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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Very happy process was made simple and…
Very happy process was made simple and explained well. Would use again
20 mei 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Natalie, thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and sharing your feedback on your experience.
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 if there is anything else we can help with, just let us know, and we'll be glad to help.
Ended up in court over unexpected additional charges
My experience with Planning By Design was extremely disappointing and ultimately ended in court proceedings, where the claim against me was dismissed.
I instructed the company on the basis of a fixed fee of £3,960 for a full end-to-end design and planning submission service. Initially, things appeared positive, however serious issues arose later in the process.
After the planning submission had already been made and following issues with the application, I was suddenly presented with significant additional cost demands that had never previously been explained or agreed. These included hundreds of pounds in further charges relating to items within the design statement and additional submission requirements.
What I found most concerning was that these costs were only raised after the submission had already been made and after I began chasing for progress and resubmission. At no point beforehand was I warned that such substantial extra charges would arise.
When I challenged these costs, communication from the owner became increasingly difficult and confrontational. I was effectively told that no further work would continue unless the additional payments were made, or alternatively I would need to pay separately for the design rights. After months invested into the project, this left me feeling backed into a corner with little practical option but to walk away and appoint a completely new architect at further expense.
The company later pursued legal action against me for the original £3,960 fee. The matter proceeded to court and the claim was dismissed. The court also awarded me costs for travel expenses and loss of earnings.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise anyone considering using this company to ensure every aspect of scope, revisions, deliverables, and especially additional charges are fully documented and agreed in writing before proceeding.
21 mei 2025
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
We strongly dispute this review because it omits key documented facts.
The court proceedings only arose after the reviewer obtained a chargeback of the original £3,960 fee despite having repeatedly approved the drawings and planning documents in writing, authorised submission of the application, and then paid the planning application fee after submission.
This was not an undefined or open-ended instruction. The fixed-fee contract covered the specific project components listed in the signed invoice. The contract also included one free revision. In practice, the project involved approximately 15 revision events, numerous further design changes, and later-added components outside the original quoted scope, including detailed solar-panel and air-source heat-pump proposals. Despite that, substantial further work was carried out.
The review also omits the repeated written approvals given during the project. By way of example, the reviewer described the drawings as “stunning”, said they were “absolutely delighted”, approved the drawings for submission, later said “It’s perfect”, then approved the planning statement and instructed us to proceed with submission. The application was then submitted on that authority, and the application fee was paid.
The later local authority invalidation did not arise from one single “obvious” omission of the kind suggested here. The invalidation letter required multiple further items, and the local authority’s own validation requirements are not as absolute as this review suggests. The dispute arose because additional work and further revisions were then requested outside the original agreed scope, the reviewer refused to pay for that further work, and a chargeback was made after the original contracted work had already been delivered and submitted.
As for the court case, the claim was dismissed, but that does not mean every factual allegation in this review was accepted as correct. The decision turned significantly on procedural and evidential issues, including the absence of a live factual witness for the claimant. We are taking advice on next steps and intend to pursue the matter in court via an appeal.
We are happy for prospective clients to judge us by the documentary record: signed scope, written approvals, written authority to submit, and confirmation of payment after submission.
We chose planning-by-design.co.uk� to…
We chose planning-by-design.co.uk� to help with planning permission for a garage conversion to change it into a childminding setting.
When I first spoke to them over the phone, they were very helpful and put me at ease, as we were unsure how the planning permission process worked. Unfortunately, we were led to believe the process would be very quick and that planning approval would likely be granted within a few weeks. This wasn’t the case, and I felt slightly misled as the process took the best part of six months.
We worked with Aaron Basi, who I found to be professional, knowledgeable, and helpful throughout. He was always supportive when dealing with Somerset Council, which was probably the biggest challenge due to communication delays.
The architectural drawings for the garage also took longer than expected. We were initially informed they would be produced within a week, but unfortunately this overran slightly.
Overall, I found Planning By Design to be very good. Although a few aspects of the process were frustrating, the end result was positive, and we successfully received planning permission. I would potentially use them again for future projects.
