Planning & Development

Smith & Garratt promote clients' interests through the Development Plan process; prepare and submit applications; conduct reviews, appeals and Public Inquiries. We know how to deal pragmatically with the statutory consultees, the traffic, the bats, the flood risk, the archaeology, the objectors, the ground investigation, the developer contribution and the community infrastructure levy to emerge with an optimal solution tailored to our client’s individual needs.

Our caseload covers a range of developments including:

Residential Planning (from urban expansion to single dwellings)
Change of Use applications (such as conversions)
Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
Alterations and Extensions
Minerals & Waste; Brownfield Regeneration
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (wind, small-scale hydro, solar and ground-source)
Agriculture (farm buildings, processing, waste disposal)
Planning Agreements – s.69, s.75, s.106 Agreements, &c.

Typically, our projects concern grooming sites through the local plan process, changes of use, the erection of bespoke dwellings and alterations to listed buildings.

Case Studies

Developments

Smith & Garratt develop sites. We promote clients’ interests through the Development Plan process; prepare and submit applications; conduct reviews, appeals and Public Inquiries. Smith & Garratt develop sites. Here are some examples… More Case Studies Smith & Garratt have acknowledged expertise with heritage property, regularly working on listed buildings and Scheduled Monuments. See some … Read more

Spittal Pavilion

The Pavilion is a Venetian-style amusement arcade and café overlooking the Northumberland coastline from Spittal, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Smith & Garratt were asked to review the current building and to produce an outline scheme for improvement and enlargement. The initial scheme was produced in Sketch-Up as a fast way to visualize the building and a possible extension … Read more

Sun Path Analysis

Smith & Garratt use sun-path analysis in design. The sun path, sometimes also called the day arc, refers to the daily and seasonal path the sun appears to follow across the sky as the earth orbits it and rotates. Sun-path analysis predicts the daylight experience at any building plot, helping us to design and orientate a building to … Read more

Lamberton Plot

Smith & Garratt obtained planning permission at appeal for a house on a prominent site, visible from the A1 Trunk Road at Lamberton, with fabulous sea views. The plot was sold, and the purchaser asked us to design her dream home based on a house in Elgin – bigger than the consented design allowed and, … Read more

Bughtrig Stairs

At the heart of the Bughtrig restoration is the fabulous white limestone staircase – three flights of cantilevered stairs hanging in the air as if by magic. The building developed from a simple three-bay house, one room deep, to become the seven-bay, double-depth country seat of the Ramsay family. The staircase replaces two timber stairs, … Read more

Marchmont Balcony

Smith & Garratt designed and obtained listed building consent for a splendid balcony to augment an A-listed Palladian mansion. The nine-metre-wide structure provides outdoor space for two dozen diners and access to the gardens from a gallery at Marchmont House. A cantilevered balcony is an exacting thing to build, especially in natural stone, so we … Read more

...What Our Clients Have to Say

Green-Oak-Framed Extension to Listed Cottage

“I am writing to say how delighted we are with your transformation of [our cottage], it looks beautiful. We didn’t realise at first how well your design would work, but the more we lived in it the more impressed we became.” - SW, Northumberland

Holiday Letting Agents

“We are very pleased to refer our property owners and clients to Smith & Garratt. They have worked on a number of conversions for the holiday let business that we currently manage. It’s great to be able to assist both our existing and any potential new clients who may be looking to develop property, renovate buildings or simply require some professional advice.” - EC, Director, holiday letting agency

Listed Building Consent for Extension to Country House

“This is tremendous news. Total vindication of the Garratt approach – congratulations and well done! Many thanks for all your work on this.” - Rt Hon Lord M, East Lothian

Planning for New Mansion House

“Can I just make one very important comment – we would not have got the design that my father wanted without Hugh, he has been invaluable.” - TI, Fishwick, Berwickshire

Exemption from Requirement to Obtain Listed Building Consent

“Hugh, this is fantastic news! Thank you for your hard work to get this arranged.” - SN, Historic England, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Third Planning Appeal in Respect of New Country House

“I just got news about the planning. I’m still reeling from shock; to be honest I thought this day would never come! I can’t believe all your hard work has finally paid off and I’m so grateful for all your help getting this through. I could just go and stand on the plot with a bottle of champagne and make a toast, I am so chuffed; thank you so very much!” - SC, Highlands