Country House - Simple Planning Solutions

Professional Planning Advice

I provide freelance planning services to Local Planning Authorities, Planning Consultancies, Landowners, Developers and Householders.

I am based in Coventry but can provide planning help throughout England.

Get In Touch

Coventry Based Planning Consultant

I provide solutions for a range of planning needs, including specialising in:

New and replacement dwellings
Change of use
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Certificates of lawful development
Permitted Development Rights
Class Q conversions
Agricultural and equestrian buildings
Appeals

Send Me a Message

About Me

“I am a chartered town planner with a BA in History and Theory of Art from University of Kent at Canterbury and an MSc in Spatial Planning from Oxford Brookes University. I have spent the past 15 years working in Development Management for local authorities in the Midlands and private consultancies.”

Michelle Hill BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI

Director of Simple Planning Solutions Ltd

Trusted Reviews

Simple Planning Solutions Ltd

5.0

Based on 37 reviews

review us on

Caroline S.

2 months ago

Very professional, informative, explained everything in a clear and understandable manner. Was timely and honest. Would definitely recommend. Great value for money x

Gershon S.

2 months ago

Michelle offered me a good service. She will update you of the processAnytime you call she will fine time for you. Good customer service.

John N.

4 months ago

A HUGE thank you to Michelle for pointing me in the right direction with the very difficult job of ‘planning permission’ for replacing my out dated Septic Tank. Not only was it six star advice, it was all done within 24 hours. THANK YOU again, regards, John.

Dean C

4 months ago

Michelle is very helpful and responsive. I contacted her for some initial advice on a project and the advice was excellent. Thank you!

Dee

5 months ago

I had the pleasure of working with Michelle, who demonstrated exceptional expertise in her role. She proactively took the initiative and was instrumental in helping me secure planning permission. Great work—thank you, Michelle!

Charles B.

5 months ago

Michelle is excellent and I can't recommend Simple Planning Solution Ltd enough. Our application had a complex history and we were not expecting a positive result, however Michelle managed to achieve a quick, efficient and very positive outcome. Thanks so much. Happy to give a more detailed reference if needed

Chaz D.

5 months ago

We were recommended Simple Planning Solutions by a friend, and choosing Michelle was the best decision we made. She handled our farm's change of use planning for dog kennels and dog fields on green belt land with such expertise. Michelle was fantastic—extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire planning process.From site visits to quick responses, she was always there for us, even replying to the council on our behalf while on holiday! Her dedication and professionalism were truly impressive.Top-notch service, highly recommended! We will definitely be using Michelle for all our future planning applications on other projects.And the best part? Planning granted!

GOLDY S.

5 months ago

Michelle Hill made the entire process entirely seamless with exceptional customer service and friendly yet professional advice. Simple Planning Solutions gets a big 10 out of 10 for value for money and customer service. Michelle made me feel at ease throughout. Highly recommend.

James C.

6 months ago

Michelle Hill achieved the planning permission that was needed for Stables, was an absolute pleasure to work with and made the process straight forward

*David B.

6 months ago

Michelle promptly visited us, was very knowledgeable and very thoroughly guided us. This was followed up with a suprisingly comprehensive report. Without hesitation reccomended.

Sam G.

6 months ago

The level of service provided by Michelle was exceptional, she went above and beyond every single day to ensure my application for change of usage was a success.The complications implemented by the council caused alot of stress for me but Michelle overcame every obstacle.Highly recommended and will always use in the future, thank you again!

David S.

7 months ago

Simple Planning..Simply Stunning!!Excellent Service!! Michelle has been amazing. She is an experienced planning officer who is able to provide a wealth of knowledge and information. Thanks to her advice and her application support document, we have recently had our application approved which we are over the moon about. Michelle has helped at every stage and has worked with the surveyors, architect and most recently negotiated with the planning officer during the application to ensure approval. Her fees are very reasonable and she is so easy to talk to and deal with. Very few of us who are not in the industry have the knowledge to support these complex applications to give them the best chance of success and I think this possibly the best money I have ever spent for her help with this project. I can't recommend Simply Planning enough. Well deserved 5 stars!!

