Pre-Application Advice Services

Test Your Scheme With the Council First. Sussex, Surrey and UK-Wide.

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Why Clients Use ArchEvolve for Pre-Application Advice

A pre-application response is only as useful as the information the council receives. ArchEvolve is MCIAT-chartered, prepares a clear, focused pack with 3D views and asks the right questions, so the officer’s feedback tells you exactly what to change.

      
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   Jonathan Gilbert 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would highly recommend Alex and his company. He has amazing suggestions as well as taking into account our preferences and ideas too. He is easily accessible and has been so helpful in answering all our many questions! Looking forward to seeing our vision come to life!
  
 
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   James Riley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alex was really helpful throughout the whole process. This was our first ever project like this and he was on hand to answer MANY questions!
  
 
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   Nick Rutter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alex was so helpful from start to finish, great communication throughout. Would strongly recommend and will definitely use their services again in the future!
  
 
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   arron tully 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alex at Arch Evolve assisted with obtaining planning permission for a couple of extensions that we were intending on doing. Very professional and offered allot of very helpful advice. Very Happy Thank you.
  
 
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   Marcus Eaton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have worked with Alex on many projects over the years and he has always been brilliant! Looking forward to working together again soon. Very professional and smooth process throughout the whole process.
  
 
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   Charlotte Morley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Archevolve has completed a number of plans for us due to changing my mind regularly. They have been consistently patient & listened to my requirements at all time. Alex has then been on hand for our builders if required. Fantastic company & highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Peter Proto 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Used Alex for our large project, loft conversion, side garage and rear extension. Unbelievable service from start to finish. We are over the moon with the finish. Thank you so much!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tony Maio 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service, they had an excellent understanding of my requirements. They applied great attention to detail, with a  fast and very efficient service together very reasonable costs. I highly recommend this firm.

Our services

Pre-Application Advice and Related Services

If you are still deciding what a site can take, start with a feasibility study. After the pre-app, the feedback is built into the scheme and taken forward as a full planning application. Heritage properties may also need our listed building design service, and larger schemes are covered by planning applications for property developers.

Completed rear extension at Oldfield Crescent

17 services · Sussex & Surrey

Residential

Extensions, conversions and whole-home projects for homeowners, with site visits across West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey.

Extensions

House extensions Single storey extensions Double storey extensions Rear extensions Side return extensions Wrap around extensions Kitchen extensions Glass extensions

Conversions

Loft conversions Garage conversions Basement conversions Barn conversions

Whole home

House refurbishment Interior design Listed building design Self-build design Sustainable design

20 services · Nationwide

Developers & Commercial

Planning and technical design for developers and commercial clients across England.

Developer services

Design for developers Planning for developers Technical design for housing

Site & feasibility

Housing development feasibility Development site appraisals Residential masterplanning

Conversions

Commercial conversions Office to residential Flat conversions

Development types

New build schemes Residential developments Blocks of flats Infill housing Brownfield sites Affordable housing Mixed-use developments Care homes Student accommodation HMOs Rooftop developments

3D visualisation of a rear extension design

15 services · Homeowners and developers

Planning & Drawings

From the first feasibility check to construction drawings, in the order a project needs them.

01Feasibility & survey

Feasibility studies Measured building surveys Pre-application advice 3D visualisations

02Planning

Planning applications Planning drawings Permitted development Design and access statements Outline planning Reserved matters Discharge of conditions

03Technical & construction

Building regulations drawings Construction drawings Technical design for housing Contract administration

What Pre-Application Advice Gives You Before You Apply

Our pre-application advice services prepare and manage a formal request for the council’s view on your proposal before a planning application is made. Most councils in England offer this, usually for a fee and in writing, sometimes with a meeting or site visit. The advice is not binding, but it highlights policy issues, design concerns and missing reports early, when changes cost far less than a refusal.

