Helpful and professional. Just what we needed when our drive contractor gave us bad and incorrect advice. The council have not been great either and PBD will be helping us with their demands too.
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They overcharge and add on extras at ridiculous prices when they think you have no choice but to pay. Frustrating to work with, caused delay because they couldn’t understand some basic things. I did r... Toon meer
Bedrijf heeft geantwoord
Planning by design did a fantastic job for me so far. They are a very professional team and highly competitive in price, work experience and ethics. They don’t take no for an answer they follow up the... Toon meer
Bedrijf heeft geantwoord
Great service made every thing so easy, explained all the aspects of the planning in language we could understand really good and friendly staff Joanne and Aaron couldn't do enough. the case they buil... Toon meer
Bedrijf heeft geantwoord
4,3
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309 reviews
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SERVICE NOT AS DESCRIBED / BREACH OF…
SERVICE NOT AS DESCRIBED / BREACH OF CONTRACT.
Gave an initial price 9 months prior to instructing, then when ready to proceed was advised price may change then sent over initial costing (of 9 months earlier) Paid and instructed on this basis. This was an all inclusive price to include drawings for car parking / bins and bikes. Also put in 2 further applciations for exactly the same. was advised the 2 new properties would be £600.00 + vat more expensive as their policies had changed. received drawings for first property - bike storage put where I had said I did not want. Second attempt, put bike storage in front of the front door of the property . wrong type of storage used, as advised by the initial planner, this would not be accepted by the council. I had always requested that I wanted the storage in the back garden. Now I told this was not possible and would be rejected. Also advised by them that as it was not a big issue as I had said it would really be used by the tenants, they suggested to proceed without and can always add back if necessary. went ahead with their recommendations. Asked why the other 2 were more expensive then told had to pay for it if I wanted it included in the first cheaper design. had 2 amendments already so I would now be charged more to amend again. Other 2 properties - next to each other. Had initial discussion, and work commenced. I then found out info from the council regarding an emerging policy which would mean they do not adhere to the emerging policy ruling - ie properties being too close together ie next door and not 25 meters apart. Called to clarify and request why was this not bought to my attention. Advised it was not clearly presented within the Councils adopted local plan material and was difficult to identify . May mean both applications are incapable of succeeding,. My point exactly, why was this never mentioned in our discussions until i bought it up. I have written in a complaint letter only to be told after waiting their obligatory 30 day waiting period that they refuse to refund,am I paying the extra or do I want to submit as they stand. This letter was also only received 3 weeks after the 30 day waiting period. - I paid £6480.00 and have had nothing but demands for extra payments on top , and I received professional negligence and breach of contract on top. Now in the hands of the banks for 100% charge back. Not sure what date to put as date of experience as it started initially in November 25, but instruced ion 11th June 26. so putting today as only just received back complaint response.
23 september 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
We are disappointed that matters have ended this way, but your review contains a number of serious allegations which do not accurately reflect the documented project history.
Firstly, these were retrospective planning matters. Planning By Design was engaged to assist with HMO uses that were already in existence before we became involved. We did not create the underlying planning position requiring retrospective applications.
Secondly, the allegation that an “all inclusive” price was later changed is not supported by the signed contracts. For the first property, the invoice expressly recorded that no additional 2D drawings were included. For the later properties, parking, cycle-storage and waste-storage drawings were specifically identified and priced before you signed and paid. Our terms also make clear that one revision is included and that changes to the brief, new requirements and further revisions are additional work.
The project record shows multiple further instructions and design changes. Several drawing versions were prepared in response to your requests. In relation to cycle storage, different locations and options were considered; bicycle references were then removed at your request, before you later asked for cycle storage to be reintroduced in a different form and location.
Despite our contractual position, and purely to avoid further disagreement, we subsequently offered to absorb the cost of that specific further revision at 52 Salk Road without admission of liability. You chose instead to terminate our appointment and pursue chargebacks.
Your comments regarding emerging planning policy also require context. Our feasibility advice was based on the national and local policy position and information available at the time. The reports expressly state that advice may change if new information comes to light and that planning permission can never be guaranteed. When the emerging policy issue was later raised, it was reviewed and discussed. We did not advise that the applications were automatically incapable of succeeding or would inevitably be refused; our advice remained that the applications should be progressed and determined by the Council.
It is also incorrect to suggest the projects progressed without your agreement. Our records contain repeated written instructions, comments and approvals from you. Revised drawings were sent for review, amendments were made following your requests, and you expressly approved drawings and instructed us to proceed to the supporting planning statements.
The delay in progressing these applications did not arise because Planning By Design simply refused to act. Further progress depended on resolving changing instructions, additional work and ultimately the fee dispute.
We strongly reject the allegations of breach of contract and professional negligence. If chargebacks are pursued, we will respond through the appropriate banking process with the complete contemporaneous evidence, including signed contracts and terms, feasibility reports, project correspondence, design instructions, revisions, written approvals and records of the work completed.
As you have now terminated our appointment, no further work will be undertaken by Planning By Design.
