Planning and landscape experience

We provide planning and property advice to estates and farmers looking to do single or multiple residential plots, agricultural dwellings, conversions, agricultural developments and tourism. We can do single site appraisals, or whole estate and farm appraisals, identifying opportunities for diversification and unlocking value. We have particular expertise in specialist areas such as agricultural dwellings and sustainable living in the countryside. We know, and work with, all the specialist consultants who may be needed to support your planning application, and can recommend those that are best placed, and most cost effective, to help you achieve your goals. We work across Scotland, with particular experience in the Highlands, Argyll & Bute, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire and Fife.

Whether it’s a single plot or a large housing site, we can offer a bespoke planning solution for clients. We can manage your planning application, local review or appeal. Alternatively, we can promote your site through the various stages of the local development plan. We have particular experience of the housebuilding industry and can bring that to bear for housing-related developments. We also offer the same high level of service whether you are looking at an office or industrial development, or something more unique. We can also sell your site for you, or offer advice in relation to optioning your land, if that is a better solution. Whether you are in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow or elsewhere in Scotland and England we will be there for you from start to finish.

Over the last few years, we have provided planning, and property advice, to many clients considering all forms of leisure and tourist developments from the small-scale to the large-scale. With the staycation market remaining buoyant, we can help you frame your proposals, help you write your business plan, or recommend someone to do that for you, and manage your planning application to a successful outcome. We are a 'Partner for Business' member of the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, and can offer advice to their members, and anyone else, on the need for planning permission for short-term let accommodation, submitting planning applications, and Certificates of Lawfulness. We have experience across Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands.

We help estates, farmers and others faced with enforcement proceedings by local planning authorities. We can offer you options, and will negotiate with the local authority on your behalf. Our particular experience is in Scotland, but we are equally adept at working across the United Kingdom.

We provide planning and property advice on all forms of renewable energy and the planning system. We have extensive experience in the wind and solar sectors, which will help you maximise the potential of your site. We have worked within the renewables sector and so know how it operates and what help it needs to be successful.

Houghton Planning is retained by the Church of Scotland General Trustees as their planning consultant in relation to a number of sites across Scotland from Fife in the east, to the Highlands in the north and Argyll & Bute in the west. This includes site promotion through the development plan system, planning applications and general planning advice.

Planning applications, site promotion and retail studies and statements for Aldi Stores Ltd. Paul was responsible for delivering planning permissions for new stores in many towns and cities across Scotland including Inverness, Aberdeen, Oban, Glasgow, Stirling, Alloa, Airdrie, Wishaw, Carluke and many more.

Paul has also secured planning permissions for new stores and extensions for Sainsbury's including at Stirling, Aberdeen and elsewhere. He also secured planning permission for Sainsbury's regional distribution facility at Langlands Industrial Estate, East Kilbride.

Paul has been involved with planning applications at St James Retail Park, Dumbarton, for British Land that allowed Marks and Spencer Simply Food to occupy one of the units and for the relaxation of other planning restrictions.

Paul has produced retail statements and retail impact assessments for Southern Co-operatives, Reef Estates, Henry Boot and St Gobain amongst many others.

Planning applications and local development representations have been submitted by Paul for Bett Homes, Kier Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Bellway Homes, Redrow Homes (Scotland) Ltd, Ogilvie Homes, Sovereign House Developments, Carvill Homes and many others. Major planning permissions have included: Belvidere Hospital, Glasgow, Hawkhead Hospital, Paisley, and Winston Barracks, Lanark, for Kier Homes; Carntyne for Bellway Homes; and the Eastern Expansion Area, Dunfermline, for Redrow Homes (Scotland) Ltd.

Paul was also involved in securing planning permission for Sir Robert McAlpine for a new village at Ardyne Point, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute.

Paul helped produce a report to guide policy on the late night economy in Glasgow produced for Glasgow City Council. Paul has also secure planning permissions for new hostelries in Glasgow and Airdrie. He has also managed planning applications for leisure resorts and golf courses and improvements to these.