Today marks the 10 year anniversary of Corbil Planning Ltd.   Looking back, it was no joke starting a new company on April fools day back in 2016, especially considering the circumstances we were in at the time.   Jemma and I had both resigned from our jobs. We had just got our first mortgage together and bought our own family home. Alfie, our eldest son, was just 3 months old when the company was incorporated. The number of clients the company had could be counted on little

As part of our ongoing sponsorship of the Central London Property Network, James prepared this article for their 16th anniversary meeting that took place on Wednesday, 25th March. In the article, James gives his thoughts on the forthcoming changes to the written reps appeal system, which comes into force for applications submitted after 01 April 2026 (April fools day!). 🥸 With the number of planning permissions granted for new housing dwindling over successive years, whilst

As part of our ongoing engagement providing planning consultancy services to Powdermills Hotel operated by Crafted, we were asked to secure a Certificate of Lawfulness for off-grid cabins in a remote and quiet field north of the lake. Utilising a little known or used part of the deepest, darkest depths of the General Permitted Development Order (Class A, Part 5, Schedule 2), and through a collaboration between the hotel and Wilded Club (who benefit from a Certificate of Exemp

As part of Corbil Planning's sponsorship of the Surrey Property Exchange, James gave a timely update on the consultation version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation ran from 16th December 2025 and all responses were due to be submitted to MHCLG by 11:45 today, 10 March 2026. The consultation sets out wide ranging changes to the government's planning policy from the introduction of Spatial Development Strategies (responsible for setting out spati

Following the introduction of annual inflation indexation in November 2023, following an amendment to the 2012 Town and Country Planning Regulations, planning fees are due to increase as of 1st April 2026 by 3.8%. This pushes the planning application fee per new dwelling house up from £588 to £610. A difference of £22 - around the same as a standard bottle of Jack Daniels. We know which we would prefer, and it's results are far more reliable!

Forthcoming changes to the planning appeal system will mean that any planning application submitted on or after 01 April 2026, and which proceeds to a written representation format of appeal, will be subject to new rules that prohibit the submission of additional evidence at the appeal stage. This effectively means that the information you submit with your planning application will need to be robust and substantial enough to also defend any subsequent appeal. There will be no

This week, we were delighted to secure a PA upward extension (new first floor) as well as a larger rear extension on this property near Addlestone in Surrey. The property is located within the Green Belt. Through the use of Permitted Development (PDR) we have secured an uplift of 180% in GIA and 135% in volume. Had Green Belt policy been applied by making a Planning Application rather than using PDR, then we would have been restricted to enlargements that only amounted to 30%

It was a great day at the National Development Summit on Saturday. The event was buzzing with lots of active and committed developers, knowledgeable professionals, all with a great deal of experience in the industry. The atmosphere was friendly and encouraging. We hope that our presentation on Planning Policy Updates and Opportunities was helpful to those in the room. The event was very well organised by Brendan Quinn, Salim Miah and their team.

The Times described the new Powdermills Hotel as 'the most stylish place to stay in East Sussex'. We certainly think so too. Corbil Planning worked with Crafted, and a great professional team, to put in place a masterplan and series of planning permissions and listed building consents to renovate this grade II listed building and it's beautiful estate within the High Weald National Landscape to become a hotel destination for pure leisure and relaxation in its natural surroun

We are really looking forward to be attending the National Development Summit at the Marriott Heathrow on Saturday, 7th February. A great range of panels and speakers lined up for what promises to be a truly engaging and informative day. James Hutchison will be speaking on the latest planning policy updates and opportunities (no surprises what might be in store this year, did someone mention the NPPF consultation?!)