Preliminary Planning Appraisal?
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Simply upload your site on the RenKap platform to:
- Reduce your management time by 90%
- Instantly receive a minimum of 3 quotes from our vetted suppliers
- Receive one digital dashboard with survey recommendations
- Quality reports every time guaranteed
Need a Preliminary Planning Appraisal?
Use RenKap
Simply upload your site on the RenKap platform to:
- Access the best vetted surveyors
- Instantly receive a minimum of 3 quotes from our suppliers
- Receive one digital dashboard with survey recommendations
- Quality reports every time guaranteed

The only site investigation checklist you need
Download our site investigation checklist, which covers the 13 site investigation surveys you need to complete on every site. This includes a rundown of why you need each of them and at what stage throughout the project lifecycle.
What is a preliminary planning appraisal?
A preliminary planning appraisal is an evaluation process carried out by a professional planning consultant to assess the feasibility of a proposed development project. This appraisal provides important information about the likelihood of obtaining planning permission for the proposed development, including an analysis of relevant planning policies, site constraints, and opportunities for improvement.
Why do you need a preliminary planning appraisal?
A preliminary planning appraisal is a critical component of the development process and is often required by developers, investors, and lenders to determine the potential feasibility of a project. This type of appraisal provides valuable information about the potential for a development to be approved by the local planning authority and provides key insights that can help the developer calculate the likely potential and viability of the project.
When is a preliminary planning appraisal required?
A preliminary planning appraisal is required at the beginning of the property development process, prior to the purchase of a property and prior to the start of any design work being undertaken. The outcomes of this report will allow the clients design team to plan the right development for the site which will have a high likelihood of being approved by the local planning authority in the first instance.
How long does a preliminary planning appraisal take?
The time it takes will depend on the size and complexity of the site however typically at RenKap our planners can complete the preliminary planning appraisal within 2 weeks.
What is the risk of not completing a preliminary planning appraisal?
The risk of not completing a preliminary planning appraisal can be significant, both in terms of time and money. Without a preliminary appraisal, developers may not be aware of potential planning restrictions or requirements that could negatively impact their project. For example they may believe that they could do more on the site than what would actually be approved by the local planning authority.
How is a preliminary planning appraisal completed?
The process involves conducting a site analysis to assess the physical and environmental conditions of the site, reviewing relevant planning policies, assessing planning risks and opportunities, and preparing a report with recommendations on how to proceed with the development.
What are the key pieces of information that planners need from a client to complete a preliminary planning appraisal?
The key pieces of information would include:
- Site location
- Redline boundary (the perimeter of the site boundary)
- A scope of survey (i.e. a brief of exactly what they need to include in their report)
- Development Proposals
- Existing planning use classes
- Proposed planning use classes
What are the key items that would affect the cost of a preliminary planning appraisal?
The key factors that would affect the cost of the report would include the size of the site, the amount of use classes which are changing, scope of works and the complexity of the development.
How to identify competent planners for your preliminary planning appraisal?
As a minimum they should:
- Abide by the Law Society’s Code of Conduct and Guidance
- Be accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)Town and Country Planning Act 1990
- Abide by the National Planning Policy Framework
- Have an appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance (Ideally more than £1m)
- Have an internal quality assurance procedure
- Have suitably trained and quality staff
The RenKap platform has already pre-vetted the best UK lawyers so you don’t have to.

The only site investigation checklist you need
Download our site investigation checklist, which covers the 13 site investigation surveys you need to complete on every site. This includes a rundown of why you need each of them and at what stage throughout the project lifecycle.