Arup offers a comprehensive and flexible single-point consultancy and planning service.
The firm provides a unique service that links policy development with governments, strategic advice and practical implementation through plans and consents.
Consents (development control and management)
The firm provides a comprehensive development control and management service, which includes all aspects of the process:
- Advice on development proposals and appropriate strategies for obtaining planning permission (consents).
- Pre-application consultation and negotiation.
- Coordinating multidisciplinary teams to provide supporting information.
- Submitting planning applications and reserved matters applications.
- Providing appeal services, including preparing proofs of evidence and presenting expert witness evidence at public inquiries.
- Section 106 negotiations (through the UK planning system).
Arup's service goes beyond traditional land use planning. The firm's proactive approach enables a multidisciplinary service for development to meet the aspirations and needs of authorities, clients and communities.
Significant infrastructure projects have benefited greatly from this approach, including new reservoirs (Thames Water, Portsmouth Water), new rail routes (Channel Tunnel Rail Link, East London Line) and pre-planning application consultation (BSkyB, the international attraction of the National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats proposed near Bedford, UK and VTP200).
Arup's planning specialists foster good working relationships among local planning authorities, developers and agents, as well as involving the wider community through consultation.
Developing schemes for both private and public sector clients has given Arup a wealth of experience of development consents and management, submitting applications and, where necessary, associated appeals.
Spatial planning
Arup has helped to implement the changes and reforms which have shaped the UK planning system since 2004, with an emphasis on high-quality, sustainable development. The firm has also assisted with the planning systems in the US, Australia, China and the Middle East and was the lead consultant in the development of the first Area Action Plan (a Local Plan) to be approved in England. Arup specialises in producing sustainable plans, frameworks and masterplans, such as the UK’s Peterborough Integrated Growth Study.
This experience means that Arup is well-placed to develop schemes and proposals that are in line with these policies, working as part of integrated teams on major masterplans and proposals.
Climate change and planning
Adapting to climate change is rapidly becoming a crucial challenge. Arup, through its network of global offices, plays a key role in responding to and dealing with climate change, ensuring, for example, that new developments minimise the demand for energy.
Arup has also been at the forefront of community stakeholder engagement, in response to UK national planning policy emphasis on local involvement in the development of proposals. The firm's consultation planners work alongside design teams and project managers. They ensure that local people are given the opportunity to suggest ideas at a stage where they can influence the design of projects such as the consultations on the UK's M1 widening and on one of the UK's eco towns.