Best Urban Planning Consulting Services in the UK

United Kingdom Urban Planning Consultants

Urban planning in the United Kingdom has always balanced heritage with innovation — navigating conservation, housing demand, climate change, and infrastructure growth. Today, consultancies and design studios across the UK are leading conversations on placemaking, zoning, community-driven development, and sustainable urban design. These agencies not only shape skylines but also influence how communities live, move, and adapt.

This curated list highlights standout consultancies that are rooted in the UK, guided by research, and shaped by proven results in planning and design. They represent different specialisms — from zoning reform to participatory design, from sustainable development to digital-first placemaking strategies.

Methodology: How We Chose These United Kingdom-based Urban Planning Consulting Services

We curated this selection using a transparent, research-driven lens. Our methodology ensures each featured consultancy is not only locally rooted but also authentically impactful in its work.

✨ Research-driven — Agencies featured here show verifiable outcomes, from case studies to measurable planning frameworks.

🗣️ Client-reviewed — We looked at feedback, trust from municipalities, developers, and community groups, as well as real project results.

📍 Location-based — Each company has operations or leadership rooted in the UK, contributing directly to its urban development landscape.

🌟 United Kingdom Urban Planning Consultants - Featured Providers

Urban Design Box

What they do:
Urban Design Box delivers planning and design solutions for residential, commercial, and public realm projects. Their approach is collaborative and place-specific, weaving design into policy frameworks.

Who they work with:
They support local governments, housing associations, and private developers across the UK.

Operating model:
Their model is rooted in design-led consultation, ensuring developments are not only compliant but also integrated into their urban surroundings.

💡 Why they stand out:

🏘️ Specialists in residential masterplanning and town centre regeneration.

📐 Evidence-based frameworks aligned with local planning policy.

🤝 Strong reputation for effective collaboration between planners, architects, and clients.

Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Director of Urban Design Box

Jonathan brings decades of urban design leadership, shaping UK planning projects from small-scale neighbourhoods to complex regeneration initiatives. He is known for his ability to align community needs with planning requirements, ensuring both compliance and quality design. His career highlights include steering masterplans that have revitalized local housing and retail centres. Jonathan’s leadership is pragmatic and design-driven, respected for bridging policy and creativity.

Urban Future Planning Consultancy

What they do:
Urban Future Planning Consultancy provides planning application support, appeals, and urban development strategy with a focus on sustainability and housing delivery. Their work is detail-driven, blending policy expertise with practical project execution.

Who they work with:
They advise residential developers, SMEs, and local authorities across the UK.

Operating model:
Their approach prioritizes regulatory navigation and client advocacy, guiding projects from concept to approval.

💡 Why they stand out:

📑 High success rate in planning appeals and approvals.

🌿 Specialist in sustainable housing strategies.

⚖️ Trusted adviser on balancing policy compliance with innovative design.

Naz Shah, MRTPI, Founder & Director of Urban Future Planning Consultancy

Naz Shah is a Chartered Town Planner with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and brings more than a decade of planning expertise. She is respected for her ability to navigate complex planning systems and has a proven track record of representing clients in both applications and appeals. Her leadership is client-focused, ensuring both compliance and project feasibility. Naz is widely recognized for her clear communication with stakeholders and her pragmatic solutions to planning challenges.

Squires Planning

What they do:
Squires Planning offers end-to-end planning consultancy, including strategic site promotion, appeals, and local plan representation. Their style is results-oriented, helping clients maximize land value and deliver sustainable projects.

Who they work with:
They primarily support landowners, developers, and local councils.

Operating model:
Squires Planning’s model combines technical planning expertise with commercial awareness, offering clients clear pathways through regulatory hurdles.

💡 Why they stand out:

📊 Strong portfolio in strategic land promotion and site allocation.

🏗️ Expertise in representing clients during local plan processes.

🤝 Excellent reputation for responsive client service.