Just to add to the response below, payment for the parking document was made on the 17th April. Unfortunately, your architect forgot to attach the drawings we were meant to mark up, which then caused a further delay of around 3 days.
The document was then only sent to the council by Aaron Basi on the 7th May. This was around 20 days later and, in our opinion, something that should have been dealt with much quicker on your part.
And you quoted 7 days for the draft and another 7 days so should taken 14 days in total.
So in terms of your own work you didn't act quickly
19 mei 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Joel,
Thank you for your review. We’re pleased to hear that you found Aaron professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout, and we’re delighted that your planning application was ultimately approved.
We’re sorry that the overall process felt longer than expected. It is important to clarify, however, that the main delay was with the local planning authority rather than with our team. Many councils are currently experiencing backlogs and communication delays, and unfortunately, these timescales are outside of our control.
In terms of our own work, we acted very quickly. Your brief was received on 21 November, the drawings were issued just three days later and approved the same day, the planning statement was issued three days after that, and the application was submitted as soon as the statement was approved. From our side, the design and submission process was completed as promptly as realistically possible.
We’re grateful for your feedback and pleased that the end result was successful.
Fab!!
The team were all really helpful from start to finish. Thank you!
14 mei 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.
I am at my second project with Planing…
I am at my second project with Planing by design. I haven’t had any issues. At my first project was helped by Abigail and my second one, that just started, I am helped by Kim. They have replied to my emails very quickly and answered promptly every time I contacted them. So definitely my next projects will be with them.
12 mei 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Alice, thank you for choosing Planning By Design and for sharing a review of your experience.
We are delighted to have helped you secure 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.
Of course, we're also delighted to assist you with your second and future projects, too.
Excellent service provided
Excellent service provided. Very quick and thorough and extremely professional. Even though it is not cheap, you get what you pay for and my application for a dropped kerb went through without a hitch. Highly recommend
12 februari 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.
A highly efficient team
A highly efficient team. We recommend PBD to all our clients needing assistance with planning. They have the best rates and turnaround times we’ve ever seen.
6 mei 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 look forward to continuing to support you and your clients.
I contacted Planning by design and was…
I contacted Planning by design and was pleased to receive a very helpful member of staff,
When asked for an assessment I was told I need to pay £120, which I did and I gave them a description of what I needed and a written plan of what was required. They responded with a quote When I noticed that everything on my list wasn’t included in the quote I asked why and they said I had not mentioned them even though they had a written statement of my requirements.
They said I needed to pay another £120 for another assessment which I did. This time I went through the list verbally to confirm they understood.
All this going on with lots of emails and telephone calls not being answered,
Eventually after 9 days of this drama I received another quote that still did not include 1 element. I then received another quote which was okay but asked for elevation,block plans and site location plans.
I had already sent the architects plans for this development in my first email although this request was not included in the 2 previous quotes it appeared now.The price including the newly required plans tripled the original price.
I am not happy at all either their service and would recommend that you study very carefully every part of their quotation. As for communication “forget it”
When contacting another planning company, I was given a fixed price within 48 hours which was approximately this company’s original price before all the add on bits
22 april 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Bill, we’re sorry to read this.
To clarify for anyone reading, the original quote was based on the planning elements only and on the understanding that existing drawings from your previous archtitect could be used, subject to the necessary copyright consent. That quote therefore did not include a new measured survey or the preparation of new architectural drawings.
When you requested a quote to include the architectural design, including survey work, elevations, floor plans, block plans and a site location plan, a revised quote was issued to reflect that wider scope of work.
This was therefore not a like-for-like increase for the same service, but a revised quote for additional design and drawing work alongside the planning application package.
Every quote includes a price match guarantee where we will beat any like for liek quote as you know so regardless whether you decide to go for "Planning Only" Or "Planning & Design" we guarantee to be the cheapest, and on top of that, you get the planning appraisal fee refunded too.
