What our clients say

John has worked with us on numerous projects and has the ability, using his in depth knowledge of the planning system, to secure approvals for our clients. The projects we have brought him on are residential, tourism, commercial, industrial and heritage.

David PiercyPIERCY DESIGN

I have worked with John for a few years now. He's very professional and easy to work with. He's helped us out with our biggest schemes and always picks up the phone for the smaller queries. I fully recommend Benson Planning Studio to anyone with a planning need - big or small

Dave EttridgeETTRIDGE ARCHITECTURE

We used John for one of our first projects and he took all off the stress away from the process. What appeared to us to be a minefield, was made much easier. A friendly, efficient and re-assuring service. We are really pleased to be working with John on the next project.

Chris ColcombKINGSTON APARTMENTS

BPS have been our planning consultants on a number of large scale residential, commercial and retail schemes. All the schemes have been successful which is testament to the knowledge and expertise of the company.

Sonny NagraNAGRA PROPERTIES

John at BPS has been my planning consultant for a number of years and had helped with projects at my own home and with large scale projects we have been involved with. He provides a personal service and his expertise and knowledge of the planning process has been invaluable.

Shaun LarvinSKN DEVELOPMENTS

BPS provide us with full site appraisals and feasibility reports on land that we would like to develop throughout the UK. Their knowledge of the planning system has provided us with confidence to submit planning applications for various schemes around the country.

RM Real EstateLIVERPOOL

As a small new business entering a new location it's really important to develop a good reputation by being professional, flexible and having good people around you. It's often overlooked that various professions will be the public face of your business and as such it's critical to ensure they're aligned with your goals and values. On my latest development in Pearson Park it was imperative for the planning committee to buy in to what I have done in the past, what I wanted to do now and in the future too. As such John painted a very accurate picture of my background, past projects, current projects and a detailed analysis of the current project - the first 'new build' in Pearson Park for thirty years. He put together a comprehensive design and access statement with no 'cutting and pasting' which appears the norm for other consultants. He bought in to what I wanted to do and presented my case superbly. I'd certainly recommend John if you have a project coming up and you want your planning application to stand head and shoulders above the pack.

Marcus AllonALLON HOMES

John at Benson planning studio was recommended to us to help us obtain full planning permission for our new glamping development. The documents he produced for the application were highly professional and bulletproof. John kept the ball rolling with the Council and most importantly successfully secured us with the result that we wanted.

Lucie King

We have worked with Benson Planning Studio on a number of projects and find that they are keen to deliver the highest standard of service with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm, delivering a comprehensive and detailed planning service, with the ability to liaise confidently with planning authorities and specialist consultants.

Stuart TurtonTURTON ASSOCIATES

Benson Planning Studio have always been helpful, pragmatic and professional in their approach to planning matters upon which I have recommended them. John is very knowledgeable in respect of planning regulations and policy and therefore holds valuable respect form other professionals that work alongside him. He provides professional advice with realistic expectations and delivers such advice on time. I have found it beneficial to work with him on projects recently.

Dave GarnessGARNESS JONES

We have collaborated with Benson Planning Studio a number of times now and have always received a professional and knowledgeable service. John is always keen to offer his support and expertise, regardless of the project size or value. We look forward to working with John again in the near future to maintain a strong and fruitful working relationship for ourselves and our clients.

Rob BarrettAR2 ARCHITECTS

Benson Planning Studio have been very helpful over the years giving Paragon Space the opportunity to deal direct with end user clients, offering the full turnkey package. We have been dealing with John 2-3 years now and received nothing but excellent service. I’d like to thank him for the ongoing support and look forward to working together in 2022.

Gareth FosterPARAGON SPACE

We have worked with John on various projects and cannot fault his level of service. John’s eye for detail, comprehensive knowledge of the planning process and meticulous report writing has been invaluable to us in gaining planning approval on all of the projects on which we have worked. The collaborative way in which we can work with John is an effortless process and any obstacles we encounter are easily overcome.

Dan LonsdaleSPRINGFIELD STEEL BUILDINGS

We were recommended to John by another developer who we have worked with, who had also worked with him and highly recommended him. From the moment we first spoke we knew he would be the perfect fit to take on all our planning consultancy moving forwards. John is professional, and has a huge amount of knowledge in the planning industry and this has been a huge help in helping our planning applications over the line. He is optimistic, whilst also been realistic, that balance is really important. He has a good level of communication, constantly updating you and keeping on the toes of the planning authorities. We would highly recommend him and his services whether you are a home owner, landlord or developer.

