What we do

Local Authority Advisory

Support your planning ambitions with our range of specialist services.

What we do
Planning
Local Authority Advisory

Local Authority Advisory Services

Economic growth and housing delivery remain central objectives of the planning system. Rapleys works with councils, landowners and developers to build compelling, evidence-led cases for development, helping clients navigate policy, demonstrate benefits and unlock opportunities for growth. Councils need a strong evidence base to turn planning policy into deliverable outcomes. We prepare housing, economic and retail studies, including HEDNAs, employment land reviews and retail assessments, helping authorities identify future land needs in line with national guidance.

We also help translate evidence into policy, supporting authorities through plan preparation, examination and appeal. We have a proven track record, with no local plan supported by our evidence ever withdrawn or found unsound.

Beyond providing robust evidence, Rapleys helps councils develop practical, deliverable planning strategies. Drawing on extensive planning and development experience, we focus on viability, delivery and risk, ensuring plans are not only sound in principle but capable of being successfully implemented.

Why Choose Rapleys for your Project?

Plan-making is becoming increasingly complex. Changing housing requirements, evolving economic trends and new land-use demands are reshaping the way councils plan for growth. Rapleys helps councils respond with up-to-date evidence and practical advice. Combining market insight with delivery expertise, we support authorities in adapting strategies, managing risk and planning confidently in a rapidly changing environment.

We work closely with councils, recognising that plans must ultimately be understood, owned and implemented by members and officers. Beyond providing advice, we work alongside officers to build knowledge and capacity, ensuring recommendations are understood, owned and capable of being delivered.

We advise councils on complex development management cases and challenges to adopted plans, assessing whether proposals genuinely align with local priorities, economic objectives and planning policy. Our experience includes reviewing evidence for major industrial, logistics, sports and leisure developments, where promoters seek to demonstrate significant need and public benefit.

We also support developers, landowners and promoters in engaging with the plan-making process. Drawing on extensive experience preparing evidence for councils, we identify weaknesses in emerging plans, challenge unsupported assumptions and build robust cases for development.

Our services include evidence base reviews, consultation responses, examination representations and matter statements, helping clients navigate and influence the planning process with confidence.

To get in touch regarding our public or private sector services, contact our team today.

Mark Waite

Director of Planning, Kellen Homes

I have had the pleasure of working with Bernard Greep for over 20 years and have consistently returned to him. His knowledge of the planning system is exceptional, and he provides advice that is clear, pragmatic, and firmly grounded in commercial realities. His experience spans a wide range of demanding projects, including securing the release of sites from the Green Belt, managing complex strategic land promotions, and overseeing the successful delivery of reserved matters applications. Throughout our working relationship, Bernard has shown the highest levels of professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail.

Richard Frank

Property Director, PHL

Rapleys Planning team has been advising Preferred Homes Ltd (PHL) since inception. PHL is a Registered Provider in partnership with Nuveen/TIAA. We wanted to work alongside Rapleys because they are very considered in the advice they provide. It is always clear, commercial and effective and delivered in a personable way. They have already secured many successful outcomes and have every confidence that they will continue to do so and be part of our journey to grow PHL in becoming a £1 billion plus company. We are delighted to take their advice and would recommend them to anybody seeking a planning partner.

Stuart Rose

Development Manager, Moto

We have worked closely with Rapleys across a range of planning and development projects, and the experience has consistently been positive. The team provide clear, practical advice, a strong understanding of the planning landscape, and a proactive approach to resolving challenges as they arise. Their ability to balance strategic insight with attention to detail has been invaluable, particularly when navigating complex or time-sensitive matters. We have found Rapleys to be professional, responsive, and collaborative, and would not hesitate to recommend them as a trusted planning consultancy partner.