We do appreciate that the process has clearly caused frustration, and we are sorry for that; however, each quote has been exactly what you requested and reflected the exact requirements for each. We will contact you directly to try to resolve matters and answer any outstanding points.
I had a great experience working with Planning By Design(specifically with Mislav) on my outbuilding planning application. From the beginning, they were professional and knowledgeable,
From the beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and very responsive. My case wasn’t straightforward, and after facing some challenges initially, they stepped in and handled everything with confidence and clarity.
Thanks to their expertise and persistence, my outbuilding application has now been successfully approved. I’m genuinely grateful for their support and would highly recommend Planning By Design to anyone needing help with planning applications, especially in more complex situations.
20 april 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Eneas, 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.
AVOID - Taking me to Court
AVOID - TAKING ME TOO COURT
My planning application prepared by this company was rejected by the council. They then quoted me £840 to handle the appeal, which I felt was excessive. I chose to complete the appeal myself, which took less than half a day.
My appeal was successful.
Following this, the company director contacted me requesting payment and claiming copyright over the planning drawings & docs that I had already paid for. They stated the drawings & docs could only be used for the original application and not for an appeal unless I paid them to do it. They’ve sighted the contract which says it’s their intellectual property but nothing in there states I cannot use documents for an appeal on the same planning application nor associated fees for doing so…
I have now been told I have 7 days to pay £840 or they will issue a formal Letter Before Claim without further notice.
It makes no difference to this company whether the appeal that I completed myself was successful not. Seems the business is using this as an opportunity to apply pressure and cash in…
EDIT: I have this morning received an email stating they intend to take me to court. I can see from other reviews they have taken other customers to court and LOST!
13 april 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
We are sorry to read this review, but we do not agree with its characterisation.
The original instruction and fee in this case related to the preparation and management of a single householder planning application. It did not include appeal services. Our signed terms also made clear that intellectual property in the drawings and written planning material remained with Planning By Design, that only a limited-use licence was granted, and that any further use outside the agreed scope required our prior agreement and consent.
An appeal is a separate stage. A separate quote was requested for that stage and was provided. That quote was not accepted. Our concern is not that the appeal was completed without our assistance, but that our drawings and/or written material were then reused outside the original agreed scope and without consent.
We appreciate that legal and contractual disputes are not ideal to discuss in public, so we will keep this reply brief. Our position has been explained directly and clearly in writing, and we remain satisfied that it is properly grounded in the signed agreement and the surrounding correspondence.
Feasibility Study
Feasibility Study
I asked Planning by Design for a feasibility study concerning turning my garage into a bedroom. I had 2 phone calls about this and they produced a very detailed, professional report. I have since decided not to proceed with the project so cannot comment any further.
17 maart 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Thank you so much for choosing Planning By Design and for your kind words.
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.
Fantastic advise from start to finish
Fantastic advise from start to finish. The whole process was very professional and fully supportive in every aspect. We are delighted to have been granted full planning permission. Big thank you to all the Planning By Design team that worked on our application. I would highly recommend if your looking for planning permission.
30 maart 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Robert, 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.
Use if you have deep pockets and happy to be overcharged at every opportunity
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 read the negative reviews before going ahead with them, but didn’t think it would happen to me, so more fool me I guess.
2 maart 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you feel this way.
At Planning By Design, we provide fixed-price quotations, a price match guarantee, and a clear breakdown of the services included before any payment is made, so clients can decide whether or not they wish to proceed. We only carry out the work that has been agreed and paid for, and we always aim to be transparent about this from the outset.
We cannot identify your matter from this review, and we have not received any prior complaint from you directly. We would genuinely welcome the opportunity to understand your concerns and review the position properly.
Please contact us directly with your name, property address, or invoice reference so we can investigate and try to help.
Amazing first time planning experience!
Amazing first time experience with going through the whole planning process. The dedicated planner provided a feasibility report and then discussed the whole planning process with me. I asked several questions, as it was my first time, and they were all satisfactorily answered. Thoroughly impressed by their professional and transparent approach. Will recommend to anyone who is new to the whole planning process, as it can be a minefield to navigate it alone.
