Advice grounded in how
decisions are actually made
Planning decisions are made by people. They weigh evidence, respond to argument, and read the room. Henry spent 15+ years as the person making those decisions. That experience is what you get when you instruct Blackridge.
Know how your application will land before you submit it
Most homeowners submit an application and hope for the best. We tell you exactly how it will be received — not just whether policy supports it, but whether the committee will approve it.
Henry has sat in the chair for thousands of applications. He knows the questions officers will ask, the objections neighbours will raise, and the specific language that reassures a committee. That insight, applied to your project before submission, is the difference between approval and refusal.
Discuss Your ProjectWhat's included
- Honest pre-application assessment of how your scheme will land
- Identification of likely officer and committee concerns
- Advice on design, presentation, and supporting documents
- Community engagement strategy where relevant
- Review of application before submission
- Support through the decision process
Ideal for
Homeowners planning extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, or change of use — particularly where a previous application has been refused or where the site is sensitive.
Strategic advice on getting your scheme through committee
Technical compliance is necessary but not sufficient. A scheme that ticks every policy box can still fail at committee if it hasn't been positioned correctly. We make sure yours is.
Henry understands how officers brief members, how community objections are weighted, and what arguments actually move a committee. He advises on the full presentation strategy — from pre-application engagement through to the hearing itself — so your team goes in with a clear picture of what you're facing and how to address it.
Discuss Your ProjectWhat's included
- Committee strategy and presentation planning
- Pre-application engagement advice
- Community objection management
- Officer and member relationship guidance
- Application and supporting document review
- Attendance at committee hearings where required
Ideal for
Developers and architects working on residential schemes, commercial development, mixed-use, or any application likely to go to committee — particularly where community opposition or political sensitivity is a factor.
Independent authority on planning committee process
Independent, authoritative expert witness evidence on planning committee process, decision-making, and governance — for planning appeals, public inquiries, and legal proceedings.
Henry's credentials as a long-serving committee chair across Borough Planning, Major Applications, HS2, and Executive Scrutiny make him uniquely qualified to give evidence on how committees operate, what weight they give to different considerations, and whether correct process was followed. His analysis of planning reform has been published and cited in the House of Commons.
Discuss Your ProjectWhat's included
- Expert witness reports on committee process and decision-making
- Advice to solicitors and barristers on planning committee procedure
- Evidence in planning appeals and public inquiries
- Support in judicial review proceedings
- Independent review of committee decisions
- Advice on LGA planning function effectiveness
Ideal for
Solicitors, barristers, and legal teams requiring an authoritative, independent expert on planning committee process for appeals, judicial reviews, or related proceedings.
Not sure which service fits your situation?
Get in touch and Henry will give you a direct, honest assessment of what you need and whether he can help. No obligation, no jargon.