Independent Agricultural Planning Advisors for Local Planning Authorities
Planning applications affecting agricultural land are becoming increasingly complex. From utility-scale renewable energy developments and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), Local Planning Authorities are increasingly required to consider specialist agricultural issues alongside planning policy, environmental impacts and sustainable development objectives.
Landscope provides independent agricultural planning advice to Local Planning Authorities across England, helping planning officers make robust, evidence-based decisions on developments affecting agricultural land, soils and rural environments.
Acting as an extension of your planning team, we provide impartial technical advice, proportionate recommendations and practical solutions that support efficient decision-making while reducing pressure on internal resources.
Whether you require advice on a single planning application or specialist support across a programme of work, our services are tailored to your authority's needs and designed to fit seamlessly alongside your existing planning processes.
How We Support Local Planning Authorities
Our consultants provide independent technical advice throughout the planning process, supporting planning officers with specialist agricultural expertise where it is needed most.
Our services include:
Agricultural Land & Soil Advice
Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)
Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Agricultural Land
Agricultural Impact Assessments
Soil Resource Assessments
Soil Management Plans
Agricultural Land Quality Reviews
Independent review of applicant ALC surveys
Technical peer review of agricultural submissions
Environmental Planning
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Environmental Statement (ES) Chapters
Agricultural and Soil Chapters
Technical Appendices
Mitigation Strategies
Restoration Proposals
Planning Conditions
Requirement drafting and review
Planning Support
Independent technical advice for Planning Officers
Local Impact Reports
Planning Committee Support
Officer Briefings
Written Representations
Statements of Common Ground
Planning Appeals
Public Inquiries
Expert Witness Services
DCO Examinations
Renewable Energy & Major Infrastructure
Utility-scale Solar Farms
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Vehicle Energy Storage Systems (VESS), where applicable
Grid Infrastructure
Cable Corridors
Substations
Wind Energy Infrastructure
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)
Development Consent Order (DCO) Applications
Support at Any Stage of the Planning Process
Every planning application is different, and specialist advice isn't always required from day one.
Landscope can become involved at any stage of a planning application or infrastructure project, providing independent technical advice exactly when it is needed.
Whether you're reviewing a newly submitted application, responding to consultation comments, assessing additional information, preparing for committee or participating in a Development Consent Order Examination, our consultants can provide clear, practical advice to support your planning team.
We regularly provide independent reviews of:
Agricultural Land Classification Reports
Soil Management Plans
Environmental Impact Assessments
Environmental Statement Chapters
Agricultural Impact Assessments
Additional Information submissions
Planning Appeal evidence
NSIP Examination documents
A Proportionate Approach to Planning Advice
Rather than recommending unnecessary surveys or extensive technical work, we focus on providing proportionate advice that reflects the scale, complexity and potential impact of each development.
This helps Local Planning Authorities:
Make informed planning decisions.
Improve efficiency within planning teams.
Reduce unnecessary consultancy costs.
Access specialist expertise only where it adds value.
Ensure agricultural land and soils are appropriately considered.
Meet planning timescales with responsive technical support.
Flexible Support for Planning Teams
Every Local Planning Authority has different workloads, internal resources and procurement requirements.
Some authorities require support on individual planning applications, while others benefit from more regular access to specialist agricultural planning expertise.
Our services are designed to be flexible and responsive, allowing authorities to access independent advice in a way that best suits their workload, priorities and internal processes. By taking the time to understand how your planning team operates, we can provide a consistent, efficient service that minimises administrative burden and delivers timely, practical advice whenever it is required.
Selected Project Experience Landscope's consultants have supported Local Planning Authorities reviewing nationally significant renewable energy and infrastructure projects across England, providing independent agricultural land and soils advice throughout the planning and Development Consent Order process.
Lime Down Solar (Wiltshire)
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)
Landscope prepared the Soils and Agricultural Impact Report for the proposed Lime Down Solar development in Wiltshire, providing specialist advice on agricultural land, soil resources and the potential effects of the scheme on farming and land capability. Our assessment formed part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, helping to demonstrate how agricultural land and soils had been considered and how impacts could be managed through appropriate mitigation and soil management measures.
Our input included:
Soils and agricultural impact assessment
Agricultural land resource evaluation
Soil resource management
Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land considerations
Technical input supporting the DCO applications
Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind (Lincolnshire)
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)
Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind (Lincolnshire)
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)
During the Development Consent Order examination, Landscope provided specialist comments on Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) and soils documentation to support the planning authority's review of the onshore elements of the project. Our technical advice focused on agricultural land quality, soil resource protection and the assessment of information submitted by the applicant, helping officers scrutinise the proposals and inform their responses throughout the examination process. Public examination documents reference Landscope's agricultural land and soils review within the applicant's responses to Local Impact Reports.
Our input included:
Independent review of Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)
Soil resource assessment
Technical review of applicant documentation
Support during the DCO examination process
Advice on agricultural land and soil management