About Colin Smith
Colin Smith is a Planning Consultant, Developer, and Public Speaker who has been established for over 30 years. During that time, he has been involved with hundreds of planning issues, resolving a great many of them positively for his clients. With wide experience in all areas of buildings and planning regulation, Colin helps people make the most out of their property or any land they may own.
By utilising his insight into building controls, planning policy, and law, he helps find practical and economical solutions, noting that the important factor is knowing what one can and cannot do with a property. Colin works with clients so they achieve value out of their property, usually in a way that gives them more space, enables them to expand, or allows them to realise a land asset. Regarding land, he advises on available options and potential uses, whether for a residential property, a number of properties, or other uses.
Colin oversees the design process, liaises with the Local Authority, and obtains necessary approvals. He possesses extensive knowledge of planning regulations and controls, hands-on construction know-how, project management skills, and an acute understanding of planning law and policies. He is widely regarded as a key authority on commercial to residential conversions using strategically applied permitted development rights.
His early experience was in private architectural practice, where he learned the art of drawing and design and helped the company become one of the early adopters of Computer-Aided Design (CAD). Upon becoming self-employed, he ran an architectural, property, and design business where he coordinated a design and building team on a wide range of domestic projects.
Colin sees relationships as central to success, both with clients and the planning authority. Drawing on his experience, knowledge, and contacts, he provides a seamless one-stop service for every planning and building requirement. Whether the project is an extension, conversion, or new-build, he offers a complete planning consultancy that includes helping secure planning permission, providing expert advice and estimates, liaising with councils and builders, and troubleshooting.
