Planning Consultant in Kent
Chartered planning consultant advising in Kent on planning applications, appeals, lawful development and development potential across every Kent district.
LOCATIONS
Andrew Ransome
10/17/20263 min read
Kent Planning Consultant
If you are looking for a planning consultant in Kent, I provide independent planning advice to homeowners, landowners, developers and businesses across the county.
Kent is not one planning area but thirteen. Twelve district and borough councils, plus Medway, each decide planning applications against their own local plan, and those plans are at very different stages. Kent County Council adds its own role on highways, minerals and waste.
I am Andrew Ransome MRTPI, a Chartered Town Planner with more than two decades of experience. My Kent work includes planning appeals and applications in Thanet, Canterbury, Dover, Ashford, Dartford, Gravesham and Folkestone & Hythe.
Planning Across Kent's Towns, Coast and Countryside
The issues that decide a planning application change sharply across the county.
North Kent: Dartford and Gravesham sit within the Metropolitan Green Belt, alongside Thames-side regeneration and Ebbsfleet Garden City. Green Belt and grey belt policy often decide whether a site can be developed.
The East Kent coast: Thanet, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Deal and Dover combine conservation areas, listed buildings, flood risk and protected coastal habitats with a strong visitor economy.
The Stour catchment: around Canterbury and Ashford, new homes must show nutrient neutrality to protect the Stodmarsh wetlands. Mitigation credits became available in 2026, which has started to unlock stalled sites.
The countryside: the Kent Downs and High Weald National Landscapes, settlement boundaries and village design codes shape what is possible outside the towns.
Local Plans in Kent Are Changing
Timing matters as much as location.
Dover adopted its Local Plan to 2040 in October 2024 and Dartford adopted the Dartford Plan to 2037 in April 2024. Canterbury's new plan is heading for examination, while Thanet and Ashford have begun new plans under the reformed plan-making system.
Where a plan is out of date, or a council cannot show a five-year housing land supply, restrictive policies can carry less weight. Several of my Kent wins turned on exactly that point. I can tell you where your council stands before you commit to an application.
Planning Services in Kent
Site and land appraisals to establish realistic development potential.
Pre-application submissions to the council.
Planning applications for new homes, extensions, redevelopment and changes of use.
Planning appeals following refusal or non-determination.
Prior approval and permitted development advice.
Certificates of lawfulness for existing or proposed development.
Variations of condition, including opening hours and occupancy restrictions.
Planning Consultant by Kent District
I also advise in Folkestone & Hythe, Swale, Maidstone, Medway, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells.
Example Successes in Kent
28 homes allowed on appeal against Dover District Council, after a High Court challenge.
17 homes in Whitstable allowed on appeal despite conservation, flood risk and viability objections.
A new home in Birchington allowed on appeal against Thanet District Council.
These case studies span my career, including work carried out with previous consultancies.
Planning Advice in Kent
Whether you are a homeowner planning an extension, a landowner weighing up development potential or a business facing a refusal, I can give you clear advice based on your site and your council.
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
© 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.