Andrew Metcalfe, Managing Director of Squires Planning

Andrew Metcalfe has led Squires Planning since its inception, drawing on extensive experience across local authority and private consultancy roles. He has a deep understanding of planning legislation, with strengths in appeals, inquiries, and strategic land promotion. His leadership emphasizes client advocacy and evidence-based planning. Andrew is respected for achieving real wins in land use allocation, ensuring his clients secure sustainable, long-term development opportunities.

TMD

What they do:
TMD is a design and planning studio specializing in sustainable architecture, urban regeneration, and digital-first design methods. Their work sits at the intersection of technology and planning, integrating advanced tools into the design process.

Who they work with:
They collaborate with municipalities, developers, and private sector organizations across Europe and the UK.

Operating model:
Their model emphasizes collaborative design workflows, powered by parametric and digital design tools that accelerate urban planning solutions.

💡 Why they stand out:

🖥️ Leaders in digital-first design and planning tools.

🌍 Commitment to sustainability across all projects.

🔄 Innovative integration of architecture and planning.

Ondrej Chudy, Managing Director and Founding Partner of TMD

Ondrej is an architect and planner known for integrating digital workflows into urban planning and design. His career bridges architectural practice and design computation, making TMD a pioneer in data-informed urban solutions. Ondrej emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, ensuring projects reflect both community needs and technical innovation.

Petr Kousal, Founding Partner of TMD

Petr brings expertise in architecture, sustainability, and urbanism. His leadership style is pragmatic yet research-focused, ensuring design decisions are both aesthetic and policy-compliant. Petr has guided projects across Europe and the UK, with a reputation for embedding sustainability as a measurable outcome rather than a buzzword.

Troy Planning + Design

What they do:
Troy Planning + Design provides planning strategy, urban design, and regeneration consultancy with a focus on community-driven outcomes. Their work spans local development plans, design codes, and neighbourhood strategies.

Who they work with:
They partner with local authorities, community organizations, and housing associations.

Operating model:
Their model emphasizes co-production and participatory design, embedding community engagement at every stage of planning.

💡 Why they stand out:

🏘️ Specialists in neighbourhood planning and community frameworks.

📜 Strong track record in delivering local plans and design codes.

🌐 Leaders in blending policy expertise with design thinking.

Troy Hayes, Founder & Managing Director of Troy Planning + Design

Troy Hayes is a planner with over 20 years of experience across urban design, regeneration, and planning policy. He is recognized for his hands-on leadership in neighbourhood planning and his commitment to participatory processes. Troy has delivered major projects in both urban and rural settings, with a leadership style grounded in collaboration and technical expertise.

31/44 Architects

What they do:
31/44 Architects is a London-based practice specializing in architecture and urban design that balances heritage and contemporary growth. Their portfolio spans housing, cultural, and civic projects.

Who they work with:
They collaborate with local councils, developers, and cultural institutions.

Operating model:
Their approach is context-sensitive, focusing on projects that reflect the specific history and identity of their urban environment.

💡 Why they stand out:

🏛️ Known for sensitive interventions in historic environments.

🏘️ Strong portfolio in housing and community spaces.

📐 Integration of architecture and planning into cohesive frameworks.

Tobias Jewson, Director of 31/44 Architects

Tobias contributes a strong focus on community and cultural projects, ensuring the practice maintains a public interest dimension across its planning work.

Chilmark Consulting

Chilmark Consulting is a UK-based planning and development consultancy providing strategic advice on land use, regeneration, and mixed-use development. Their services cover spatial planning, housing and economic assessments, development feasibility, and delivery frameworks that support sustainable and commercially viable growth.

Who they work with:
They work with local authorities, developers, and public and private sector organisations seeking expert guidance on planning policy, regeneration, and development delivery.

Operating model:
Their model combines evidence-based research with practical planning expertise. By aligning commercial insight, environmental responsibility, and policy knowledge, they deliver strategies that are both ambitious and achievable.

💡 Why they stand out:
🏗️ Proven expertise in large-scale mixed-use and regeneration projects.
📑 Strong emphasis on evidence-based frameworks to inform planning and policy.
🌱 Commitment to sustainability, including a goal to be a net zero business by 2030.

