When you start a planning application, honest planning advice is your best ally. It helps you understand real risks, spot hidden issues, and avoid wasted time and money. At Norton Taylor Nunn, we believe clients deserve straight talk from day one.
Reviewing plans and providing advice
Why honest planning advice matters
Every site is different. Honest planning advice shows you the specific challenges your project faces. Rather than glossing over tricky rules, it flags problems early so you have time to tweak your designs, consult the Council properly and feel confident before you submit. Candid guidance at the start stops surprises later, allowing you to budget for surveys or reports, adjust your layout and seek pre-application advice to iron out concerns. In the long run, honest planning advice often saves weeks or months in back-and-forth with the Council.
Where to find honest advice
Seek experts who put transparency first by asking for real examples of when plans had to change. Visit the Planning Portal to read about common validation issues and then speak to a planner who will give you clear feedback on your proposals. At Norton Taylor Nunn we offer a planning appraisal that provides a written report on strengths, risks and next steps before you apply.
Honest planning advice through every stage
At the concept stage
When you sketch your first ideas, honest planning advice helps you shape them around policy from the start. It steers you away from layouts the Council is likely to refuse, saving you costly redraws and building trust with your architect.
During validation
Validation checks can trap you with missing information. A planner who reviews your full submission before you apply will spot gaps in ecology, highways or heritage statements. That means fewer rounds of ‘please provide’ from the Council and a smoother journey to a validated application.
Why seek advice now?
Planning rules change regularly. What worked last year may now fall foul of new green belt or conservation policies. By seeking honest planning advice today, you avoid relying on old rules and find the best current route to approval. With new housing targets and net-zero goals, Councils are more cautious than ever. Candid advice helps you meet the latest standards for biodiversity, energy efficiency and local design guides.
Why Norton Taylor Nunn?
Our core value is honesty. We tell every client the true chance of success in plain English. We balance optimism with realism and back our advice with case studies. You will know exactly what approvals cost, how long they take and where risks lie. We work closely with architects, engineers and the Council. Our team has secured permissions for bespoke homes and small developments across London, the East of England, and the South East. No one else matches our blend of creativity and policy expertise. Read more about our planning application services.
Gain clarity and confidence
Honest planning advice gives you clarity on policy and process so you feel in control. It builds confidence that your proposals meet the Council’s expectations. It delivers cost savings by helping you avoid redesigns and repeated surveys and it leads to faster decisions thanks to complete, well-prepared submissions.
What happens without honest planning advice
Without candid advice you risk lengthy delays as missing validation documents trigger more questions, over-optimistic designs face refusal and lead to expensive appeals or, worst of all, you may lose faith in the process and overspend trying to fix unforeseen problems.
Next steps for your application
If you are planning any development, speak to us early on. Honest planning advice is the first step to a smoother journey. Visit our contact page or call to arrange a free discovery call. Let’s turn your vision into reality.
At every turn, honest planning advice protects your time, money and dreams. Don’t wait until you hit a roadblock. Talk to a planner who tells it like it is so you can build with confidence.
