“I have extensive knowledge of the planning system in local government and practical experience of all aspects of planning issues”
I have 18 years experience working in local authority planning departments, three years at Leeds City Council and 15 years working in Development Control at Calderdale MBC in Halifax. I dealt with a full range of applications from basic householder extensions to more complex major schemes. I also gained considerable experience in dealing with and defending appeals, and addressing Lawful Use Certificates. It is of note that I never lost an appeal on my recommendation, whilst working for a Local Authority.
As a planning officer I gave advice to a range of applicants including large house-building companies, as well as with many applicants of small scale schemes, and this also involved giving out information on development schemes, and advice on the best way to submit applications.
Later as an Enforcement Officer I had experience dealing with the enforcement of planning issues including non-compliance with planning decisions, breaches of planning consent and unauthorised development.
I left Calderdale MBC in May 2013 to start a new challenge as a planning consultant running my own consultancy business.
To date I have worked with several local architects including in particular, Chris Hunt of Niche Design Architects, Menston, West Yorkshire. I include a number of quotes from Chris below;
‘We have worked with Mike Harris Planning on numerous projects in recent years and have always found his advice invaluable in progressing planning applications/appeals.
Mike is highly professional, knowledgeable and always objective.
His friendly and personal approach also makes working with him a pleasure and we would have no hesitation in recommending his services to others.’
My work involves submitting statements of planning support, as well as working with many Private householders (members of the public), assisting with various planning matters and submitting and winning a high proportion of planning appeals – please see case studies.
“As an independent Planning Consultant, my focus now is to assist applicants through the complexities of the application process, with a particular emphasis on Residential Schemes, Householder Extensions and the planning appeal process.”
My planning consultancy covers in particular, North and West Yorkshire, and East Lancashire, but I am happy to travel further to meet demand.
Qualifications
BA (Hons) Urban Development Middlesex University, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands and Leeds Becketts University
Post Graduate Diploma in Town and Regional Planning at Leeds Becketts University
View my LinkedIn profile here