For completeness, if your chargeback is unsuccessful, Planning By Design's existing contractual position will remain unchanged. As you have terminated our appointment, any further professional work would require a new instruction, quotation and payment before recommencement
We will not publish further private project correspondence here, but we believe the above provides important context for anyone reading this review.
Great experience with Planning By Design
Aaron was excellent helping us get planning approval, thank you.
26 mei 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Natalie, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application process.
If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.
Dreadful company
Dreadful company, no customer service whatsoever, extremely rude on the phone. No correspondence or communication, total waste of time and money
16 september 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Thank you for your review. We take genuine customer feedback seriously; however, we have no record of you being a customer of Planning By Design, nor can we identify any correspondence or telephone communication with you.
We are therefore unable to reconcile the allegations in this review with any interaction you have personally had with our company, and we have reported the review to Trustpilot for verification.
If you are posting on behalf of one of our clients, please provide the relevant client name or reference through Trustpilot’s verification process so that we can properly identify the matter and investigate it. We would ask that reviews accurately reflect the reviewer’s own dealings with our business.
They turned "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" into a symphony
Planning By Design are a brilliant team – I can’t praise them highly enough, both personally and for their meticulous, skilful work. I had no idea how wonderful they’d really be. I’d expected them to reproduce more or less what I’d sent (a sketch of a small piece of land, some photos, and my problem) and just put it into the necessary jargon. Boy oh boy, I couldn’t have been more wrong: it was like Mozart turning ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’ into a symphony. Planning By Design produced an awesome planning application that explained to the Council my problem in an excellent way, what laws support me in it, together with architectural maps and drawings. (I’m in an AONB, and didn’t want to risk possible objections & repercussions further down the line. Neighbours advised me just to go ahead without mentioning it to the Council because they’d almost certainly say no, but I’d have been living in a ticking timebomb!) Planning By Design have now sent me the Council’s thumbs up to go ahead. I’m on cloud nine. They’re a fantastic team – so professional, as well as patient and good-humoured, and know just what to do and how to do it. I’ll recommend them to anyone wanting to carry out works to their property with a peaceful mind rather than just hoping for the best!!!
10 september 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Lucy, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!!!
Your review is exactly the experience and level of service we strive to provide for all clients, and it's so rewarding for the whole team to hear such amazing feedback.
It's our pleasure to help, and we're thrilled to have helped you secure planning approval despite the constraints and challenges.
Of course, if you have any further questions or need anything in the future just let us know, and we'll be delighted to help.
We used PBD for our extension
We used PBD for our extension. They have been very thorough and have communicated very well. They have provided helpful feedback and advice along the way and have made the process very smooth. And question you have they are always there to help.
1 augustus 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi George, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application process.
If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.
Very professional and always available…
Very professional and always available to answer any queries
27 augustus 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Dan, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.
Arrogance and unwillingness to accept responsibility for mistakes
Errors in advice led to a refusal from the planning department; my complaint I was met with arrogance and a complete unwillingness to accept responsibility.
25 juli 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Margaret, we are sorry that you remain dissatisfied, but we do not believe this review fairly reflects the circumstances of your case.
Planning By Design was instructed to deal with an existing retrospective planning issue. The caravan had already been sited without planning permission before our involvement, and our advice was to seek a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use to establish the historic residential use before progressing an application for a replacement dwelling.
For this type of retrospective application, sufficient evidence of the historic use has to be provided, and it is ultimately for the Local Planning Authority to decide whether that evidence meets the required test. We prepared and submitted the application using the information and evidence made available to us, together with the drawings and supporting documents that you approved prior to submission. Unfortunately, the Council was not satisfied that the evidence sufficiently established the required history of residential use. We therefore do not accept the suggestion that incorrect advice from Planning By Design caused the refusal.
We take complaints seriously and will always acknowledge matters for which we are responsible. Equally, we cannot accept responsibility for the pre-existing retrospective planning position or for the Council's independent assessment of whether the evidence provided was sufficient.
Helpful and professional
Helpful and professional. Just what we needed when our drive contractor gave us bad and incorrect advice. The council have not been great either and PBD will be helping us with their demands too.
22 augustus 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Sharon, thanks for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing your feedback.
Unfortunately, you are not alone in your predicament; around 20% of our applications are retrospective, usually following poor advice from someone who is not qualified as a town planner and is not liable for any enforcement issues.
We are glad the planning appraisal was helpful, and we'll be happy to help with a retrospective planning application and liaise with the enforcement officer on your behalf if required.
If you have any further questions or wish to proceed with a retrospective application just let us know and we'll be happy to help.
Great service!
This is our first big home project and we had no clue where to start, or of the process. PBD helped us from the beginning to do the neccessary checks that what we wanted to do was possible, did our drawings and plans for us, and even did the application to the council which went on to get accepted first time. The whole process was made to feel 'smooth' and took all stress away from us, knowing that all steps were being undertaken in the right way which was what ultimately led to our application getting accepted so quickly as they did everything to the correct requirements of our council. We would not hesitate to recommend on to others, and if we were to do any further projects we will be sure to use again. Thank you to all involved.
