Development Land & Planning

Our knowledgeable team provides expert advice to clients looking to sell or develop their residential, agricultural or commercial land and buildings. We value and market development land of all descriptions including building plots, barns for conversion and large development sites. We have a specialist planning, drawing and design office and provide professional advice at every stage of the development process, from conception and feasibility, assessing best use and viability, preparation of design plans and obtaining planning permissions.

Our Services

Project Valuations

We have a wealth of experience in providing our clients with sound and reliable valuation advice, for all recognised purposes, and covering all types of development property.

Our services include:

Qualified professional chartered surveyors and valuers
Free initial appraisal
Market appraisal, loan security, probate, taxation and other valuations
Extensive market knowledge throughout Somerset, Devon & Dorset

Planning Consultancy

We have an experienced team of planning professionals who can provide the full architectural service across Somerset and extending to the whole of the South West.

Our in-house team have a proven track record of success in assisting land owners, private clients and developers in achieving the necessary Planning and Building Regulation consents necessary to allow projects to be constructed.

The Drawing and Design team have extensive knowledge and experience of building design and construction including the preparation of architectural drawings using the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, for a range of projects including:

New building, conversion and refurbishment projects
Bespoke Architect designed individual houses
Apartment developments
Large residential development sites
Agricultural worker's dwellings and agricultural buildings
Commercial projects
Holiday accommodation
Free initial appraisal
Detailed knowledge of local planning policies and practices
Strong working relationships with local Planning and Highway Authorities
Planning feasibility and viability appraisals
Measured surveys and building structure surveys
Professional design and drawing service
Preparation and submission of planning applications
Local development framework submissions
Certificate of Lawfulness for existing or proposed developments
Planning appeals
Enforcement advice and appeals
Major applications
Redevelopment of brownfield sites
Agricultural worker's dwellings, occupancy conditions and agricultural buildings
Anaerobic digestion, solar power and other renewable energy projects
Listed building and conservation area applications
Minerals and waste applications
Footpaths and rights of way
Technical assessments for Building Regulations and construction compliance

Listed Buildings

We regularly undertake planning applications involving listed buildings or property located within conservation areas where careful design and attention to detail are vitally important in achieving planning permissions, listed building approvals and conservation area consents.

Our services include:

Established relationships with Conservation and Planning Officers
Understanding of conservation policies and principles
Alterations to listed buildings
Conversion and redevelopment proposals

Any works to alter, extend or demolish Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II Listed Buildings require Listed Building Consent from the planning authority, even if planning permission is not required for the works. Listed status affects the whole of the building, inside and out, and can also extend to outbuildings and other features that are historically associated with or within the curtilage of the Listed building. Whilst Planning Authorities are encouraged to consider the conservation of the historic environment, planning policy recognises that intelligently managed change may sometimes be necessary if heritage assets are to be maintained for the long term.

The professional team within our Development and Planning Division have a detailed understanding of the specialist requirements in dealing with such projects. We maintain close working relationships with Conservation Officers at Local Authorities throughout Somerset, Devon and Dorset, and maintain a sound understanding of planning policy and practice in this particular area. Our aim is to gain a detailed understanding of our clients’ needs, and through a process of negotiation with Planning and Conservation Officers, to achieve design proposals that meet these goals whilst satisfying the Local Authority’s conservation requirements.

We have considerable experience in dealing with Listed building projects including alterations and extensions to residential and commercial property, demolition or works to associated structures, barn conversions, enabling development to secure the future of heritage assets, and other similar projects. If you have a Listed building and are considering works that may affect the fabric, structure or setting of the property, please contact our Development and Planning Division for detailed professional advice and assistance.

Strategic Land

We are experienced in providing advice to owners of land with medium to long-term development potential which the planning process may not yet have identified as being suitable for future residential or commercial redevelopment.

Our services include:

Dedicated Strategic Land Surveyor
Free initial appraisal
Comprehensive knowledge of planning policies
Advice on strategy to secure allocation
Local development framework submissions
Strategic housing land availability assessments
Site assembly
Landowners agreements
Negotiation with house builders and developers
Option agreements

New Homes

We provide a specialist marketing service for developers and house builders, small and large, recognising the individual marketing requirements of new home developments.

We regularly sell over 200 new homes annually throughout Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

Our services include:

Dedicated New Homes Manager
Marketing appraisals
Tailored marketing packages
Preparation of brochures/marketing literature
Dedicated website advertising
Competitive fees
Extensive regional coverage through our network of 13 offices

Marketing

We offer an unrivalled service regularly selling development land and property on behalf of private clients, County and District Councils, Police Authority and Health Trusts. We maintain a large register of applicants regularly looking for projects including private buyers and developers. We are recognised specialists in selling by Public Auction with regular sales throughout the region.

