CHARTERED TOWN PLANNERS
EXPERTS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING
Maria Ferguson Planning
Since it was established in 2014, Maria Ferguson Planning has become a well-established and trusted source of planning advice and assistance across the North of England. Being based in Yorkshire makes us best placed to provide assistance throughout the region and further afield. Our experience in this sector includes advising on small projects for private individuals in rural and urban settings right through to larger residential and commercial projects. We can also provide advice as an expert witness in legal disputes or to assist with valuation. We also help people understand and object to unwelcome planning proposals. The planning system can seem a daunting minefield for those who are not familiar with it.
About Me
Maria is a Chartered Town Planner and has been working in the planning and development sector since 1998. She has worked at a senior level at several Local Planning Authorities, including Durham City Council and Teesdale District Council, in both Development Management and enforcement.
Maria worked in the public sector for around 9 years before moving into the private sector which means she has an in depth understanding of the way in which the system works and the role of officers and local politicians. Before establishing Maria Ferguson Planning, Maria headed up the regional planning team of local land agents George F White.
Maria has a detailed knowledge of planning issues, including those relating to special landscape areas such as National Parks, the Green Belt, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and sensitive built and natural environments. She has a particular specialism in rural planning issues, and has helped a range of land and estate owners with various projects in remote areas of the region.
She also has significant experience in the residential, commercial, leisure, energy and waste sectors.
Maria has assisted clients on a wide range of planning and enforcement issues as well as representing clients at appeals, public inquiries, and at tribunal.
She became a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2002.
Services
Planning applications
Planning appeals
Permitted development and prior approval
Objection letters
Representations at planning committee
Specialist reports
Enforcement matters and lawful development certificates
Expert witness
Testimonials
Residential
Commercial
Rural
Residential
“I would highly recommend her services!
"I own and let a house in Durham City’s Article 4 area as student accommodation, and the Council refused retrospective planning permission for works I undertook to it. Maria represented me at the planning committee where the application was refused, and then appealed the decision on my behalf, with a positive outcome. She was professional and courteous throughout and I would highly recommend her services!"
Ian Timlin
“She worked very hard to overcome the many hurdles in our way
"Maria helped us get planning on a piece of land in Malton. She worked very hard to overcome the many hurdles in our way and worked with our needs in mind alongside the architects to design a property that fulfilled our needs as well as those of the planners."
Brian Abbott
Baker-McVeigh & Abbott Ltd
“Maria was there every step of the way with down to earth advice
"Maria was highly recommended to me as I was looking for an experienced planning consultant to support our company with an objection to a nearby commercial development. I haven’t had to negotiate the complicated field of planning before and I need not have worried. Maria was there every step of the way with down to earth advice and the ability to separate the key issues from the peripheral. She wrote a thoroughly researched objection letter that crystallised the issues and helped us communicate succinctly with our leaseholders. Where needed, Maria has coordinated with specialist consultants on our behalf and made considered recommendations whenever required. I have been confident to follow all of Maria’s advice and I cannot recommend her more highly
Louise Richley
Director, St Ann's Quay Management Ltd
Commercial
“Maria took it over and handled it in a professional, timely manner
"I sought out a consultant following some serious issues with our change of use and planning application with North Tyneside council. Maria took it over and handled it in a professional, timely manner that relieved the stress and ultimately got us the decision we sought. Great job, thank you."
Paul Gurteen
Gurteen Transport Ltd
“Maria is extremely knowledgeable in planning matters
"We have used Maria’s services on two separate occasions in respect of planning applications at neighbouring properties. Maria was able to offer both professional guidance and respond to the planning applications with precision and accuracy thereby protecting our interests. Maria is extremely knowledgeable in planning matters and demonstrates an understanding of the methodology of planning officers which offered added gravitas to her advice and recommendations. We would not hesitate to use her again."
Stephen Gibbens
Trustlaw Solicitors
“Maria provided valuable input into the project team
"We worked with Maria from the early concept stage of the development of a new factory and office facility on a greenfield site. Maria provided valuable input into the project team during the development of our scheme and managed the full application throughout the planning process, including arranging for discussions with appropriate members of the planning department to ensure that our plans were cognisant of any issue sand requirements. This resulted in planning approval being achieved as submitted.
