Specialisms
Our dedicated team has a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of local policies and the national canvas of planning. We deliver specialist planning advice for a range of specialisms across utilities, infrastructure and renewable projects.
Prism Planning have a proven record of providing robust solutions to secure successful outcomes, delivering planning compliance for a number of complex projects.
Biodiversity Net Gain
Many developers are just being introduced to the challenges of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and those that haven’t come across it will inevitably do so in their next schemes.
Improving biodiversity is a simple concept which has had support in national and local policies for some time. However, as a concept it's now got real ‘teeth’ thanks to new legal provisions. Most forms of development carried out from November 2023 will have to demonstrate a minimum uplift in the biodiversity value of the site after their development. Without proper thought this can be confusing, costly and challenging, but it’s a challenge we must all rise to if we are going to carry out development.
Here at Prism Planning we have been working on this subject for quite a while and with our ecology and landscape partners can usually craft solutions that enable development to go ahead. BNG shouldn’t be a surprise to you and it shouldn’t crop up as an expensive afterthought that’s difficult to achieve. At Prism Planning, we are mindful of the challenge it poses and build it into the project from day one.
Contact Prism Planning to discuss Biodiversity Net Gain.
Nitrate and Phosphate Neutrality
Nitrate and Phosphate Neutrality is a significant environmental issue affecting a large number of Local Planning Authorities, with a particular local impact on and around the Tees Valley where it has brought the construction of thousands of homes to a halt.
In simple terms, all forms of residential development, all tourism development involving overnight stays and many forms of equine and farming development involving livestock in affected areas are ‘on hold’ unless the development can be proven to be nitrate or phosphate ‘neutral’. This might involve specific on-site mitigation, carefully designed or seeking to purchase ‘credits’ from mitigation schemes administered by Natural England at the developers cost.
Poor water quality is a major issue across England, and it is more important than ever that development proposals in high nutrient catchments demonstrate how they will achieve nutrient neutrality.
A careful approach is required involving modelling of the nitrates carried out using specialist software, as well as an understanding of when, how and at what cost off-site mitigation might be available. This is a new burden on the development sector and one which is having a significant impact upon developments in affected areas.
The advice surrounding Nitrate Neutrality is relatively new to many authorities, leading to a halt on issuing decisions while solutions are formulated.
Prism Planning have been successful in both designing mitigation schemes, carrying out assessments and obtaining credits for clients to help development proceed. If you are affected by this, don’t delay. Talk to the experts to see if we can help.
Contact Prism Planning to discuss Nitrate Neutrality.
Anaerobic Digestion
Prism Planning is one of the country’s leading practitioners and acknowledged experts in the field of anaerobic digestion. Our knowledgeable team are widely regarded as experts for submitting planning applications for anaerobic digestion plants, which can play a significant role in supporting the country's energy security - whether they be producing gas for our heating or electricity for lighting our homes. It’s the only form of renewable energy that works 24/7, regardless of rain or shine. It often also makes beneficial use of waste - a win-win!
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a specialist form of renewable energy generation which few planning consultancies have any real experience of. Here at Prism we have a substantial pedigree of bringing forward AD schemes around the country, from small scale single tank ‘on farm’ schemes up to multiple tanked systems dealing with a variety of feedstocks and waste.
If you are looking for planning support for your AD project, you may well already appreciate we have worked with specialist funders and have a network of specialist support consultancies who can help you get your project approved and out of the ground as quickly as possible to lock in the best Feed in Tariff.
Contact Prism Planning to discuss Anaerobic Digestion.
Environmental Impact Assessment
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) identifies the effects on a development on the environment, highlighting implications for natural habitats, surrounding communities and wider area ecosystems.
EIAs can be a demanding and technically complex aspect of any development project. Our focus at Prism Planning is to provide robust and detailed documentation to strengthen the prospect of securing consent and meeting sustainable development objectives.
Our in-house environmental expertise makes us well positioned to take on the production of an Environmental Statement at the lowest cost to the developer. Our team has an in-depth understanding of environmental jurisdiction across many different planning authorities. We have provided Environmental Statements for a diverse range of development projects, working with a range of specialists to deliver a successful outcome.
Contact Prism Planning to discuss Environmental Impact Assessments.
Renewable Energy
As the UK’s mission to create sustainable societies with a net-zero carbon future continues to accelerate, integrating renewable energy sources has never been more important.
Securing planning permission for renewable energy projects requires in-depth understanding of planning law and the nuances of the renewables sector. Prism Planning has specialist experience in helping clients gain planning consent for a wide range of renewable energy schemes.
We have significant success making renewable energy projects a reality to develop resilient plans with high levels of sustainability.
Contact Prism Planning to discuss Renewable Energy.