Norwich Planning Consultant
Local Knowledge for a Historic, Growing City
Cedar Planning provides clear, policy-led planning advice across Norwich for homeowners, developers, landowners, architects and businesses. We understand the city's mix of heritage, dense urban neighbourhoods, city-centre regeneration, student housing and commercial-to-residential opportunities.
From the Golden Triangle and the UEA area to the city centre and the outer neighbourhoods, we provide planning applications, appeals, feasibility studies, Planning Statements and strategic advice tailored to your property or site.
- Based in Norfolk
- RTPI Chartered
- Fixed-fee quotations
- Norfolk Chambers member
Planning in Norwich Is Not Like Planning Anywhere Else
Norwich is a historic city with a dense urban environment, a high concentration of designated heritage assets, established residential neighbourhoods, a large student population and an evolving city-centre economy.
Whether you are extending a Victorian terrace in the Golden Triangle, considering an office-to-residential conversion in the city centre, progressing flats or student accommodation, or assessing a redevelopment opportunity, we identify the policies and constraints that matter before setting the planning strategy.
Cedar Planning is not a national agency parachuting in from outside. We are based in Norfolk, work across Norfolk's planning authorities every week and give you direct advice from an experienced Chartered Town Planner.
Our work ranges from householder extensions and certificates of lawfulness through to residential development, commercial schemes, changes of use, planning appeals, strategic land and professional planning objections.
Our approach
We don't apply generic Norfolk advice to Norwich. The city has its own urban, heritage and commercial context, and the planning strategy needs to reflect that.
Norwich-specific planning issues
Norwich has 17 conservation areas and a particularly high concentration of heritage assets, so significance, setting and design need careful handling.
Selected office buildings in central Norwich are covered by an Article 4 Direction removing Class MA rights for office-to-residential conversion. How the Norwich Article 4 Direction affects Class MA.
Conversions and higher-density schemes raise amenity, refuse, parking, internal space and design issues under Norwich's development management policies.
The current plan was adopted in 2024, and a new Greater Norwich Local Plan to 2045 is now being prepared.
Expert Local Planning Services Across Norwich
From a residential conversion in the city centre to a householder application in the suburbs, we design our advice around your site, the policy context and the outcome you want.
Planning Applications
We prepare, submit and manage applications for homeowners, developers and businesses in Norwich, including strategy, supporting documents and proactive application management.
View servicePlanning Appeals
If your application has been refused, we assess the decision, policies and evidence before advising whether an appeal or a revised application is the stronger route.
View serviceFeasibility Studies & Site Appraisals
Before you buy land or commission detailed design, we identify development potential, planning history, constraints and a realistic route forward.
View serviceStrategic Land Promotion
Supporting landowners through the Greater Norwich Local Plan 2045, including site strategy, evidence and Local Plan representations.
View servicePlanning Statements
Clear, evidence-led Planning Statements for residential, commercial and mixed-use proposals, grounded in Greater Norwich policy.
View serviceClass MA & Change of Use
Advice on commercial-to-residential opportunities, prior approval and whether Norwich's office Article 4 Direction affects your property.
Read the guideNorwich Planning Policy: What It Means for Your Site
The Greater Norwich Local Plan, adopted in March 2024, is the strategic framework for Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk. Norwich's Development Management Policies Local Plan continues to provide the detailed policies used to assess applications where they remain applicable.
A new Greater Norwich Local Plan to 2045 is now being prepared. The 2026 call for sites has closed and a scoping consultation is taking place during August and September 2026, so the strategic framework is entering a new plan-making cycle.
For individual sites, the right strategy considers the adopted development plan, national policy, Norwich's Article 4 controls, heritage and other material considerations, and, where relevant, the direction of travel in GNLP 2045.
Key policy areas we navigate
Strategic policies for housing, employment, infrastructure, climate change and the pattern of growth across Greater Norwich.
Detailed criteria covering design, amenity, heritage, housing, commercial uses and transport.
