About Us
Nigel Hartley BA BArch BTP RIBA MRTPI
Chestnut Planning was established in 2003 by Nigel Hartley. Nigel Hartley studied architecture at Liverpool University graduating in 1982. After 5 years in practice, he then studied town planning. He is corporate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Nigel specialises in design related town planning particularly in housing design and development. Nigel also has considerable experience of development related to conservation areas and listed buildings.
Chestnut Planning’s projects range from smaller projects including individual houses, extensions, shops, restaurants and medical surgeries to larger developments including houses, flats and factories.
Nigel provides reports and statements to support planning applications and appeals. He works with specialists including transportation and highways engineers, ground contamination specialists, property lawyers, ecologists and landscape architects.
Nigel has appeared as an expert witness at public inquiries and in court, giving evidence on town planning and design issues.
Chestnut Planning offers its services in the following sectors:
• Residential
• Factories
• Shops and restaurants
• Offices
• Healthcare
• Extensions
• New development
Chestnut Planning is a sole practitioner practice where Nigel Hartley provides all services direct to clients, drawing on a network of other consultant, experts and associates to provide support on projects.
Our Services
Planning Advice
Pre application enquiries to investigate feasibility of development proposals.
Feasibility studies.
Planning Permission
Planning statements.
Design and access statements.
Negotiations with planning authorities.
Briefing experts – noise, flooding, odour and other issues.
Planning applications.
Applications for lawfulness certificates.
Planning Reviews and Objections
Reviews of planning applications and advice to affected people and communities.
Assistance to local residents groups, businesses and organisations.
Assistance to individuals.
Expert reports including reports for legal proceedings.
Planning Appeals
Submission of appeals by written representations, informal hearing and inquiries.
Planning statements.
Expert witness.
Heritage
RIBA Conservation Registrant Architect.
Heritage Statements.
Proposals in Conservation Areas.
Listed Building Consent applications.
Enforcement
Negotiations with planning authorities.
Applications for retrospective planning permission.
Enforcement appeals.
Testimonials
Steve MDirector Basement Construction Company
I am very pleased to have worked on several occasions with Nigel.
He has always managed the most tricky planning applications and is a true expert at making things come to fruition.
I cannot speak highly enough of him and look forward to working closely with him on our next big project.
Mark LProperty Investor Cereal Manufacturing Business
Nigel has dealt with a wide variety of planning issues at our factories and on our portfolio of property investments. We always get him to help with any planning projects or problems with confidence that he will find practical solutions.
Elizabeth BResident, Balham Residential Client
I just wanted to thank you personally for all your hard work on our behalf, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say how grateful we are.
Your report is really fantastic as it was last time as well and so valuable to us all, thank you.
Miranda JResident, Barnes Residential Client & Developer
Nigel Hartley won a planning appeal for me. In addition to this he sorted out a threatened enforcement action when a builder constructed an extension on my home larger than shown on the plans. Nigel has also got planning permissions for me on other projects. I would definitely recommend him as a planning expert to deal with all sorts of planning problems – he is very pleasant to deal with, efficient and thorough at all times and therefore I approach all new projects with him with the utmost confidence.
Frensham Vale Action GroupResident Group, Frensham Local residents group objecting to a major development proposal
We are delighted to report that following Waverley Borough Council’s Refusal to grant planning permission and the developer’s subsequent demand for an Appeal Hearing, that the Inspector has ‘Dismissed’ their Appeal. Our special thanks go to Nigel Hartley of Chestnut Planning, who we employed as our consultant and spoke up on our behalf at the hearing demonstrating his in-depth knowledge of planning.