18 maart 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Shehriyar, 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.
Planning Permission
It was my first ever experience of getting a planning permission from the council and working with Planning By Design was a great learning curve. I found the team to be very professional, responsive and knowledgeable, they are thorough in their research and proposing the right solution. The response time is quick so you are not sitting and waiting for a response to your query. My experience with them was great - start to finish, glad I used their services and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
16 maart 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Tauseef, 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.
Do not go near them
Promised everything that i wanted but it all changed once they have the money.
They made a mistake which added to planning being understandably refused and then expected further payment to review and continue. They will probably come on the back of this saying that they are as upset as i am about the planning being rejected, well i am not as upset about that as i am about the quality of the work, the poor communication and exceptionally bad customer service, especially from the managing director who attempts to patronise and intimidate once you complain.
I take it as a learning experience and accept the vast amount of money lost to this company but all i can pass on to anyone thinking of using them is, be prepared to complete the plans yourself, if you are completely confident that you know what you doing then they’ve will complete the paperwork for you, if you need any help with the base plans or are not sure if the planning will pass straight away then this company is not for you no matter what they promise you.
In response to their reply i just want to assure anyone reading this that the one major block to the planning other than the standard was that the authority wanted the drive to be half a meter longer, which there was space for. this is the kind of help that i specifically asked for during the sales process and not something that i would be able to spot when i agreed to the plans, trusting them on completing the plans correctly was an expensive mistake on my part. they did then offer a review after the fact but expected me to pay for the review even though they were as culpable as i. i have also had an email after this review threatening legal action should i use the plans that they drew up on the back of my drawings, i’ve seen this tactic used by them on other reviews so i confirm that this is something that they do.
6 mei 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Thank you for updating your review. We again need to correct the record.
This proposal was never presented as guaranteed. Our planning appraisal expressly stated it had a fair chance of success and made clear that planning permission is not guaranteed and can only be decided by the local authority.
Your quote also made clear that we would only submit once you approved the drawings and supporting evidence, and your signed invoice confirms the agreed scope of work we delivered.
It is also wrong to suggest the council identified some fatal flaw. The Highway Officer stated there were no objections in principle to off-road parking/access at the site, but that the design and dimensions required amendment, and expressly confirmed that subject to some amendment Highways could support the proposal.
As for your comments about a later email regarding our drawings and reports, that was not a threat. It was a standard reminder of our contractual intellectual property rights, particularly where planning applications are public documents and the council’s response indicated that an amended scheme may be capable of support.
For transparency, the public application record can be viewed here:
https://publicaccess.newport.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=T3ICK9LCHXO00&activeTab=summary
Great experience working with Planning…
Great experience working with Planning By Design. Silas and his team helped me through the whole planning process to build flats above my commercial property. They were always supportive and never gave up on the project. Very reasonable fees as well. Really appreciate all their help.
9 maart 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Manjot, 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.
Professional, Patient, and Thorough
As someone completely new to the world of planning, I was initially overwhelmed and confused by the various requirements. However, Mark Reed at Planning By Design made the entire process incredibly easy to follow. He took the time to thoughtfully explain every procedure in full detail, ensuring I never felt lost.
The team is exceptionally customer-friendly and responsive. I now have full confidence that I made the right choice. If you want a team that combines technical expertise with great communication, look no further.
16 februari 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Krishna, 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.
Great friendly competent service
Great friendly competent service
27 februari 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Carol, 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.
This is the second time we’ve used…
This is the second time we’ve used Planning By Design, and once again they delivered excellent service.
They were professional, responsive, and clear throughout the process, keeping everything on track and handling all the details carefully. Thanks to their expertise, we obtained planning permission smoothly and without any issues.
We highly recommend them for reliable and efficient planning services.
27 februari 2026
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Planning By Design
Hi Kathy, thank you for choosing Planning By Design again and for your kind words, its 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.
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