1 mei 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Amy, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application process.
If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.
I am very pleased with the professional…
I am very pleased with the professional service I received from Planning By Design. They managed my dropped kerb planning application efficiently and kept me informed throughout the process. Their knowledge, guidance and attention to detail made everything straightforward and stress-free. Most importantly, my application was approved. I would happily recommend Planning By Design to anyone seeking reliable and professional planning support.
13 augustus 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application process.
If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.
Superb company
Superb company, sorted all the drawings for my 3 new build dwellings, submitted them to the local council and got the planning consent with no problems.
I would highly recommend this company.
7 augustus 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Paul, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval for your 3 new dwellings.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Planning by design did a fantastic job…
Planning by design did a fantastic job for me so far. They are a very professional team and highly competitive in price, work experience and ethics. They don’t take no for an answer they follow up the case on a personal level and make sure they get the best result for the client. I strongly recommend planning by design for all and surely will use them again for any of my future work. Thank you all and especially Kim.
29 juli 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Maher, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Fantastic result
Fantastic result, planning by design did a wonderful job , mark Read and his team are a credit to their profession, always ready to listen and answer any questions, would highly recommend
Les
23 juli 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Les, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
We're delighted to have helped you secure retrospective planning approval.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Great service good and friendly staff
Great service made every thing so easy, explained all the aspects of the planning in language we could understand really good and friendly staff Joanne and Aaron couldn't do enough. the case they built and presented to Leeds Council was exemplary would highly recommend Christine and John
20 juli 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi John & Christine, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
We're delighted to have helped you secure retrospective planning approval.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Positive review
Kim Crisp was extremely clear, helpful and efficient. The Feasibility Report was very good, and I was very pleased.
9 juni 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi John, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Solar Panels on a Grade 2 Listed Church
Our church which is a Grade 2 listed building wanted to install solar panels to help run our new electric heating system. Salford Council would not allow us to put in a planning application on our own, it had to be a professional company.
We chose Planning-by-Design after getting a number of quotes and they really helped us get through the planning red tape.
The council initially refused the application but we won the appeal. Then it had certain conditions and again we were helped by Cerys, the Town Planner in the company. I think it helped to have this type of person to deal with rather than an architect.
I would recommend them to you.
4 juli 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Clive, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval despite the very challenging nature.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Thorough knowledge of planning and…
Thorough knowledge of planning and takes the burden away from doing it independently, which can take months!
12 juni 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Amy, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help with anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to help.
We had a retrospective planning…
We had a retrospective planning application through Planning by Design. Couldn’t thank them enough for their help guidance and professional application which was successful. Highly recommended.
3 juni 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Simon, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again, and for your kind words; it really means a lot to us.
We're delighted to have helped you secure planning approval following a smooth application process, especially as this was retrospective and approval can never be guaranteed.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
If you have any questions or need help in the future, just let us know, and we'll be happy to assist.
Everyone I have spoke to has been very…
Everyone I have spoke to has been very lovely and helpful and offer great advice and knowledge!
3 juni 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Freya, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.
It is always our goal to provide a 5* service at unbeatable prices, and feedback like this is rewarding and motivating for our whole team.
Of course, if you have any further questions or need help with anything else, just let us know, and we'll be glad to help.
Extremely disappointed with the service…
Extremely disappointed with the service provided by Planning By Design.
I paid for professional planning services expecting expert advice, accurate preparation of my application and proactive management of the process. Instead, I have experienced months of delays, poor communication and issues that, in my view, stem from errors in the original application preparation.
A major concern is that the red line boundary submitted with my application was later described by the ecologist as unnecessarily large and needing to be reduced. This has caused significant delays, additional costs and complications with ecology and biodiversity requirements. I was also not advised to obtain a BNG/ecology survey until months after payment had been made, resulting in further avoidable delays.
What I find particularly unacceptable is that changes now required to reduce and correct the red line boundary are being treated as additional chargeable revisions. In my opinion, these are not changes I have requested but corrections to issues that should have been identified and addressed correctly from the outset. Despite this, I am now being asked to pay further fees to rectify problems that appear to have originated from the original work.
As a result of these issues, I have formally requested a refund or partial refund and submitted a detailed complaint outlining my concerns. I requested a response within 7 days, but it has now been 10 days and I have received no response whatsoever. I am currently trying to recover some of the money I paid for a service that, in my view, has fallen well below the standard I was entitled to expect.
To make matters worse, attempts to contact the company by phone have been unsuccessful, leaving me with no meaningful way to discuss or resolve the issues.
For a company charging professional fees, I expected a far higher standard of care, communication and accountability. The complete lack of response to a formal complaint is particularly concerning and has only reinforced my dissatisfaction with the service received.
Based on my experience, I would not recommend Planning By Design.
1 juni 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Thomas, you are not a client of Planning By Design and this review has been flagged to Truspilot.
If you are 3rd party and wish to discuss details of someone else's project our client must send in written consent to disclose details due to GDPR.
Furthermore, what you have alleged is completely false.
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