Arrow Planning Limited

10/06/2026

It's our birthday! 🎈

Nine years ago, Arrow Planning began with Mark, a garage and the belief that great planning could make a real difference to communities.

This week we are celebrating our ninth birthday as a team of 12 and we could not be prouder of how far we have come together.

Our growth has never been just about numbers. It has been built on the dedication of every person who has joined this team, bringing their talent, energy and commitment to the work we do. We have built a team that supports one another, shares high standards and genuinely cares about delivering the best outcomes for our clients and communities.

We are equally grateful to the clients, consultants and stakeholders who have placed their trust in us along the way. Your support, collaboration and partnership have helped shape who we are and continue to inspire the work we do. As we look ahead to our tenth year, we remain as committed as ever to helping good projects move forward and creating places with purpose.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far. Now time for some cake !

09/06/2026

The world of planning can feel complicated enough without adding unnecessary jargon.

Too often, we see advice that is wrapped up in technical language, acronyms and planning terminology that leave people with more questions than answers. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Good planning advice should help you understand your options, your risks and your next steps. Not only that, but it should give you clarity and confidence to make informed decisions about your project.

At Arrow, we focus on straightforward communication. We explain planning issues without unnecessary jargon, meaning our clients are well informed and understand not just what is happening, but why.

Because when advice is clear, decisions become easier, projects run more smoothly and people feel more in control of the process.

If you're looking for planning advice that's practical, honest and easy to understand, we'd be happy to have a conversation.

04/06/2026

We’re proud to be supporting Ben Smith and Steven Smith this season as they compete in the British Historic Rally Championship.

The team were back in action over the weekend of 9th/10th May for Round 4 and we’re delighted to see them currently leading on points heading into the next stages of the championship. This is such a brilliant achievement and a well deserved recognition for all of their hard work, preparation and determination behind the scenes.
We're also proud to recognise the contribution of Dansport, whose expertise and craftsmanship helped bring the car to life, providing the team with a fantastic platform for success.

There are plenty more events still to come, with both planning to compete across all rounds of the championship this year, and we’re looking forward to following their journey throughout the season. It’s great to see the Arrow Planning logo out there too, flying the flag alongside such a promising team. Best of luck to Ben and Steven for the rounds ahead, we’ll be cheering you on all the way! 🏁

📸 Jamie Moone Photography

01/06/2026

Complex planning applications are rarely quick or straightforward. Marlow Studios shows how judgement, trust, perseverance and clear advice can help keep difficult schemes moving through uncertainty, refusal, appeal and delivery. This final blog in our three-part series, steps back once more to reflect on what the project tells us about delivery. Not just how complex planning applications are approved, but what it takes to keep them moving when the process becomes long, uncertain and demanding.

https://arrowplanning.co.uk/marlow-studios-lessons/

25/05/2026

A planning consultant should do more than submit applications. When it comes to a planning partner, clients should expect one who brings clarity, keeps projects moving and one who helps navigate challenges before they become problems.

Team Arrow believe good planning support means:
- Clear and honest advice
- Regular communication and accountability
- Collaboration across teams and stakeholders
- Commercial awareness and practical thinking
- Momentum, even when projects become complex.

The world of planning can often feel uncertain or slow-moving. Our role is to reduce friction, provide confidence and help clients stay in control of their projects from start to finish. We work as an extension of our clients' team: a dependable partner focused on progress, problem solving and positive outcomes. If you're looking for a planning partner who will stay alongside your project from first conversations through to delivery, we would love to talk.

22/05/2026

Complex planning isn’t about following policy - it’s about judgement. Success in major planning applications comes from understanding the planning balance, applying strategy and knowing when to hold firm, adapt or reset.

In our last blog, we told the story of Marlow Studios: a major, ambitious project that took a long and demanding route through the planning system before ultimately securing permission at appeal. The next blog in the three-part series steps back from that story and asks a broader question: what does Marlow Studios tell us about how planners approach difficult decisions, apply professional judgement and reach a sound planning balance?

Read here:

What Marlow Film Studios reveals about planning balance, strategy and judgement in major planning applications, appeals and complex decision making.

21/05/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that we are finalists in the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2026!

To be shortlisted in the Mid-Size Planning Consultancy of the Year for the South East Region is a huge moment for our team. We have worked hard to build a planning consultancy that is proactive, dependable and genuinely collaborative. A team that combines commercial awareness with a people-focused approach to planning.

This shortlist reflects the dedication of our team, the trust of our clients and collaborators and the exciting projects we are fortunate to help shape across the region. We are proud of the role we play in helping projects move forward positively through every stage of the process. A big thank you to everyone who has supported Team Arrow and congratulations to the other shortlisted consultancies.

We are looking forward to the awards evening on the 9th of July. Wish us luck!

20/05/2026

At Arrow, we believe that public consultation is such an important part of the planning process. Not just because it is required, but because to us, good places are shaped by listening, understanding and engaging with communities properly. Over recent weeks, our team has attended three very different consultations, each with its own unique conversations, priorities and local perspectives.

These events are a great reminder that planning is so much more than applications and reports. It is about communication, collaboration and helping projects keep momentum while responding thoughtfully to the views and concerns of the community. We support projects throughout the full planning lifecycle. In practice, that means helping clients navigate complexity, identify any challenges early and maintain positive dialogue with stakeholders along the way.

No matter who we are speaking with, whether that's residents, local authorities or project teams, we believe that better outcomes are achieved by being present, approachable and engaged. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to attend and speak with us at these consultations.

19/05/2026

Planning is rarely a solo effort. Look behind every successful project and you'll see a network of people collaborating and working together: clients, consultants, local authorities and project teams all contributing different expertise and knowledge to move things forward.

We believe that the strongest outcomes often come from early open conversations, relationships built on trust and a shared commitment to finding solutions early. At Arrow, we value working collaboratively at every stage of the process. To us, good relationships build confidence, reduce friction and help maintain momentum when projects face challenges. Progress is easier when everyone has a shared objective and is pulling in the same direction.

Need a planning wingman? Get in touch, we'd love to chat.

14/05/2026

We're heading to UKREiiF 2026 next week!

Hannah Leary, Planning Director and Hannah Bryant, Associate Director, will be there representing us. If you're working through planning challenges, looking to unlock site potential or want a clear steer on how to move a project forward, it would be great to catch up.

We focus on making the planning process smoother, faster and more commercially effective, meaning you can stay in control from the outset. Both Hannahs will be there throughout the event, so do reach out and drop them a message.

Hope to see you there!