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Planning policy and environmental matters can influence land value, development capacity, infrastructure, programme and long-term performance, so we help clients understand them early.
We bring together expertise across town planning, sustainability, utilities, highways and transportation, acoustics, hydrology, ground conditions, nutrients, air quality and environmental assessment. Our specialists work with developers, landowners, investors, planners, architects and delivery teams on projects of every scale, from focused advice on a single plot to strategic allocations and large-scale masterplans.
Why Choose Brookbanks for Site Appraisal & Consenting
On complex sites, planning and environmental matters are closely connected. Planning strategy shapes the evidence a scheme needs, drainage can influence the masterplan, transport can affect air quality and noise, and ground conditions can shape infrastructure and development strategy. Because our specialists work together in-house, we help project teams understand these interfaces and develop coordinated solutions, rather than considering each matter in isolation.
Key Client Benefits
- Early insight into planning risk, flood risk, ground conditions, utility capacity, access, noise, air quality and nutrients, before key investment and design decisions are fixed.
- Coordinated advice from specialists who work together, so connected planning and environmental matters are resolved as part of one development strategy.
- Clear, proportionate technical evidence that supports planning and consenting, backed by constructive engagement with regulators and authorities.
- Support across the full project lifecycle, from acquisition and planning through to design, construction, monitoring and the discharge of planning conditions.
- We look for value enhancement in every environmental assessment, identifying opportunities to improve development outcomes and deliver wider environmental and community benefits.
Our Specialist Areas
Town Planning
Our town planning team unlocks development opportunities and maximises land value. Combining commercial development expertise with placemaking and stakeholder engagement, they guide landowners, developers, investors and promoters through land promotion, planning applications, Section 106 negotiation, appeals, consent and implementation, with dedicated support for strategic planning, planning delivery and development advisory.
Sustainability
Our sustainability experts embed sustainability into decisions from early land appraisal to operation, covering energy and planning statements, building performance modelling, whole life carbon, ESG strategy and certification under schemes such as BREEAM, WELL and LEED.
Utilities
Our utility specialists provide strategic, commercially focused advice across electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications, from searches and capacity studies to connection strategies, procurement, diversions and reinforcement.
Highways & Transportation
Our transport planning specialists advise on how people and vehicles access and move through developments, preparing transport assessments, travel plans, traffic modelling and access designs, and supporting clients through engagement and appeals.
Acoustics
Our acoustic specialists combine environmental noise and vibration with building and architectural acoustics, from baseline surveys and noise impact assessments to sound insulation design, building services noise control and pre-completion testing.
Hydrology
Our hydrology specialists provide Flood Risk Assessments, hydraulic modelling, drainage strategies and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) design, working closely with the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and water companies on our clients’ behalf.
Ground Conditions
Our ground specialists provide environmental and geotechnical risk management, from Preliminary Risk Assessments and the management of intrusive investigations to independent review of outputs and minerals safeguarding assessments.
Nutrients
Our nutrients specialists help clients navigate nutrient neutrality in protected catchments, from nutrient budget calculations and mitigation strategies to wetland feasibility and engagement with Natural England and other consultees.
Air Quality
Our air quality specialists assess the effects of development on air quality and the exposure of future occupants, covering dispersion modelling, odour, dust and construction emissions, and emissions from industrial, energy and data centre sources.
Environmental Assessment
Our environmental assessment specialists help clients understand whether Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required and coordinate the technical inputs behind it, from screening and scoping through to the Environmental Statement.
Sectors We Support
Our site appraisal and planning specialists support residential, industry and logistics, infrastructure, commercial, data centre, leisure, education, healthcare, high rise and heritage projects, as well as major regeneration schemes.
Visit Our Sectors to see how we support each one.
Talk to Our Specialists
Whether you need planning advice, a single assessment or coordinated site appraisal and planning support across a major development, contact a member of the team directly, or email hello@brookbanks.com and one of our experts will get back to you.
Group Director for Land, Development and Communities
Lee Witts
lee.witts@brookbanks.com
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Group Technical Director, Land, Development and Communities
Dean Swann
dean.swann@brookbanks.com
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Technical Director, Land, Development and Communities
Richard Boyle
richard.boyle@brookbanks.com
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FAQs
Can you provide several site appraisal and planning services on the same project?
Yes. Our environmental specialists work together in-house, so we can provide coordinated advice across flood risk, ground conditions, utilities, transport, noise, air quality, nutrients and sustainability. This helps resolve connected issues early, with a lead contact agreed to coordinate our input.
When should we involve your environmental specialists?
As early as possible, ideally before a site is acquired or a layout is fixed. Early advice helps identify constraints and opportunities while there is still flexibility to plan around them.
Do you support projects after planning permission is granted?
Yes. We help discharge planning conditions and provide monitoring, compliance and delivery support, from drainage design and utility connections to noise and air quality monitoring.
Do you work on smaller sites?
Yes. Alongside strategic allocations and large masterplans, we regularly provide focused services for individual sites, such as a single Flood Risk Assessment, a utility search or a noise survey.