Planning Issues Ltd is a subsidiary Company of Churchill Retirement (Group) and is responsible for the planning and design function of the Company. The Company consists of Chartered Town Planners, RIBA Qualified Architects and Architectural Technicians and Affordable Housing experts,

Planning Issues is involved right from the start of the land buying process. The planning and design teams work closely with the land teams, in thoroughly researching the development prospects. This ensures that Churchill Retirement Living is in the best possible position to secure planning permission for the sites it purchases. The track record of Planning Issues is excellent and the majority of planning applications gain permission at first application. The Town Planners are highly experienced in both Local Government and the private sector and have a wealth of experience in sheltered housing for the elderly. Planning Issues has a proven track record of achieving excellent results at appeal.

To ensure the best possible case is put forward at appeal, the Company uses the services of Planning Lawyers, Shoosmiths, www.shoosmiths.co.uk ,an established and reputable national legal firm. Counsel for Appeals is provided by some of the country's leading QC's in the planning field, www.landmarkchambers.co.uk .

The most frequent issues arising during the planning process are affordable housing provision and the impact on the character of the area as the developments Churchill Retirement Living proposes are generally perceived to be larger than others in the area. The experience and expertise of Planning Issues' excellent planning and design teams helps overcome these concerns. The Company has gained a reputation for sound planning advice and good design.

Commenting on our proposal at Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham the Planning Inspector stated:

"I am satisfied that the mass, height, scale and design of the proposed building would respect the character and appearance of the surrounding area and would not have an adverse effect on the quality of the built environment..."

Extract from Planning Appeal Decision by Planning Inspector R J Yuille MSc Dip TP MRTPI -Appeal Allowed 2nd July 2007

Our in-house experts at Planning Issues have a proven track record of promptly finding the best possible provision of affordable housing, an increasingly prominent feature of any planning consent, which demands innovation from our team. Planning Issues has developed considerable experience in presenting economic viability cases to reduce or remove financial contributions. In September 2009 Southampton City Council agreed to reduce a contribution of £440,000 to zero. In October 2009 Wyre Forest District Council agreed to reduce a contribution of £224,000 to zero and the Planning Officer stated in his report,

"It is clear that the financial appraisal as submitted by the Applicants stands up to scrutiny. I am fully persuaded that the affordable housing off site contributions have been fully taken into account and addressed in light of the current economic climate."

Extract from Wyre Forest District Council Planning Committee Report 13 October 2009

Planning Issues is keen to engage with local authorities on the very different issues of providing schemes for elderly residents and meeting a key population need. Principles such as density, car parking and affordable housing provision are very different with retirement schemes. We wish to ensure that Councillors and Planning and Housing Officers are fully aware of the specialist nature of sheltered housing compared to other types of housing.

On the whole, Planning Issues aims to achieve a co-operative approach when dealing with Planning Officers and Committees, and Local Authorities often welcome the approach taken as an attractive and proactive alternative to Churchill Retirement Living's major competitors.