Common challenges

Not knowing whether the council will accept the principle
Vague pre-app requests that return equally vague feedback
Paying for detailed drawings before the scheme is tested
Unclear which surveys and reports the council will want
Written feedback that is hard to interpret or act on
Officer concerns ignored in the final application, leading to refusal

How ArchEvolve solves them

Policy review to frame the key planning questions in advance
Concise pack with sketch plans, 3D views and targeted questions
Concept drawings developed only as far as the pre-app needs
Request asks the officer to list required surveys and reports
Plain summary of the feedback with recommended design changes
Final application shows how each point of advice was addressed

How an ArchEvolve Project Works

Our pre-application process turns an early idea into clear written council feedback and a stronger final application.

Free Consultation

We discuss your site, your aims and your concerns about planning risk, and confirm whether pre-application advice is worth the fee and time. Free, no obligation.

Policy and History

We review the local plan, design guidance, constraints and the site's planning history to identify the questions the council needs to answer.

Concept Design

We model one or more options in Revit, developed far enough to test the principle, massing and relationship with neighbours rather than every detail.

Pre-App Pack

We prepare sketch plans, elevations, Enscape views and a short covering statement with specific questions, then submit it to the council's pre-application service.

Officer Meeting

Where the council offers a meeting or site visit, we present the scheme on your behalf, in person or online, and record what the officer says.

Feedback Review

We go through the written response with you, separate firm policy objections from preferences and recommend the design changes that carry the most weight.

Application Ready

We revise the 3D model and take the scheme forward to a full planning application that responds directly to the advice received.

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Areas we cover

Pre-Application Advice Across Sussex and Surrey

Residential projects across West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey, with site visits and local planning knowledge. Developer and commercial projects are delivered across England.

3Counties

14Towns

UKDevelopers

Town not listed? Ask us

West Sussex11 towns

Storrington Worthing Horsham Chichester Crawley Littlehampton Bognor Regis Burgess Hill Steyning Findon Hassocks

East Sussex2 towns

Brighton Eastbourne

Surrey1 town

Guildford

Developer or commercial project outside Sussex?

We work across England →

Pre-Application Requests That Officers Can Understand at a Glance

Officers have limited time for each pre-app. ArchEvolve models your options in Revit and renders them in Enscape, so the council sees massing, height and context clearly and can give firmer, more useful advice than sketches allow.

3D Visualisations Included

Enscape views show the officer your scheme in its setting, which makes it easier to discuss height, massing and neighbour impact in a meeting.

Focused Questions

Every request ends with specific questions about policy, design and required reports, so the written response gives you answers rather than general comments.

Local Planning Knowledge

ArchEvolve prepares pre-application requests for councils across West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey, and for developer sites anywhere in the UK.

End-to-End Service

Alex Page runs your pre-app personally and carries the feedback straight into the final application, so nothing is lost between stages.

Pre-Application Advice in Sussex, Surrey and UK-Wide

We manage pre-application requests for homeowners throughout West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey, and for property developers anywhere in the UK, working remotely over Teams.

For larger schemes, sensitive sites, conservation areas and anything that tests local policy, usually yes. For a straightforward rear extension it may add cost and time without much benefit. We give you an honest view at the free consultation.

We review policy, prepare concept drawings and 3D views, write the covering statement, submit the request, attend any meeting and interpret the feedback with you. The scheme is then revised and ready for a full planning application.

Each council sets its own fees and service levels, which often vary by project size and by whether a meeting or site visit is included. We confirm the current charge for your council before anything is submitted.

No. The advice is the officer’s informal view and does not bind the council’s final decision, which also takes account of consultee comments and neighbour responses. It is still a strong indication of how the officer is likely to assess the scheme.

A location plan, sketch plans and elevations, photographs, 3D views and a short statement describing the proposal and the questions you want answered. Too little information produces vague advice, while too much detail wastes money if the scheme changes.

It depends on the council. Response times vary between authorities and with workload, so we check the expected timescale for yours and build it into your programme, so the wait does not hold up the rest of the design.

Yes. On our South Street project, where a disused office block was converted into nine flats, a pre-application phase gave early council feedback ahead of the full application. Larger schemes are covered by our planning applications for property developers service.

Negative feedback is valuable because it costs far less than a refusal. We identify whether the concerns can be solved through design changes, a smaller scheme or extra reports, or whether a different approach to the site is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Your Pre-Application Advice Today

Free initial consultation for homeowners in Sussex and Surrey and developers UK-wide. Test your scheme before you apply.