Matt BloorBLOOR PROPERTY

John and I have worked together for a number of years. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to planning, he’s informative and keeps abreast of changing policies whether they are local planning policies or at national level. John is passionate about architecture as well as town planning and as an Architect, I rely heavily on John’s knowledge and advice throughout the design process. It is a pleasure to work with John, not only is he a well respected planning consultant he’s become a great friend too. What more can I say – we are a team.

Nuala RoartyNU ARCHITECTS

John is a vastly knowledgable planning consultant who truly understands the intricacies of the planning system, both locally and nationally. He has not only helped us secure countless planning approvals as our go-to consultant, but has also shared a vast amount of knowledge along the way and helped make the process more understandable, which we highly value as a relatively new company. We would not hesitate to recommend John to anyone looking for a complete planning consultancy service.

Matt RileySTUDIO SIX ARCHITECTURE

We’ve worked with John for several years now on a variety of challenging sites, applications, and authorities from Yorkshire to London. He is professional, diligent, and adds value to the process, particularly on complex planning appeals.

Rob CookID ARCHITECTURE

John has acted for us on a couple of occasions and found him to be extremely knowledgeable with great attention to detail, quick responses and a pleasure to deal with.

Mike ClaytonWESTFIELD HOMEBUYERS

We have worked with Benson Planning Studio for several years now, on a variety of projects around the UK from small scale to large scale schemes. They have always delivered a professional and reliable service, giving affective advice and guidance were needed, which ensures projects have a solid foundation within National and Local Planning Policy. Good design requires this type of service to illustrate the design meets with the relevant national and local policies, freeing the design team to focus on our part of the project, implementing the policies through the design. They form part of our design team with John assessing the designs and offers guidance and advice, which is vital to the work we do, this impartial objective review ensures all relevant policies are dealt with by each scheme we produce.

Stuart NaylorGTCE Griffin Toomes Consulting Engineers

Due to the discreet location of our business at the end of a main shopping street we needed additional exposure as our business was suffering. Our business operates from a Listed Building but BPS provided a detailed Heritage Statement to accompany our application and ultimately obtained Listed Building and Advertisement Consent.

Claire BuxtonBARTON VETERINARY CENTRE

John has worked with us on a number of complicated residential projects in East Yorkshire and his depth of knowledge of the planning system has helped us overcome hurdles we have faced and allowed us to gain the necessary consents for developments.

A SPACE ARCHITECTS

BPS first worked with us on an Appeal following refusal of a residential scheme in Hull and they have now become our dedicated consultant on all our developments throughout the UK. Their positive attitude and in depth of knowledge of the UK Planning System has been invaluable to use on our multi million pound developments.

MJ DEVELOPMENTS

A number of businesses on our Industrial Estate had an on going planning matter with a local company because of a breach in planning conditions. We instructed BPS to act on behalf of all businesses and the matter was resolved within a short time frame. Their knowledge of Planning Enforcement enabled a swift resolution to this particular matter.

HAVERCRON CONSTRUCTION

We worked in partnership with BPS on the Planning Application for a large mixed use development on the site of the former Art College in Grimsby. With his knowledge and enthusiasm, John positively contributed to the design to ensure it complied with the Local Planning Policies. His positive attitude and availability to provide constant feedback helped us deliver a comprehensive project to the client. We would highly recommend BPS services and we look forward to working with him again soon.

Alessandro PennaDIRECTOR, CIAO - CREATIVE IDEAS & ARCHITECTURE OFFICE

BPS represented us for a planning appeal that we were told we would not have any chance of success. Their analysis of the situation and in depth knowledge of Local and National Planning Policy meant that we could formulate a strong argument and the Appeal was ultimately successful. They now advise us on all matters planning related.

DOVETAIL CONSULTANCY

We had some land available on a site in Cambridgeshire and BPS unlocked the land and allowed us to gain planning approval on a stunning house on a difficult site. Noting was too much trouble and their aptitude to analysing planning policy was invaluable with this project.

BOREHOLE SOLUTIONS LTD

I brought John on board for a complex Planning Appeal which needed expert knowledge of Local Planning Policy and also Heritage and Conservation considerations. The project was extremely sensitive and BPS handled the appeal extremely well from the outset and I would have no hesitation in working with the company again.

Sunil MukerjeaBUILDING BY ARCHITECTURE

We have embarked on a number of large scale developments throughout 2017 and instructed BPS to provide the planning consultancy for our projects. They are now retained on our Development Framework and they have worked in partnership with all our consultants to provide delivery on all our projects. A highly recommended company who are able to act quickly to challenging situations.

