Working together to navigate a complex planning system

Planning can be complex, nuanced, and at times frustrating, particularly for larger or more detailed projects. At Planning Portal, we provide guidance to help applicants understand and navigate the process, but we recognise that guidance alone isn’t always enough. Specialist planning and design support can make a real difference – that’s why we work with partners who can offer more hands-on support across projects where it’s needed.

Homz is one of those trusted partners.

Understanding the reality of planning

Homz work with homeowners, developers, and commercial clients across a wide range of projects, from straightforward extensions to more complex schemes.

One of the reasons they stand out is their understanding of how planning works in the real world – not just in policy documents -with many years in planning and design. That experience gives them a practical view of the system: where things can slow down, where clarity is needed, and how to navigate different local authority approaches. Their role is not just to assist with planning, but to give clients a bespoke design experience.

Supporting projects from idea to application

Homz provides support across the full planning journey. That means early-stage feasibility advice, design and drawing preparation, application submission, and ongoing support through to decision. By bringing these elements together under one roof, Homz helps reduce the friction that can come from managing multiple consultants or navigating the process alone.

How they can add value?

• In-house architects and planners working alongside each other to ensure projects are well-designed, spatially efficient, and aligned with planning criteria from the outset
• A design team with extensive residential and commercial experience, helping clients make the best use of their space before an application is submitted
• A planning team with nationwide comprehensive UK Planning expertise, tailoring clients’ proposals to local planning restrictions and policies to ensure that the application aligns with the council’s codes
• An established network of vetted specialist consultants – including heritage consultants, flood risk consultants and noise and transport assessors – who can be assigned to a project as needed
• End-to-end coordination, so clients have the right expertise at every stage without having to source or manage it themselves

This integrated approach can help reduce the likelihood of delays or invalid submissions, improve the quality of information provided, and support more efficient decision-making – at a time when local planning authorities are under increasing pressure.

A more joined-up approach

There’s no single solution to the challenges facing the planning system. But one thing that can make a genuine difference is reducing the distance between the different kinds of support people need – information, expertise, and process – so they work together rather than in parallel. By partnering with organisations like Homz, we’re aiming to provide a more joined-up experience for those navigating planning, and to support better outcomes for applicants, local authorities, and communities alike.