ABL Planning & Development

10/04/2026

Believe it or not, it is not often we get a thank you card from a client so this was a nice surprise after all our hard work securing numerous permissions at their commercial premises

31/03/2026

A delayed post but great to secure LBC for works to a Grade II LB in Cheshire. As a result of the proposed works, a retail unit will be able to be occupied on one of the Towns main high street, bring a vacant property back into use - a great public benefit.

23/03/2026

If at first you don't succeed, try and try...and try and try again...Stage 1 PIP approved for residential dwelling in Cheshire

11/03/2026

Friday 20th March, ABL Planning & Development will be presenting our business bulletin at our Cheshire Online network meeting, part of Network IN. So, if you want to come and see what online networking is all about and understand a bit more about us and what we do, come along a join us

10/03/2026

I've been running ABL Planning & Development for 6 years. I'm a Chartered town planner, with 15 years' experience across public and private sectors, based in and around the North West.

Those 15 years have taught me what matters most to my clients:

Being honest with you — even when the answer isn't what you want to hear.

I've told clients their scheme won't work. I've walked away from instructions where the red flags were waving. I've had people come back to me two years later saying, "You were right." — I didn't rub it in.

I don't do sugar-coating. I don't do telling you what you want to hear and I definitely don't work with people where the chemistry isn't right between us — nothing personal, but life's too short and well lets be honest, the planning system is complicated enough.

What I do: planning applications, appeals, advising on alleged breaches of planning control, objections (yes - objections), and navigating complex or sensitive sites — for individuals, businesses, and developers who want straight-talking advice and someone who'll fight their corner properly. I work particularly well alongside architects and surveyors who value a planning consultant who won't hold up their projects.

If that sounds like your kind of consultant, I'm not hard to find. [email protected]

and yes - the scale rule isn't just a prop - it does come out every now and then.

📞 07762 627 861 or DM me here.

06/03/2026

Fab end to the week. We have just secured permission for the creation of two new planning units within Use Class E (g) (ii) and (iii), within an existing building along with associated works in Salford. The development will bring underused industrial space into productive use. Moreover, these units will be great for start ups in the area.

A big thank you to Phil Hopkins of studioPH Architecture and our clients at Absolute Drainage for their support with the application.

17/02/2026

As of the 1st April, the way in which written rep appeals will be being considered by PINs is changing. This is not an April fool. Moving forward, appellants will not be able to submit new information to over come reasons for refusal.

What does that mean for applicants?

Well, planning applications are going to have to be robust and essentially appeal ready. If you are about to submit an application and think you may need professional planning advice, please feel free to get in touch via our website www.ablplanning.co.uk

23/01/2026

This morning, I attended my regular Networking group and was asked to present a minute message as to why ABL Planning & Development should be referral worthy.

Here is a very quick snap shot as to why you should think about using us as your planning consultant and why we keep getting repeat business from existing clients.

1. We are Chartered and a member of the RTPI.
2. We have experience in both the public sector as well as the private. Put simply, we know how the other side thinks.
3. Honesty - we are here to realistically manage client expectations. If we think you are on to a none starter, we will say.
4. We offer no guarantees of success. What we do guarantee is that we will fight tooth and nail for our clients.

I'm Rachael Evans and I'm the director of ABL Planning & Development. Visit our website www.ablplanning.co.uk to see what projects we have been working on as well as testimonials from our clients.

08/01/2026

A great start to the New Year with planning permission granted for the er****on of a garage for use in connection with an existing car sales and ancillary repair business.

02/01/2026

Happy New Year!

As we start this brand new year, I am sure many of you will be thinking about your development projects. Some of you may not be looking to develop but rather wish to object to a particular development in your area.

Not all projects require a planning consultant ( some people don't even know that Planning Consultants like us even exist).

Whatever your reason for engaging with the planning system, we have produced a ' How to Guide' which provides guidance on when you may or may not require a planning consultant as well as some 'Do's and Don'ts' when thinking about instructing a consultant.

Our handy guide can be found and downloaded for free on our FAQ's page on our website

Have a question relating to a planning application? Get answers to commonly asked questions here.

23/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we have taken a bit of a pause to reflect on the projects we have been involved with over the past year.

We have had some fantastic wins for our clients, both locally and at appeal. We have alsp been able to support a number of Architects secure planning permission for their schemes/clients as well which, is just amazing.

We have some exciting projects in the pipeline for 2026 and we look forward to sharing details of these very soon.

Planning remains to be challenging and 2026 is likely to see some big changes with the introduction of a new NPPF. We are also likely to see a new BNG exemption for small sites ....lets hope this comes off sooner rather than later.
Keep an eye out on our insights page on our website ablplanning.co.uk for updates.

We would like to wish our colleagues and clients a very Merry Christmas.

ABL Planning are independent Planning Consultants in Cheshire offering expert planning advice on all aspect of town planning for commercial and residential property.