HULL UNIVERSITY ESTATES DEPARTMENT

BPS have worked on our behalf converting a large property in Grimsby into 16 apartments and their knowledge of residential redevelopments has enabled us to embark on this project with the upmost confidence.

BELVOIR PROPERTIES

BPS have assisted us on a number of projects and securing permission on both rural and urban projects. Their ability, knowledge and quality of work have allowed us to embark on projects with confidence.

LITTEN ASSOCIATES

Benson Planning Studio have provided us with advice and guidance on a number of large scale residential projects and with their knowledge, the schemes have progressed seamlessly through the planning system. We would highly recommend this company to any architect, developer or investor.

FUEL VENUES

We had a problem with a planning application that had essentially stalled with a Local Planning Authority and we instructed BPS to try and progress the scheme and we have now obtained planning approval for a community centre.

GGP CONSULT

BPS have helped us with our 'City Dressing' project and they have been very professional from the outset in helping us with all matters planning related.

HULL CITY OF CULTURE TEAM

We sought to modernise our business and instructed BPS to submit and manage our application for a new waste incinerator at our facility in Hull. John has dealt with this scheme in a very professional way dealing with the Environment Agency and Council which has allowed us to move forward with total ease.

WALKERS SKIPS, HULL

We have collaborated closely with John on numerous projects over the last 5 years or so. He can offer both professional guidance and respond to planning applications and planning officer’s queries with precision and accuracy thereby protecting the clients’ interests. He is extremely knowledgeable in planning matters and demonstrates an understanding of the methodology of planning officers which offered added strength to his advice and recommendations. John is happy to act on small development cases such as an extension to a house right up to large scale development proposals and look forward to continuing our working relationship with Benson Planning Studio long into the future.

Howard BruceAEB ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN LTD

John is very knowledgeable, professional and experienced in his field. His name often comes up as the go to person for anything planning related. From something small like converting a garage to a living space (which the council previously twice rejected) to new-build developments and everything in between, John is the person for anything planning related.

Alex DemianenkoDUVPROP

Y6 Architectural Ltd have utilised the services of Benson Planning Studio on handful of projects now on both straight forward but also challenging projects which required specific planning detailing. John has now become our preferred planning consultant, he is very knowledgeable and is always willing to talk through the different options and approaches available. He always delivers on programme and to the highest quality. Would highly recommend.

Peter MillsY6 ARCHITECTURAL

John's expertise is second to none, having had the pleasure of utilising him and having successful outcomes I simply would not go anywhere else for planning consultancy services. An expert in his field and most helpful in his approach with clients.

Luke BrindleyWIZARD PROPERTY

John is very knowledgeable & professional when it comes to dealing with planning matters along when dealing with mutual client’s, I would have no hesitation in recommending his services.

Paul WhiteGARNESS JONES

We have worked with John over a number of years now and he has become an essential member of our wider team. He has added huge value to our processes, helping us navigate complex planning policy, mitigating risk and saving us money.

Josh LawrenceQUBE PROPERTY

Tulip Estate Agents has used Benson Planning Studio for various planning matters over the years. On all occasions we have found them to be efficient, professional we would highly recommend their services as value for money and time saving.

J R AustinDIRECTOR OF TULIP ESTATE AGENTS

We would highly recommend using Benson Planning Studio. John ensured the process of our commercial to residential development of a grade two listed building in Hull's Old Town ran smoothly from start to finish. Any potential barriers to the development were highlighted before it started, enabling us to find proactive solutions and be successful in our planning application. It was a huge benefit having John as our main point of contact, whilst he communicated with multiple agencies throughout the successful application. We will definitely use him again on future projects.

Gemma KitchenBIRD BOX PROPERTY HOLDINGS LTD

We can't recommend John enough if you are seeming an efficient and most importantly successful planning process. He is always on the end of the phone willing to help, and will offer cost-effective advice based on his many years of experience. Had successful outcomes over the last couple of years as well as some priceless guidance just over a quick chat. I will be getting in contact with John for any planning queries or applications for many years to come.

Alex StockbridgeWOLD PROPERTY LTD

We would highly recommend Benson Panning Studio and will definitely be using again on our next project. Our development project, the conversion of a Grade 2 listed building in a prominent location on the high street presented numerous planning challenges. From the initial consultation with John through to successfully obtaining planning permission the service was first class in every sense. With a courteous, innovative and proactive approach John ensured the hassle was taken out of the planning process.

Liam PlunkettHOME-MADE (YORKSHIRE) LTD