Planning

Planning consultancy with a local authority eye

LWM Planning provides specialist planning consultancy services to local authorities, developers and organisations across the planning lifecycle. 

Our team combines extensive local government and private sector experience, allowing us to deliver practical, commercially aware solutions that support efficient planning delivery and positive development outcomes. 

We understand the pressures facing both planning authorities and applicants, alongside the increasing complexity of the planning system. Our flexible approach provides expert advice, additional capacity and tailored support to help organisations manage demand and deliver high-quality outcomes - whether supporting Local Planning Authorities or acting on behalf of private clients. 

LWM Planning was named ‘Small Planning Consultancy of the Year’ at the 2025 RTPI West Midlands Awards and was also shortlisted nationally in the RTPI Awards that year. 

What we do for local planning authorities 

  • Planning capacity support 
  • Development management 
  • Planning applications support 
  • Service transformation 
  • Planning appeals support 

What we do for private clients 

We provide a full range of planning consultancy services for private clients, including: 

  • Planning applications  
  • Planning appeals  
  • Local Plan representations  
  • Coordination of consultant teams  
  • Stakeholder and local authority liaison  
  • Preparation of planning statements and supporting materials 

Why choose LWM Planning 

Our team combines local authority insight with commercial expertise to deliver practical, effective and collaborative planning solutions. 

We focus on building trusted relationships, understanding local context and helping clients navigate the planning process with confidence. 

Impact 

We help planning teams manage demand, improve efficiency and deliver high-quality outcomes.  

Testimonial

“Responsive and agile… delivering practical solutions through meaningful engagement.” 

“LWMTS (LWM Planning) continue to be a responsive and agile partner - easy to reach, quick to set up meetings, and clear in their communication. They are pragmatic in their approach, bringing in the right level of engagement across seniority exactly when needed. Rather than overcomplicating matters, they focus on delivering practical solutions to issues through meaningful engagement, making the process efficient and collaborative. Their professionalism and responsiveness have made them an effective and valued partner”. 

- Prologis

Case studies

Lichfield District Council 

Local planning authority support 

LWM Planning developed and delivered a collaborative Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) approach, supporting improved engagement between applicants and the local authority throughout the pre-application and determination process. 

The approach helped improve application quality while supporting more efficient and timely decision-making for all parties. 

Impact 

  • Improved planning application quality 
  • More efficient decision-making 
  • Collaborative pre-application engagement 
  • Better outcomes for applicants and the authority 

Somerset Council 

Planning Capacity Support 

LWM Planning provided specialist development management support to Somerset Council, acting as case officer for a major planning application. 

This included negotiating a Planning Performance Agreement with the applicant and supporting the determination process through flexible planning capacity support. 

Services delivered 

  • Development management support  
  • Planning Performance Agreement negotiation  
  • Case officer support  
  • Application determination support 

Award-winning planning consultancy

RTPI West Midlands Awards 2025 - Small planning consultancy of the year

National RTPI Awards 2025 - Finalist