Our marketing services include:

Market leaders in the disposal of development sites and property
Free initial appraisal
Extensive availability of building plots, development land and buildings for conversion
Comprehensive and regular updated register of applicants
Tailored marketing brochures
Local, Regional and National advertising
Web site advertising
Competitive sale fees
Regular auctions

Drawing & Design

Our team have a thorough knowledge of building design and construction, and the preparation of drawings for a complete range of projects using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

Our services include:

Concept drawings
New building, conversion and refurbishment projects
Individual houses
Apartment developments
Large residential development sites
Agricultural worker’s dwellings and agricultural buildings
Commercial projects
Holiday accommodation
3 dimensional imaging and designs

Building & Construction

Our professional team regularly act on behalf of private clients and developers and have the experience to achieve the necessary Building Regulations Approvals and other consents to allow projects to be constructed.

Our services include:

Residential, agricultural, commercial and other projects
Free initial appraisal
Preparation of drawings for Building Regulation approval
Negotiation with Building Control Officers
Construction and scheduling
Site liaison
Preparation of specification, contract and tender documentation
Contract administration
Site inspections
Project management
Mortgage certification
Advice on sustainable construction
NHBC liaison
CDM regulation
Party Wall Act

Planning Policy Overview

Development and Land Search

Case Studies

Hornshay Farm - Before and After

Winner: Best Change of Use of an Existing Building or Conversion

Before: These listed barns were in a very poor state of repair and were given a new lease of life. GTH Project Architect, Nick Ratcliff, produced a comprehensive set of drawings for the barn conversions which were fully compliant with the Building Regulations yet retained the character of the barns, providing accommodation for modern family living. Prior to work starting on site an extensive ecological survey was undertaken to establish the existence of bats and nesting birds. The build schedule was planned accordingly and detailed mitigation measures were adhered to to protect roosting bats and nesting birds, in conjunction with a qualified Ecologist.

Hornshay Farm - Before and After

Winner: Best Change of Use of an Existing Building or Conversion

After: This conversion achieved the requirement to produce completed buildings that retained their historical features within the imposed ecological and planning restraints. The first barn was sold ‘off plan’ to someone who had the vision to see what could be achieved and was completed to the clients' requirements and within budget. Many design features lend themselves to low energy and life cycle costs including Air Source Heat Pumps, LED lighting plus Argon filled double glazing. A wood burning stove adds to lower carbon output. In addition, approximately 60% of the existing roof tiles were saved from the barns roofs.

Wilfred Road - New Homes Development

GTH obtained detailed planning and building regulations approval for a scheme of 21 dwellings in this residential area of Taunton. The site layout is dictated by the established pattern of residential properties which predominantly consists of houses located on the edge of the road frontage. To reflect this, 11 of the proposed houses front Wilfred Road with enclosed gardens to the rear. The remaining properties are located in depth within the site positioned close to the eastern and western boundaries. A communal access and parking area is provided with vehicular access located centrally within the site frontage.

Wilfred Road - New Homes Development

The development included the demolition of redundant commercial buildings on the site. Following detailed pre-application discussions with the local authority planning department, the loss of the existing commercial buildings was considered acceptable in principle and the site was considered a sustainable location for residential development. GTH were also involved in the land acquisition for the developer and the sale of the 21 dwellings once complete.

Williton Rectory - Bath and Wells Diocese

The project was overseen from inception through to completion by Nick Ratcliff RIBA, architect with GTH's Land & Planning Division for the Bath and Wells Diocese. Detailed discussions with the local planning authority resulted in a rectory designed to blend in with neighbouring buildings. Natural stone sourced from a nearby quarry and rendered elevations have helped to achieve this.

The incumbent Rev Clive Gilbert is delighted with his new home, which replaces an unsuitable and dated house. A better layout for visitors to the house for pastoral meetings and a much higher energy rating and low maintenance costs are aims of the modern day church and these have been achieved.

Williton Rectory - Bath and Wells Diocese

The Diocesan surveyor Paul Toseland said: “It is a property which enhances the approach to the village. The present incumbent Clive Gilbert has been in residence since 2011 in a cramped house with poor study facilities and has had to hold many parish meetings in his sitting room due to lack of facilities. This should make his life and his successors much easier and shows a long term commitment by the Diocese to provide ministry to people of this recently formed Benefice.”

Development Land & Planning

Our Services

Project Valuations

Planning Consultancy

Listed Buildings

Strategic Land

New Homes

Marketing

Drawing & Design

Building & Construction

Case Studies

Hornshay Farm - Before and After

Hornshay Farm - Before and After

Wilfred Road - New Homes Development

Wilfred Road - New Homes Development

Williton Rectory - Bath and Wells Diocese

Williton Rectory - Bath and Wells Diocese