Planning Consultant in Epping Forest

Epping Forest Planning Consultant

Are you are looking for a planning consultant in Epping Forest? expert advice can make the difference between a refused application and a successful outcome.

Well-prepared proposals that respond to local policy and the character of the borough stand the best chance of approval.

I'm Andrew Ransome MRTPI, a Chartered Town Planner providing professional planning consultancy services across Epping Forest District, including Epping, Loughton and Waltham Abbey and the district's villages.

Planning in Epping Forest

Epping Forest District combines two of the most demanding constraints in English planning:

• the Green Belt, and

• the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation, a European-protected habitat whose 6.2km zone of influence affects recreational and air-quality assessments for developments well beyond the Forest boundary itself.

In 2026 the government placed the Council in planning "special measures" over housing delivery, meaning larger applications may now be decided by the Planning Inspectorate rather than the Council itself — a significant shift for anyone bringing forward a major scheme in the district.

I provide a full suite of planning services tailored to residential, commercial, mixed-use, and industrial developments across Havering.

My planning consultancy services include:

• Site Appraisal - I undertake initial assessments to undertsand the planning risks and opportunities and potential planning strategies to take a site forward.

• Planning Applications – handling all types of applications, from householder projects to complex commercial schemes

• Prior Approval – managing permitted development notifications for office-to-residential conversions and other eligible changes

• Lawful Development Certificates – securing confirmation that existing or proposed works are lawful

• Planning Appeals – preparing and managing appeals where applications have been refused

  Under the Part 1 procedure that applies from 1 April 2026, appeals are determined on the original application material only. It is more imporant now that the planning submisisons are robust. I can advice on planning strategy in respect to planning appeals.

• Pre-Application Advice – engaging with Havering Council early to identify risks and improve the prospects of approval

• Change of Use – managing applications to unlock the full potential of your property

Get Planning Advice in Epping Forest

If you are considering a development project or have received a planning refusal in Epping Forest, I can provide clear, practical advice on your next steps.

Get in touch for a discussion about your project and how to move it forward.

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 Essex

Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk

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The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute planning or legal advice. Planning policy, legislation, and case law change over time, and every planning matter should be assessed on its own merits. No responsibility is accepted for any loss or action taken in reliance on the content of this site. The projects, planning applications and appeals presented on this website reflect professional work undertaken by, or involving me, throughout my career, including work undertaken in both my current and previous employment positions.