Future-Proofing Your Planning Practice Under UK Devolution

With the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill accelerating the transfer of planning powers to regional authorities, planning consultants face an unprecedented challenge: how do you maintain strategic advantage when the rules of the game constantly change?

The devolution of planning powers isn't just a policy update. It’s a fundamental restructuring of how, where, and by whom planning decisions are made.

For planning professionals, this demands a complete rethink of strategy, data collection, and client advisory approaches.

Navigating England’s new devolution landscape: A guide for planning consultants

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has accelerated what started with metro mayors and combined authorities. Planning powers are moving from Whitehall to regional and local decision-makers, creating a patchwork of policies, priorities, and procedures across England.

This devolution encompasses several areas that directly impact planning consultants:

• Strategic development zones where mayors and combined authorities can fast-track major projects with streamlined planning processes
  
  
• Housing delivery targets that vary significantly between regions, with some areas experiencing aggressive growth mandates, while others focus on regeneration
  
  
• Infrastructure investment decisions that determine where major transport, utilities, and digital connectivity projects will be delivered
  
  
• Local plan-making powers that allow regional authorities to influence strategic site allocations, sometimes overriding local authority preferences

How devolution affects planning: Strategic implications for consultants

This fragmentation of planning authority creates both opportunities and risks for consultants:

• Policy complexity: Instead of just tracking national policy, consultants must monitor dozens of regional approaches, each with unique priorities and timelines
  
  
• Client expectations: Developers expect their consultants to be up-to-date with regional infrastructure plans, mayoral priorities, and cross-boundary developments
  
  
• Competition: Clients will value consultants with a deep understanding of regional politics and combined authority structures

How to navigate devolved planning

Successful planning consultants are already adapting to thrive in this devolved environment. Those staying ahead are combining traditional planning expertise with new technology, data and regional specialisation.

Developing regional intelligence networks

Building relationships with combined authority planning teams, mayoral development corporations, and regional infrastructure providers is now essential. These relationships provide early insight into strategic priorities, funding availability, and development opportunities before they become publicly known.

Enhancing data collection and analysis

The devolution of planning powers demands sophisticated data collection and analysis capabilities. Modern planning consultants need:

• Real-time intelligence on policy changes across multiple regions
  
  
• Automated monitoring of infrastructure investments and development opportunities
  
  
• Access to comprehensive planning histories and constraint data

Tools like Searchland's planning constraints filter let consultants quickly assess the viability of a site based on national and regional-level data.

Cross-boundary projects: New opportunities for planning specialists

Some of the most lucrative opportunities in devolved planning occur at the intersection of different authorities. Projects that span several authorities or combined authority boundaries often require specialist knowledge of how different planning systems interact.

Consultants who develop expertise in managing these complex, multi-jurisdictional projects can command premium fees while helping clients navigate otherwise impenetrable regulatory complexity.

Leveraging technology for strategic advantage

The complexity of devolved planning makes manual monitoring and analysis increasingly impractical. Planning consultants who embrace technology have significant advantages:

• Process more information across multiple jurisdictions
• Identify opportunities faster than competitors
• Provide clients with more comprehensive strategic advice
• Reduce time spent on manual research and data gathering
• Appear more knowledgeable than competitors 

Automated policy monitoring

Rather than manually checking dozens of different authority websites for policy updates, successful consultants use automated systems to track changes across all relevant jurisdictions. This ensures no updates are missed while freeing up time for strategic analysis and client advisory work.

Site intelligence and opportunity identification

The most successful consultants combine planning expertise with comprehensive site assessment tools. Searchland's sourcing tool enables consultants to identify development opportunities across multiple regions at once by:

• Tracking public land disposals and ownership changes
• Monitoring infrastructure investment announcements
• Identifying sites within new strategic development zones
• Analysing planning constraints and opportunities at scale

Real-time infrastructure analysis

Understanding how regional infrastructure investments affect site viability is now crucial when delivering strategic planning advice. Consultants need access to current information about transport improvements, utility capacity, and digital infrastructure that might enhance or constrain development potential.

Practical applications in the devolved environment

Here are some specific scenarios where enhanced assessment and data capabilities provide a strategic advantage:

Identifying sites within mayoral development zones requires understanding not just where these zones are, but also their specific policy frameworks and delivery timelines. Using Searchland's layered filtering system, consultants can quickly identify suitable sites within these zones while understanding ownership, constraints, and policy overlays that affect development potential.

Tracking infrastructure and public land opportunities across combined authority boundaries allows consultants to spot development opportunities before their competitors. Searchland's ownership data and infrastructure layers help monitor public sector land disposal programmes and identify areas where infrastructure investment creates development potential.

Assessing development viability across different regions with varying CIL rates, affordable housing requirements, and infrastructure contributions requires a comprehensive understanding of local financial frameworks. Searchland's site sourcing tool helps evaluate potential levy zones and fee structures alongside site context and ownership data.

Future-proofing your consulting practices

The planning consultants who thrive under devolution will be those who combine traditional planning expertise with:

• Enhanced intelligence capabilities and regional specialisation
• Technology-enabled analysis and automated monitoring systems
• Deep understanding of cross-boundary development opportunities
• Strategic insight that extends beyond traditional planning applications

This doesn't mean abandoning fundamental planning skills, but augmenting them with new capabilities that reflect the reality of devolved decision-making. The investment in these enhanced capabilities pays dividends through:

• Improved client retention and higher fee rates
• Access to more strategic development opportunities
• Competitive advantage through superior market intelligence
• Indispensable advisory services for complex regional navigation

Final thoughts

Devolution represents one of the most significant changes to UK planning practice in decades. While this creates challenges, it also creates opportunities for consultants who adapt quickly and strategically.

The consultants who succeed will combine traditional planning expertise with enhanced intelligence gathering, regional specialisation, and technology-backed analysis. They’ll build practices that can navigate complexity, identify opportunities, and provide strategic advice that reflects the reality of devolved planning powers.

Ready to future-proof your planning consultancy? 

Book a demo with Searchland to discover how comprehensive property data and constraint filtering can help you navigate the complexities of devolved planning while identifying opportunities others miss.