Laura K.

7 months ago

Michelle responded quickly to mine and my husband’s initial inquiry and offered a free high level assessment of the proposal. She came back the next day and we really appreciated her view and honesty over the unlikelihood of achieving what we wanted. She was clear and explained her thoughts. She could have dragged out the process or said she needed to perform a costly assessment but she didn’t. We hugely valued this. Would definitely recommend.

Mike P.

8 months ago

Excellent service and a fantastic result! Michelle made the whole process easy and stress free, she provided expert advice and managed the application process on our behalf. If you’re struggling with planning, you should give Simple Planning Solutions a call.

Hema

10 months ago

We appointed Michelle to act on our behalf to appeal against an enforcement notice served upon us. Michelle was prompt to deal with this, preparing the appeal statement within a week ready for submission. We have recently had the Appeal Decision in our favour. Result!Thanks again.

Roy H.

11 months ago

Michelle at Simple Planning Solutions is my go to for heritage related advice including the supply of heritage impact assessments and post permission building recording. Excellent service!

Adam F.

a year ago

I was totally lost and confused as to how to move forward with my planning application, a friend recommended Michelle and I’m so glad they did, she made me understand the process and made it really easy to move forward, I’m delighted with the service, price, and result I got! Highly recommend

Kevin G.

a year ago

Michelle helped with my planning application extremely professional throughout having completed the process and getting the application passed, very happy with the service form start to finish and would highly recommend Michelle

Jodie M.

a year ago

Thank you Michelle, for your patience perseverance and determination! We got the result in the end and all thanks to you! Great knowledge, understanding and advice! Can’t recommend Michelle enough for anyone looking for planning help! X

Anne K.

a year ago

The information that was given to us by Michelle was professionally and clearly explained to us as to why we wouldn’t be successful in our planning application at this stage. Michelle dealt with our query in a prompt and friendly manner.

Andrew C.

a year ago

Michelle was more than helpful navigating with planning even assisting me after we had the planning refused and we manged to secure the planning helping keeping my business of years going in these hard times I would recommend Michelle to anyone needing planning.She also helped me secure my builders for the job

Grant W.

a year ago

Outstanding service from start to finish, highly recommended!!

Martin D.

a year ago

Great service, held our hand all the way through our planning application and kept us updated throughout - resulting in an approval from a notoriously difficult local council!

Gus M.

a year ago

We had a unusual change of use planning application. Michelle immediately understood what was needed to manage our planning application. Knowledgeable, professional and easy to work with.

Katie P.

a year ago

Fantastic service from Michelle; her knowledge and experience really helped me to get the result I needed. Prompt replies to questions and work carried out were also part of the excellent service received.

Mandeep S.

2 years ago

Michelle played a key part in helping us process are application with Coventry city council.we where working against the clock to obtain a Lawful Development certificate allowing us to be able to complete the sale of are home.she was very quick and professorial in her response to are inquiry and after tell her the situation we were in, she was able to come to are home to take pitchers and get the application in to the council very promptly. which we would not have been able to do without her support.if i needed to ask her any question or was unsure of anything I was able to contact her and get a prompt response.Thank you for the great service as you have played a significant role in us being able to exchange on are family home.

Andrew

2 years ago

We came into contact with Michelle of Simple Planning Solutions as a result of a case involving a difficult neighbour and an incompetent local authority. At all times Michelle has got to the heart of the matter very quickly, never seeking to over-complicate anything or 'blind us with science.' Throughout she has been clear, helpful and pleasant. Her written skills are also first-class.The matter we are dealing with is going to Appeal and we had no hesitation in engaging Simple Planning Solutions.I cannot regard her work more highly or recommend her too highly.

Lee B.

3 years ago

Simple Planning Solutions have saved the day.After many planning issues and attempts to sort them ourselves we called upon Michelle, who has really gone above and beyond to get the job done. Very professional and gets results. In hindsight we should have used her from the very start.

