We provide pre-application highways advice to help clients understand how access, layout and highway matters are likely to be viewed before a planning application is submitted. Our advice focuses on access feasibility, highway safety, network capacity and the expectations of the local highway authority.
Early highways advice provides clarity, reduces risk and helps shape proposals before detailed design or assessment work is undertaken.
What is pre-application highways advice
Pre-application highways advice is early, site-specific input on access and highway considerations prior to submitting a planning application. It helps establish whether proposed access arrangements are acceptable in principle and whether further transport assessment is likely to be required.
This advice is particularly valuable for sites with constrained frontage, new access proposals, sensitive highway locations or where development impact is uncertain.
Our pre-application highways advice typically includes:
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Opportunities and constraints of site location and surrounding highway network
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Initial access feasibility and access location options
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Visibility splay requirements and constraints
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Speed limits and site access safety considerations
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Junction form and suitability
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Collision records and highway safety considerations
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Pedestrian, cycle and public transport context
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Likely requirement for Transport Assessment or Transport Statement
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Early identification of potential mitigation
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Overview of local highway authority standards and expectations
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Likely costs for transport works to support an application
Where helpful, we provide simple sketches or diagrams to illustrate access principles.
Why early highways advice is helpful
Obtaining highways advice early can:
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Identify access constraints before design is fixed
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Reduce the risk of objection from the highway authority
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Avoid abortive design and assessment work
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Support more effective pre-application discussions
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Improve programme certainty
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Strengthen the planning submission overall
Early clarity allows transport and highways matters to be addressed proactively rather than reactively.
Our approach
We take a clear, proportionate and experience-led approach to pre-application highways advice:
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Review the proposal and highway context
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Identify realistic access and design constraints
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Assess highway safety and suitability in principle
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Consider likely local highway authority (and National Highways if applicable) expectations
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Provide clear written advice on risks, opportunities and next steps
Our advice is practical, balanced and focused on supporting informed decisions.
Who we support
We provide pre-application highways advice for:
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Residential development
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Strategic land and site promotion
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Commercial and employment uses
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Retail and leisure schemes
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Education and healthcare projects
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Energy and infrastructure developments
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Rural and edge-of-settlement sites
Our experience across England, Scotland and Wales allows us to tailor advice to different policy and highway authority contexts.
Need early highways advice for your site?
Get in touch and we will provide clear guidance on access, constraints and next steps.
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