Planning Consultant in Ashford
Planning consultant in Ashford, Kent. Applications and appeals for sites in and beyond settlement boundaries, including Charing, Tenterden and the villages.
LOCATIONS
Andrew Ransome
10/17/20262 min read
Ashford Planning Consultant
If you need a planning consultant in Ashford, I provide independent planning advice across the borough: Ashford town, Tenterden, Charing, and the many villages in between.
Most of my Ashford work has included village-edge and backland sites around Charing and Charing Heath, where settlement boundaries, protected trees, listed buildings and a local design code all had to be addressed. I have won permission there both from the council and on appeal.
I am Andrew Ransome MRTPI, a Chartered Town Planner with more than two decades of experience in planning applications, appeals and planning policy.
Planning in Ashford
Applications are decided against the Ashford Local Plan 2030. It is now commencing a new local plan.
The issues that come up most often are:
Settlement boundaries: sites just outside a village boundary are often refused in principle. See my guide to getting planning permission outside a settlement boundary.
Nutrient neutrality: much of the borough drains to the Stodmarsh wetlands, which held up new homes for years. Mitigation credits have been on sale through Stour Environmental Credits since May 2026, and a second large scheme was approved in April 2026.
Landscape and heritage: the Kent Downs and High Weald National Landscapes, listed buildings and conservation areas in the older villages.
Trees, ecology and design codes on backland and garden sites.
Planning Services in Ashford
Site appraisals for edge-of-village and backland land.
Planning applications, including outline applications to establish the principle of development.
Planning appeals against refusal by Ashford Borough Council.
Phased strategies: securing a first permission, then increasing what a site can deliver.
Planning policy representations and site promotion for the new Ashford Local Plan.
Planning Examples in Ashford
Five homes on a backland site in Charing: approved after an earlier appeal established the principle, working around TPOs, ecology and the local design code.
Four homes outside the settlement boundary allowed on appeal: an edge-of-village site in Charing shown to function as part of the settlement.
Two homes in Charing Heath: outline permission outside the settlement boundary, next to a Grade II listed building.
Two homes allowed on appeal in Charing: a house replaced with a semi-detached pair, overcoming character and parking concerns.
Planning Advice in Ashford
If you own land at the edge of a village, or have a site that has been held up by nutrient neutrality, I can tell you where it stands now. See also my work across Kent and in neighbouring Canterbury.
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 Kent
Get in Touch
Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
Tel: 020 7096 8045
London Office:
60 Tottenham Court Road
Fitzrovia
London
W1T 2EW
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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.