Business Details
31 Years
experience
Award-Winning Planning & Architectural Services in Surrey, London & Kent
We are an award-winning planning and architecture practice with over 30 years of experience delivering high-quality design solutions across the UK. Our in-house teams of chartered architects, planners, and technical specialists collaborate to provide end-to-end services from concept design to planning approval and technical delivery. Our unique four-stage planning and design process, adapted from the RIBA Plan of Work, ensures clarity and efficiency while maximising the likelihood of planning success.We specialise in residential and commercial developments, heritage consultancy, and biodiversity net gain assessments, serving private individuals, developers, and local authorities. Our commitment to sustainability, client collaboration, and technical excellence has established us as a trusted partner in shaping the built environment.
Services
Planning Applications
Architectural Design
Heritage Consultancy
Biodiversity Assessments
Ecology Surveys
Flood Risk Analysis
Building Regulations
Design Briefs
Conservation Areas
Commercial Developments
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 30 years of proven expertise in planning and architectural design
- Our in-house teams provide seamless collaboration between planning and architecture
- We follow a unique four-stage planning process aligned with RIBA standards
- Our heritage consultancy specialises in listed buildings and conservation areas
- We provide end-to-end project management from concept to completion
Services
Planning Applications
We prepare and submit comprehensive planning applications for residential and commercial developments. Our team navigates local authority requirements, addresses site constraints, and ensures compliance with national planning policies. We specialise in major developments (10+ dwellings or 0.5ha+), householder extensions, and certificates of lawful development, with typical determination periods of 8-13 weeks.
Architectural Design
Our chartered architects deliver full architectural services from feasibility studies to building regulations. We create detailed drawings, specifications, and 3D visualisations for new builds, extensions, and refurbishments. Our work integrates sustainability principles and meets current building standards while maintaining aesthetic and functional excellence across traditional and contemporary styles.
Heritage Consultancy
WS Heritage specialises in listed buildings, conservation areas, and scheduled monuments. We produce heritage impact assessments, statements of significance, and character appraisals. Our experts advise on planning applications affecting historic assets, provide de-listing strategies, and represent clients at planning appeals while maintaining compliance with heritage protection legislation.
Biodiversity Assessments
We conduct biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessments using statutory metrics to calculate habitat units. Our ecologists advise on habitat creation and enhancement strategies to achieve mandatory 10% biodiversity improvements. We prepare biodiversity gain plans and ensure compliance with local nature recovery strategies for residential and commercial developments.
Flood Risk Analysis
Our flood risk specialists assess all flooding sources including surface water, groundwater, and sewers. We prepare flood risk assessments for planning applications in high-risk areas, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure developments meet National Planning Policy Framework requirements for flood resilience and resistance throughout the project lifecycle.
People
Brian Woods
Founder and Managing Director
Brian founded WS Planning & Architecture and brings extensive industry experience. He oversees strategic direction while maintaining hands-on involvement in complex projects, ensuring the practice maintains its reputation for excellence in planning and architectural design.
Emily Munro
Planning Director
Emily leads the planning team with expertise in navigating complex planning systems. She specialises in securing permissions for challenging sites and has particular experience in conservation area developments and major housing schemes across the South East.
Jhonnatan Jaramillo
Architectural Director
Jhonnatan directs architectural projects with a focus on private sector developments. His expertise spans contemporary and traditional designs, with a particular emphasis on sustainable construction methods and achieving planning consent for complex sites.
Robin Segal
Business Development Manager
Robin manages client relationships and business growth strategies. He coordinates the Preferred Partners network and ensures seamless communication between clients and project teams throughout the planning and design process.
Spencer Copping
Managing Director
Spencer shares leadership responsibilities with Brian Woods. He focuses on operational efficiency and quality control across both planning and architectural services, ensuring consistent delivery of high-standard projects for public and private sector clients.
Questions
What planning services do you offer?
We provide full planning services including pre-application advice, planning applications, discharge of conditions, and appeals for residential and commercial developments across the UK.
Do you handle listed building projects?
Yes, our heritage consultancy WS Heritage specialises in listed buildings, conservation areas, and scheduled monuments with expert advice on planning applications and heritage impact assessments.
How long does the planning process take?
Householder applications typically take 8 weeks, major applications (10+ dwellings) take 13 weeks, with conditions applications requiring up to 8 weeks for determination.
What architectural services do you provide?
We offer full architectural services from feasibility studies to building regulations, including design proposals, technical drawings, and contract administration for new builds and extensions.
Do you work with other professionals?
Yes, our Preferred Partners network includes ecologists, arboriculturists, and engineers who collaborate on projects to address technical constraints and ensure successful planning outcomes.
Can you help with biodiversity net gain?
Our ecologists conduct BNG assessments using statutory metrics and develop habitat creation strategies to achieve mandatory 10% biodiversity improvements for development projects.
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