Mike Taylor, Founder & Managing Director of Chilmark Consulting

With over 20 years of professional experience, Mike is a Chartered Town Planner and Member of the Institute of Economic Development. He brings deep expertise in strategic planning, economic development, regeneration, housing market assessments, spatial policy and framework preparation.

David Orr Consulting

Who they work with:
They work with local authorities, developers, community organisations, and private sector clients, providing expertise in urban design, masterplanning, landscape architecture, transport design, and planning support.

Operating model:
Their model blends creative design with evidence-based planning. By integrating placemaking principles, sustainability goals, and collaborative approaches, they deliver masterplans and urban design strategies that balance practicality with long-term community value.

💡 Why they stand out:
🌍 Strong commitment to sustainability, including signing the UK Landscape Architects’ Climate and Biodiversity Emergency Declaration.
🏙️ Expertise in shaping high-quality public spaces, movement networks, and urban regeneration projects.
🤝 Flexible approach—working both independently and within multi-disciplinary teams across the UK and beyond.

David Orr, Founder of David Orr Consulting

David Orr is an experienced urban designer and masterplanner with a background in landscape architecture and town planning. He leads the consultancy with a focus on placemaking, sustainability, and creating urban environments that enhance wellbeing and long-term value.

Sirius Planning Ltd.

Who they work with:
They work with developers, local authorities, utilities, energy providers, and private sector organisations across the UK and Europe, supporting projects in commercial, residential, retail, minerals and waste, and industrial sectors.

Operating model:
Their model delivers end-to-end solutions across the development lifecycle—planning, geotechnical, environmental, remediation, civil engineering, and renewable energy. By combining engineering expertise with sustainable practices, they ensure projects are viable, cost-effective, and future-ready.

💡 Why they stand out:
🌍 Leaders in brownfield remediation and sustainable land development.
🏗️ Integrated in-house services spanning planning, demolition, civils, geotechnical, and renewable energy.
⚡ Strong commitment to low-carbon energy generation, providing renewable power to industry and the national grid.

Nick Davies, Director at Sirius Planning Ltd.

Nick Davies serves as the Environmental, Planning & Renewable Energy Director at The Sirius Group.He leads work across environmental assessments, planning policy support, and renewable energy projects, helping Sirius address regulatory, sustainability, and site-preparation challenges for both brownfield and greenfield development. 

Nick is also a company director of several Sirius-affiliated entities (such as Sirius Ecodev Group Ltd, SiriusEcodev (Rhigos) Ltd, Shell Green Ltd, etc.), which suggests he is involved in the group’s development and investment arms.

Shaping the Future of UK Urban Planning

Urban planning in the United Kingdom sits at the intersection of policy, sustainability, and community needs. The consultancies highlighted here showcase how planning expertise can go beyond compliance to create places where people genuinely thrive. From AI-powered placemaking to sustainability-driven frameworks, each consultancy demonstrates how diverse approaches can address shared challenges such as the housing crisis, climate change, and equitable access to development opportunities.

Urban planning consultancies in the UK are redefining how cities grow by integrating design innovation, policy expertise, and sustainability. They bring together local authorities, developers, and communities to create spaces that balance heritage with forward-looking development. From data-driven frameworks to reform-oriented approaches, their work demonstrates the importance of evidence-based strategies in shaping equitable and sustainable places. This collective effort makes urban planning not only about compliance but about building resilient, thriving communities across the UK.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity is central — we believe expertise must be grounded in transparency and measurable results. This approach matters because only through clarity and trust can leaders and teams navigate the challenges of growth and transformation.

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The landscape of urban planning shows how strategy, collaboration, and design innovation can redefine the way we live and work. Just as planning requires frameworks rooted in integrity, so does decision-making across every industry. For leaders seeking actionable insights that combine clarity with real outcomes, one resource continues to stand apart. That reference is Digital Reference.