Business Details
Expert Planning & Architecture Consultants in Derby
Planning Design is a multidisciplinary firm specialising in planning consultancy, architectural design, and heritage conservation. With extensive knowledge of local council policies and planning systems, we assist clients in securing permissions for diverse projects, from rural developments to urban regeneration. Our team of RIBA Chartered Architects and RTPI Chartered Town Planners combines technical expertise with a client-focused approach, ensuring tailored solutions that align with regulatory requirements. We prioritise sustainable design, heritage preservation, and innovative urban planning, serving homeowners, developers, and public sector clients nationwide.Our offices in Derby, Matlock, Macclesfield, and Sheffield provide localised expertise while maintaining a national reach. With decades of collective experience, we offer honest advice, strategic guidance, and end-to-end project support, from initial feasibility studies to construction oversight. Our commitment to integrity, teamwork, and excellence has established us as a trusted partner in shaping the built environment.
Services
Planning Consultancy
Heritage Architecture
Rural Development
Urban Design
Appeals
Enforcement Advice
Highlights and features
- We offer decades of combined experience in planning and architectural design.
- Our team includes RIBA Chartered Architects and RTPI Chartered Town Planners.
- We provide tailored solutions for complex planning challenges nationwide.
- Our approach prioritises sustainability, heritage preservation, and client needs.
- We maintain transparent communication and high professional standards.
Associations and certifications
- RIBA
- RTPI
Services
Planning Consultancy
Our planning consultants specialise in securing permissions for residential, commercial, and rural developments. We navigate complex policies, prepare applications, and represent clients at appeals. With expertise in local authority negotiations, we maximise approval chances while aligning projects with regulatory frameworks.
Heritage Architecture
We specialise in preserving historic buildings through sensitive design solutions. Our team handles listed building consents, conservation area projects, and heritage impact assessments. By blending traditional techniques with modern needs, we ensure compliance while maintaining architectural integrity for structures of all grades.
Rural Development
Our rural development experts assist with barn conversions, agricultural diversification, and new rural dwellings. We advise on permitted development rights, Class Q conversions, and planning strategies to overcome countryside restrictions while maximising land value and sustainability.
Urban Design
We create sustainable urban environments through masterplanning and design guidance. Our services include town centre regeneration, public space design, and development frameworks that balance growth with community needs, ensuring projects gain local authority support.
Planning Appeals
When permissions are refused, we prepare robust appeal cases. Our specialists handle written representations, hearings, and public inquiries, leveraging deep policy knowledge to challenge decisions and secure favourable outcomes for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
People
Jon Millhouse
Director - Chartered Town Planner
Jon specialises in heritage planning and is a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. He leads complex conservation projects, ensuring sensitive design solutions for listed buildings and World Heritage Sites.
Richard Pigott
Director - Chartered Town Planner
Richard provides strategic planning advice, focusing on rural development and appeals. With extensive public sector experience, he navigates challenging planning policies to deliver successful outcomes for residential and commercial clients.
Lindsay Cruddas
Director - Specialist Conservation Architect
Lindsay leads architectural projects with expertise in heritage conservation. As a registered Specialist Conservation Architect, she ensures historically significant structures are preserved while meeting modern functional requirements.
Michael Bamford
Director - Chartered Town Planner
Michael specialises in rural planning and urban design. He advises on permitted development rights and large-scale regeneration schemes, combining technical knowledge with practical solutions for landowners and developers.
David Symons
Director - Chartered Architect
David oversees architectural projects from concept to completion. His focus on sustainable design and regulatory compliance ensures projects meet planning requirements while achieving aesthetic and functional excellence.
Questions
What planning services do you offer?
We provide full planning consultancy services including applications, appeals, enforcement advice, and strategic policy guidance for residential, commercial, and rural developments.
Can you help with listed building projects?
Yes, our specialist conservation architects and heritage consultants handle listed building consents, conservation area projects, and historic structure repairs across all grades.
Do you work outside Derbyshire?
We operate nationwide with offices in Derby, Matlock, Macclesfield, and Sheffield, serving clients across the UK with local knowledge and national expertise.
How do you handle planning appeals?
Our team prepares detailed appeal cases, manages hearings, and negotiates with local authorities to challenge refusals and secure permissions for complex projects.
What rural development expertise do you have?
We specialise in barn conversions, agricultural diversification, and rural housing schemes, advising on permitted development rights and Class Q applications.
Are you qualified to handle heritage projects?
Yes, our team includes RIBA Chartered Architects, RTPI planners, and IHBC members with specific heritage accreditation and extensive conservation experience.
