Silverback Planning Solutions Ltd

Mark Turner is an extremely able planning officer and one of the best public inquiry witnesses in the business. He has a deep grasp of and enthusiasm for his subject, which translates into real attention to detail within written planning evidence. His presentational skills are excellent and he presents complex planning arguments at hearings and inquiries with flair and conviction.

Mark is extremely approachable, cooperative and provides highly professional and effective planning advice. With his many years of experience in senior positions at various Local Authorities, we have found his approach to be more relevant and less onerous than with other planning consultants. Accordingly, we have full confidence in his advice and extensive knowledge.

I first worked with Mark almost 20 years ago when I was a very junior barrister and he was an enforcement officer at Slough BC. Since then he has risen up through the ranks and we have kept in touch. We worked together over the last couple of years on significant planning enforcement matters arising in Great Yarmouth. He is an outstanding planning and enforcement officer. He combines a deep understanding of these two areas with an ability to quickly see the wood for the trees. I am sure that he will make a success of private practice and be an asset to any client who instructs him.

I was having my usual battle with the council who were refusing to grant planning permission for an extension on my house. Mark came into his own, fighting for me in my appeal. The end result was a very comprehensive and well thought out set of documents, that showed off all the errors in the council’s decision, and demonstrated how little my extension would affect anybody who lived anywhere near me. Basically, I live in the middle of nowhere, and it’s virtually impossible to see my house from any angle. So, what their problem was, I don’t know, but I think it was something to do with me. The planning inspector completely agreed with everything that had been put forward, almost quoting Mark word for word in her decision. Mark stayed in touch after the decision to make sure the builders could get straight on with the work. He was a great help to me, during a very frustrating time in my life.

Mark is a friendly and approachable planner - with years of knowledge and skill. Following a recent urgent planning request he turned around a document and detail within a day. His prompt response and availability were excellent. I would happily recommend Silverback Planning to others.

Mark offers vast experience in planning from both sides of the fence. He is a first rate planner who can be trusted to get it right.

One of my colleagues recommended Mark and Silverback Planning Solutions to me as he has previously given lectures to our students and these have always been well received. From the initial conversation scoping out our requirement to seek planning permission for polytunnels. Mark's expertise shone through and made it a very simple decision to award the contract to him. All the way through the process the advice given and Mark's ability to correspond with the planning functions at the council made me very pleased that I didn't have to do this myself. Safe to say without Mark getting the required permission would have taken very much longer than it did and he has saved us a lot of money.

We can strongly recommend Mark to help with planning permission solutions. He is professional and thoughtful having quickly helped us with a Historic planning challenge, communicating with both Architect and Council to remove our worries and present a compelling case which was accepted at first submission. We genuinely couldn't have done it without him. Thank you!

Mark is a highly knowledgeable and approachable planning consultant. We collaborated on a particularly challenging project, and his expertise was invaluable in guiding the client through the process. His support helped reassure them and manage their expectations from a planning perspective. I highly recommend working with him!

Mark's approach to the planning issues we experienced was exemplary. The developer had hidden several points of contention within a large and complex planning submission. Mark unpicked all the issues in what seemed like no time at all, prioritised the issues which were most likely to be heard sympathetically at the hearing, and developed a well structured plan of attack. Without Mark's vast knowledge and superb guidance we would have been lost in a sea of information, and no doubt would have presented a directionless, and therefore meaningless, objection at the hearing. Thanks Mark, for a professional yet personal service. Much appreciated.