Graham W.

3 years ago

Simple Planning Solutions do anything/everything to make planning permission as simple as possible. Michelle was always willing to answer all my questions and helped make the whole process as easy as possible. Her knowledge, skills and contacts made the whole process straightforward and efficient. Whatever project you are considering, I would strongly suggest having a conversation with Simple Planning Solutions and using them to make your life easier.

Aeolus Air Quality C.

3 years ago

Aeolus Air Quality Consulting worked with Simple Planning Solutions in March 2022, helping their client retrospectively discharge planning conditions.Michelle was honest, responsive and ensured we were paid by their client on time. We would recommend Simple Planning Solutions and look forward to working with Michelle in the future.

Richard H.

3 years ago

Understood the brief quickly and produced a balanced and exhaustive report that ultimately helped us secure planning in a conservation area. Was also excellent with advice during and after the process. Quick and easy to reach when needed, fully transparent with fees. Very much recommended, I would definitely use again.

Why Choose Me

As a leading planning consultant based in Coventry, Simple Planning Solutions Ltd offers independent, low-cost planning advice to Local Planning Authorities, Planning Consultancies, Landowners, Developers and Householders.

Planning Expert

15 years experience in local authority planning and enforcement.

RTPI Accreditation

As a Member of the RTPI, Michelle offers the gold standard of planning.

Local Expertise

Expert knowledge of the Coventry, Warwickshire and West Midlands area.

Peace of Mind

Before spending money on expensive architectural drawings, it makes sense to contact us for professional planning advice.

New Developments

Simple Planning Solutions has experience in promoting sites for development through the local development plan process.

Rural Projects

I have specialist knowledge in rural planning solutions. Using my experience I can secure planning permission to make your dream project a reality.

Services

Planning Permission

For the preparation of planning applications I can:

Undertake the initial research
Prepare a planning strategy
Advise you on the likelihood of gaining planning permission
Complete the relevant forms and certificates
Prepare the Planning Statement or Design and Access Statement
Advise on the necessary drawings and technical work (surveys) required
Liaise with architects to supply drawings
Liaise with technical specialists to supply surveys if required

Permitted Development

Do you need planning permission for your proposed building works?

I provide advice on whether your proposals require planning permission or whether you could build under ‘Permitted Development’.

If your works can be completed under ‘Permited Development’, working alongside local architects, we can provide all your plans for you and submit your application for a certificate of lawful development, or application for prior approval to the Council.

Appeals

Have you been refused Planning Permission? Received an Enforcement Notice or letter from the Council?

I can advise on a strategy in how to deal with the issue.

I can also prepare a Statement of Case for any appeal you wish to make.

Heritage Assets

The protection of heritage assets, such as listed buildings, conservation areas and scheduled ancient monuments and their setting, is an important part of the planning system. I can assist you with:

Heritage Impact Assessments
Statements of Heritage Significance
Conservation Management Plans

For Landowners and Householders

I provide a range of solutions for a range of planning needs, including specialising in:

Individual and replacement dwellings
Change of use
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Certificates of lawful development and use
Permitted Development Rights (Class Q changes of use)
Agricultural and equestrian buildings

For Local Authorities

I provide an interim solution to clearing a backlog of planning applications.

Land Promotion

Do you have land which you wish to promote for development?

I have experience in advising on promoting sites for development through the Local Development plan process.

How Can I Help You?

Planning Permission

Accreditations

Michelle Hill is a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. She offers independent, affordable planning advice to householders, landowners and planning consultancies as well as offering interim planning solutions for local authorities. With in depth knowledge of Coventry and surrounding areas.

Blog

All the latest from the Simple Planning Solutions blog.

AI and Planning Permission
by Michelle Hill
February 21, 2025
Biodiversity Net Gain Planning Practice Guidance
by Michelle Hill
January 26, 2025
Government Issue Updated National Planning Policy Framework
by Michelle Hill
December 14, 2024