" into a "yes".
OK, so I should seek independent professional advice, but why from Exeter Planning?
Exeter Planning is a Planning Law consultancy. It is operated by Paul Barkley who spent 14 years as a solicitor working with Local Planning Authorities.
As an experienced Planning solicitor I offer a forensic, legal approach to particular problems of Planning Law which tend to fall outside the professonal sphere of many other planning consultants who are not lawyers.
Most Planning lawyers work in large, commercial law firms whose charging rates are prohibitive to individuals and small business. I aim to provide a service to those who can not afford to pay the fees charged by larger firms. As a home based business my overheads are low, and these savings are passed on to clients.
Although (as the name suggests) the firm is based in Exeter, Devon I am happy to accept instructions throughout England and Wales. In fact, most of my work is done electronically (although I am, of course, happy to travel to meet face-to-face).
To find out more about the firm please click on the link below.
About me
My name is Paul Barkley and I am the Director of Exeter Planning. To read more about my background please click on the link below.
What I offer
I specialise in offering advice and representation in matters of Town and Country Planning Law at affordable fees.
In particular I advise on whether an application for planning permission is required, and if so I can prepare and present such an application. In the event of an application being refused I advise and represent clients at appeal. I also have particular experience in Lawful Development Certificate applications, the removal of conditions attached to planning permissions, and Enforcement. I also advise those seeking to object effectively to development proposals. For more details about these and other areas of work please click the link below
Print
Recommend this page 