Expertise & Excellence
Planning Consultant Services
Residential Planning & Design
From loft conversions and rear extensions to basement excavations and new-build dwellings, DMC Planning handles the full range of residential planning applications across London. We bring particular depth to Camden, one of the capital’s most demanding planning environments, but our track record spans every London borough, and for clients with projects further afield, we are equally at home working nationally.
Every instruction begins with a planning viability assessment. Before any design resource is committed, we establish the most defensible route to consent, whether that is a Permitted Development right, Prior Approval, or full planning application. This front-loaded rigour is why we consistently secure approvals for even the most complex residential schemes, including sensitive works to listed buildings and properties within conservation areas.
- Listed Building Consent & Conservation Areas
- Permitted Development Rights Optimisation
- Full Planning Applications & Appeals
Commercial Assets & Change of Use
London’s commercial planning framework is one of the most complex in the country. DMC Planning advises commercial landlords, developers, and owner-occupiers on the full range of commercial planning matters: Class E use class applications, office-to-residential Prior Approvals under Class MA, retail and hospitality design strategy, mixed-use development proposals, and large-scale commercial feasibility assessments.
As with all our instructions, commercial work starts with a thorough planning viability assessment, establishing what is realistically achievable within the local policy framework before design investment begins. Whether you are changing the use of a ground-floor unit or unlocking the development potential of a significant London commercial site, our team provides the strategic expertise to deliver the outcome.
- Class E Use Class Management
- Retail & Hospitality Design Strategy
- Commercial Feasibility Studies
Planning Appeals
A planning refusal is rarely the end of the road. DMC Planning operates with an exceptionally high appeals success rate, a result of how we work from the outset. We only submit applications we are confident will succeed, following a detailed pre-submission viability assessment. This means our refusal rate is low, and when appeals are required, we approach them with the same rigorous preparation that drives our original applications.
Our appeals experience covers the full range of Planning Inspectorate procedures: written representations for straightforward cases, hearings for complex policy disagreements, and full public inquiries for major developments. We also handle enforcement notice appeals and lawful development certificate applications where Permitted Development rights are in dispute. Throughout, our commitment is to present the strongest possible case, and to tell you honestly if a scheme has no realistic prospect of success.
- Written Representations & Hearings
- Enforcement Notice Appeals
- Decision Analysis & Strategy
Listed Buildings & Heritage
London holds more listed buildings than any other city in England, and securing consent for Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II properties demands a depth of heritage planning knowledge that goes well beyond standard practice. DMC Planning has achieved successful outcomes across all listing grades and all project types, from sensitive internal alterations to period townhouses through to major restoration programmes for some of the capital’s most architecturally significant structures.
Our heritage instructions frequently arise in the conservation areas of Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Islington, where design scrutiny is intense and the margin for error is small. We prepare comprehensive Heritage Statements and Impact Assessments in line with Historic England guidance, and engage in pre-application discussions with heritage officers before submission, building the strongest possible policy foundation for every listed building consent.
- Heritage Statements & Impact Assessments
- Restoration & Alteration Consents
- Period Detail Preservation
Technical Precision. Elegant Results.
Our methodology blends architectural sensitivity with rigorous technical analysis to ensure every application is positioned for success within the London planning framework.
Site Analysis
Detailed evaluation of local policies and site constraints.
Planning Strategy
Bespoke roadmaps tailored to specific development goals.
Negotiation
Liaising with local authorities to secure positive outcomes.
Discuss Your London Development
Secure your project's future with London's most precise planning consultancy.