London Planning Consultant
Planning consultant in London providing expert advice on planning applications, certificates of lawfulness, prior approval, change of use and planning appeals.
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Andrew Ransome
10/2/20263 min read
London Planning Consultant
I'm Andrew Ransome MRTPI, a chartered town planner working across London and the wider South East.
I help landowners, homeowners and developers navigate London's planning system — liaising directly with planning officers, technical consultants and, where needed, the Planning Inspectorate, to get schemes through to a decision.
Planning in London — What You Need to Know
London's planning system is genuinely two-tiered, and that distinction matters for almost every application. The Mayor of London's London Plan sits above all 33 boroughs' own Local Plans, and every borough decision has to be in general conformity with it.
On top of this, some areas of London sit outside their host borough's direct planning control altogether.
The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is the planning authority for parts of Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith and Fulham.
The Oxford Street District Company became the planning authority for its defined area of Westminster from January 2026.
The planning powers that had sat with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) returned to the host boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest in December 2024.
Add the Use Classes Order, London's generally tighter approach to permitted development and Article 4 Directions, and a dense, overlapping pattern of conservation areas and heritage designations across the capital, and it becomes clear why a London application rarely turns on a single, simple policy test.
Site Appraisal
Before preparing any submission, I appraise sites against both the London Plan and the relevant borough's own Local Plan, checking Use Classes Order status, conservation area and listed building designations, Article 4 Direction coverage, and — where relevant — whether the site falls within an area covered by a Mayoral Development Corporation rather than the host borough itself.
Certificate of Lawfulness
I prepare Certificate of Lawfulness applications across London, both CLEUDs under Section 191 for existing development and CLOPUDs under Section 192 for proposed development, giving homeowners and landowners the legal certainty they need ahead of a sale, mortgage or further works.
Prior Approval
I assess and manage prior approval applications across London's boroughs, where tighter Article 4 coverage and a denser pattern of conservation areas than elsewhere make eligibility checks especially important, working through the relevant permitted development class and the additional heritage or amenity tests that can apply in a London context.
Planning Applications
I prepare and manage applications across London, from householder extensions to larger residential and commercial schemes, testing every proposal against the London Plan, the relevant borough Local Plan, and, where applicable, the policies of the London Plan.
Change of Use
I advise on change of use across London, working through the Use Classes Order and the General Permitted Development Order together to establish whether a change can proceed under permitted development or needs a full application, and building the planning case for schemes ranging from town centre retail conversions to residential change of use.
Planning Appeals
I prepare and submit appeals to the Planning Inspectorate where a London application is refused.
Since 1 April 2026, most Section 78 written representation appeals relating to applications submitted on or after that date are decided under a new, expedited Part 1 procedure. This proces only the material already before the council at application stage, with no further statement of case, new evidence, or additional public comment.
In a system with as many layers of policy as London's, that makes getting the application right, and the evidence complete, from the outset more important than ever.
Enforcement
I advise clients facing enforcement notices or investigations across London's boroughs, including matters involving listed buildings, conservation areas, and breaches of Article 4 Directions, and represent clients through the enforcement appeal process where a notice has been issued.
Local Plan Site Promotion
I advise landowners on promoting sites through the plan-making process across London, whether through a borough's own Local Plan review or the London Plan.
Planning Advice in London
I provide independent planning consultancy throughout London. Whether you are a homeowner considering an extension, a landowner investigating development potential, a developer preparing a scheme or a property owner dealing with a planning refusal, I can provide clear and practical planning advice based on the circumstances of your site.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
Planning Successes in London
Get in Touch
Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
Tel: 020 7096 8045
London Office:
60 Tottenham Court Road
Fitzrovia
London
W1T 2EW
© 2026 Andrew Ransome Town Planning Ltd. All rights reserved.
Content on this website is provided for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute formal planning, professional, or legal advice. Planning policies, legislation, and guidance are subject to change. Site-specific assessment by a qualified consultant is recommended before making development decisions.
Projects highlighted across this website represent professional work undertaken by Andrew Ransome throughout his career.