Plan Approved Service
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Recent Approvals
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Plan Approved Process
Site & Brief Review
We begin by understanding your aspirations and the full potential of the site. We review local planning policy, past approvals, and any constraints to define a clear path to consent from the outset. Where beneficial, we also engage a specialist planning consultant early on to provide strategic advice and strengthen the proposal.
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Client Success
Hawkstone exceeded all our expectations! They designed our new home in Derbyshire with creativity and attention to detail we hadn't seen from other firms. The designs were stunning and perfectly suited to our needs.
Alex Corbitt
New Build home
Hawkstone did an excellent job delivering our new townhouse development. The team were professional, efficient, and highly knowledgeable throughout. They kept us well informed at every stage and ensured the final result met our expectations in every detail.
John Mayers
New Townhouses
I have worked with the chaps at Hawkstone several times now and their work ethic and professionalism shine through. They always work quickly and diligently whilst maintaining quality. They find solutions to problems and aren't shy to present new ideas. Highly recommended.
Rob Duckworth
Planning Consultant
Hawkstone did an excellent job planning my roof conversion. The team was professional, efficient, and highly knowledgeable. They kept me well-informed throughout the entire process, ensuring I was satisfied with every detail.
Adam Fox
Loft Conversion
Hawkstone did an excellent job planning my new house. The team was professional, efficient, and highly knowledgeable. They kept me well-informed throughout the entire process, ensuring I was satisfied with every detail.
Tony Adams
Full renovation & extension
Every project I've worked on with Hawkstone has been handled with a high level of professionalism and commitment. They work efficiently without compromising on quality, approach challenges with clear solutions, and confidently introduce new ideas. A team I would highly recommend.
Andrew Large
Planning Consultant
FAQs
What does our Plan Approved pathway mean in practice?
It means we focus first on securing a commercially and architecturally strong planning permission before progressing into technical detail. The early design work is shaped around what can realistically be approved, protecting both capital and programme.
Why is this approach better for high-value homes or developments?
On high-end or multi-unit projects, planning risk directly affects land value, viability, and return. A Planning First approach reduces abortive design costs and gives early certainty on what can be delivered.
Is this suitable for developers as well as private clients?
Yes. It is particularly effective for developers, landowners, and investors where planning uplift, unit yield, and saleability are key drivers, as well as for private clients building bespoke homes on sensitive sites.
What services are included in the Plan Approved stage?
Planning strategy, site and policy analysis, concept design, pre-application discussions where appropriate, full planning drawings, design and access statements, consultant coordination, and end-to-end planning submission management.
Will focusing on planning restrict the quality of the architecture?
No. The design is intelligently shaped to gain approval, not diluted. Once permission is secured, the architecture is refined, elevated, and detailed without risking refusal.
How does this approach protect project value?
It avoids over-designing schemes that may not be approved, limits redesign fees, shortens overall timelines, and ensures early clarity on scale, massing, and unit numbers, critical for cost planning and exit strategy.
Can the scheme change after planning approval?
Yes. Layouts, materials, detailing, and internal quality are developed further during the technical stages while staying within the approved planning envelope.
How long does the Plan Approved stage usually take?
Typically 3–6 weeks for design and submission, followed by the local authority determination period (usually 8–13 weeks depending on project complexity).
Do you work with consultants when applying for planning permission?
Yes, if required, we have a range of consultants we work with throughout Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire dependant on the project speficifs.
Why do developers choose you?
Developers choose us because we lead with planning certainty and commercial realism. Our plan approved approach is focused on securing approvals that maximise planning uplift, protect land value, and reduce risk. We understand how planners think, address constraints early, and avoid over-designing schemes that may not be approved.
