Planning Applications - Further Information

We provide a range of services for aiding successful planning applications (for full and outline planning permission) and also planning appeals. The service offered depends on the particular planning issue but invariably requires computer generated images or computer generated animation. We also provide a range of presentation drawing services to aid planning.

The complexity of traditional drawings often makes them difficult to understand easily or quickly and as a result planning committees can delay planning approval. Increasingly planning committees require realistic computer generated images for planning purposes to enable ease of understanding and also to see further detail than can be shown on traditional 2d drawings. Instead of a plan or elevation they can see the finished appearance of a building complete with site landscape and also the surrounding environment.

The added advantage of our computer generated planning material is that it can be used to show a range of variations during the same meeting. It can also be used to show the site at various stages. For example, when a site is ready it will look different to a site after 5 years when the landscape is more mature and defined.

Planning laws and regulations are extensive and feature many issues to overcome including development rights, use classes, party hedges, rights of way, right to light, conservation, listed buildings and tree preservation. Our experience of assisting planning consultants to overcome planning issues with our output (images or video) is extensive and we have achieved positive results in many cases.

The information below provides details about the various stages of the application process and also the services we offer for each of the various stages of application.

Images for Outline Planning Applications

Outline planning can only be made for erecting a building, and will include the need for a broad outline of the scheme. The aim being to secure the principle of planning for use at a later date.

In such cases we can provide presentation plans or photomontage plans showing the new scheme in a lower level of detail. We have already achieved planning permission for outline planning by using low detail models in existing digital photographs for outline planning purposes.

3D Flyovers and Images for Full Planning Applications

The detailed and full planning application process involves a range of issues that we will usually address in conjunction with architects and planning consultants.

Planning departments and committees are generally inundated with new proposals and therefore any additional information that is provided in the format of 3d perspectives for planning or 3d video for planning will ensure that a scheme is understood quickly and in detail. Whilst this may not guarantee repeat meetings and reviews by planning committees it will ensure that the number of meetings is minimised.

The amount of detail that we show in our images or 3d animation material for planning will normally accompany detailed 2d drawings and will therefore our planning images and video’s will communicate the full extent of the proposed scheme including meeting all planning applications and building regulations.

3D Walkthroughs and Images for Planning Appeals

In some cases, we are brought on to a project to assist with a planning appeal. Appeals must be made within six months and in some cases they are supported with all relevant supporting information which may include visual material for planning such as photomontage, video and computer generated images.

Computer Generated Images for Planning

Our computer generated images are created to reflect the proposed site. We use a range of sophisticated tools for creating 3d CAD models and then finishing these models using sophisticated 3d texturing tools and techniques.

We will usually take 2d drawings (plans and elevations) along with other information such as Ordnance Survey mapping information, landscape plans and designs, building finish and styles etc. We will then use this information to create a combined image to reflect the site in photo realistic detail. As well as photo realistic images we are able to create a range of output styles including computer generated water colour effects.

Photomontage Images for Planning

Photomontage for planning is one f our core service offerings and one that assists with most planning applications. We create photomontage images by superimposing a computer generated image into an existing site image – digital or paper based.

Photomontage not only shows the proposed site and landscape but also shows the existing landscape and environment in such a way that planning committees can be clear of the surrounding environment and the affect of the new site upon it.

Whilst most of our photomontage images are used for detailed planning application and planning appeals, we also create 3d photomontage images for outline planning permission.

Street scene / Streetscape Images for Planning

A street scene or streetscape image is an ideal way to demonstrate the affect of a new set of buildings within the context of an entire street or scene.

We can create a street scene or streetscape by using entirely computer generated material or by using photomontage techniques.

To create a photomontage streetscene or photomontage streetscape image we use expertly taken digital images for an existing site and merge these together before superimposing a computer generated image into the finished image to form a single wide angle image.

3D Walkthrough’s or 3D Flyover’s for Planning

In cases where planning committees would benefit from more information and a range of perspectives, we will usually recommend a movie or video featuring a 3d walkthrough or flyover of a site for planning approval instead of a series of images.

A 3d site walkthrough or site flyover for planning purposes will normally provide planners with a a comprehensive set of information. We work carefully with our clients to ensure that the information displayed in a 3d video serves the purposes for planning approval.

Presentation Drawings for Planning

In cases where a 2d drawing is to be used, we provide a service to ensure that such plans are made more presentable through use of graphic enhancement. Graphically enhanced plans and elevations for planning will normally be easier to read and understand because of the use of colour coding and other graphic features.