Specific permitted development rights are removed in parts of Norwich, including selected central office buildings and a number of conservation-area properties.
The new plan is at an early evidence and scoping stage. Strategic sites and longer-term land opportunities should be considered in that context.
A Consultancy That Works With You, For You
Professional planning advice is particularly useful where a site has heritage constraints, a previous refusal, neighbour objections, flood risk, an Article 4 restriction, a proposed change of use, a flat conversion or a more complex redevelopment.
Early advice can identify the strongest planning route before substantial costs are committed to design and technical reports.
RTPI Chartered
Led by a Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute with more than ten years of public and private-sector planning experience.
Honest Prospects
A realistic view of the planning risks and options before you commit time or money.
Fixed, Transparent Fees
Fixed-fee quotations agreed before work starts, so you know the cost from the outset.
Responsive Service
We work to agreed timescales and keep you informed as your project progresses.
End-to-End Management
Where instructed, we stay involved through submission and decision rather than preparing a document and disappearing.
Part of Norwich & Norfolk's Business Community
Cedar Planning is proud to be a member of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. As a locally based planning consultancy, we value being part of the wider Norfolk business community while providing professional planning advice to homeowners, developers, landowners, architects and businesses across the county.
Meet the Planner Behind Cedar Planning
Cedar Planning is led by Dan Malloy MRTPI, a Chartered Town Planner with more than a decade of public and private-sector planning experience. Norwich clients receive direct, commercially grounded advice focused on the policy, constraints and strategy relevant to their project.
About Cedar PlanningPlanning Consultants Across Norfolk
Norwich is at the centre of our Norfolk coverage. We also provide dedicated advice across the county's other council areas. See our main Norfolk planning consultant page.
Norwich Planning FAQs
Common questions about planning permission in Norwich.
Do I need planning permission for an HMO in Norwich?
Larger HMOs, for seven or more people, always need planning permission. Smaller HMOs for three to six people can often be created under permitted development, unless an Article 4 Direction or a planning condition removes that right. We check the position for your property and advise on amenity, space and parking standards.
Can I convert an office to flats in Norwich under Class MA?
Often, but not everywhere. Selected office buildings in central Norwich are covered by an Article 4 Direction that removes Class MA rights, so a full planning application is needed there. Elsewhere, a prior approval application may be possible. Read our guide to Class MA in Norfolk and Suffolk, or see our Class MA prior approval service.
What changes if my property is in a Norwich conservation area?
Norwich has 17 conservation areas and a high concentration of listed buildings. Some permitted development rights are restricted, and some conservation-area properties are covered by Article 4 Directions. Most applications affecting heritage assets need a heritage statement.
Which council decides applications in the Norwich area?
Norwich City Council decides applications within the city boundary. Much of the wider urban area falls under neighbouring councils: Hellesdon, Sprowston, Thorpe St Andrew and Old Catton are in Broadland, while Costessey, Cringleford and Trowse are in South Norfolk.
What is the Greater Norwich Local Plan 2045?
The current Greater Norwich Local Plan was adopted in March 2024 for Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk. The councils are now preparing a replacement plan to 2045, which will set future housing and employment growth. Landowners can promote sites through the call for sites and later consultations.
Do you work across the whole of Norwich?
Yes. We are based in Norfolk and Norwich is at the centre of our coverage. We visit sites across the city and deal with Norwich City Council regularly.
Get a Free Quote
Tell us what you are trying to achieve and where the property or site is. We will give you an initial view and a fixed-fee quote.
Or alternatively, send us an email at info@cedarplanning.co.uk with the relevant information.
Cedar Planning provides independent Chartered Town Planning advice across Norwich for homeowners, developers, landowners and businesses, including Planning Applications, Planning Appeals, Heritage Statements and Class MA conversions.
Planning Refused in Norwich?
If Norwich City Council has refused your application, our Norwich appeals page explains the policies usually cited and how an appeal is run.