We will use Maria again in the future."
Des Webster
CA Group
Rural
“Maria’s involvement ensured these projects were successful
"We have worked with Maria on several planning applications over the last 8 years. A period of time which has seen us successfully build a wind turbine, cow sheds and milking parlour. All these projects involved balancing the objectives of the business, public opinion, environmental concerns and the restrictions that come from farming around a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Maria’s involvement ensured these projects were successful while we focused on the day to day running of the business."
Graham Tweddle, Director
Acorn Dairy
“Friendly, professional and thought-through pragmatic advice
"Maria has assisted several of my clients relating to general planning matters taking these from the start, through to completion and also helped in incredibly stressful times, following enforcement action by the planners. Friendly, professional and thought-through pragmatic advice. My clients have always been delighted with the service and advice Maria provides. I never have any qualms referring to her. Also, she’s great to deal with!"
Michael McGarry
McGarry & Co Solicitors
“Her experience and level of knowledge is excellent and she gives very good advice
"I have worked with Maria on several occasions and have always found her approachable, knowledgeable and thorough. Her experience and level of knowledge is excellent and she gives very good advice. She is happy to act on small development cases such as an extension to a house right up to large scale development proposals."
Jonathan Wallis
Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent
Planning appeals
Permitted development and prior approval
Objection letters
Representations at planning committee
Specialist reports
Enforcement matters and lawful development certificates
Expert witness
Testimonials Residential Commercial Rural
Residential
“I would highly recommend her services!
"I own and let a house in Durham City’s Article 4 area as student accommodation, and the Council refused retrospective planning permission for works I undertook to it. Maria represented me at the planning committee where the application was refused, and then appealed the decision on my behalf, with a positive outcome. She was professional and courteous throughout and I would highly recommend her services!"
Ian Timlin
“She worked very hard to overcome the many hurdles in our way
"Maria helped us get planning on a piece of land in Malton. She worked very hard to overcome the many hurdles in our way and worked with our needs in mind alongside the architects to design a property that fulfilled our needs as well as those of the planners."
Brian Abbott
Baker-McVeigh & Abbott Ltd
“Maria was there every step of the way with down to earth advice
"Maria was highly recommended to me as I was looking for an experienced planning consultant to support our company with an objection to a nearby commercial development. I haven’t had to negotiate the complicated field of planning before and I need not have worried. Maria was there every step of the way with down to earth advice and the ability to separate the key issues from the peripheral. She wrote a thoroughly researched objection letter that crystallised the issues and helped us communicate succinctly with our leaseholders. Where needed, Maria has coordinated with specialist consultants on our behalf and made considered recommendations whenever required. I have been confident to follow all of Maria’s advice and I cannot recommend her more highly
Louise Richley
Director, St Ann's Quay Management Ltd
Commercial
“Maria took it over and handled it in a professional, timely manner
"I sought out a consultant following some serious issues with our change of use and planning application with North Tyneside council. Maria took it over and handled it in a professional, timely manner that relieved the stress and ultimately got us the decision we sought. Great job, thank you."
Paul Gurteen
Gurteen Transport Ltd
“Maria is extremely knowledgeable in planning matters
"We have used Maria’s services on two separate occasions in respect of planning applications at neighbouring properties. Maria was able to offer both professional guidance and respond to the planning applications with precision and accuracy thereby protecting our interests. Maria is extremely knowledgeable in planning matters and demonstrates an understanding of the methodology of planning officers which offered added gravitas to her advice and recommendations. We would not hesitate to use her again."
Stephen Gibbens
Trustlaw Solicitors
“Maria provided valuable input into the project team
"We worked with Maria from the early concept stage of the development of a new factory and office facility on a greenfield site. Maria provided valuable input into the project team during the development of our scheme and managed the full application throughout the planning process, including arranging for discussions with appropriate members of the planning department to ensure that our plans were cognisant of any issue sand requirements. This resulted in planning approval being achieved as submitted.
We will use Maria again in the future."
Des Webster
CA Group
Rural
“Maria’s involvement ensured these projects were successful
"We have worked with Maria on several planning applications over the last 8 years. A period of time which has seen us successfully build a wind turbine, cow sheds and milking parlour. All these projects involved balancing the objectives of the business, public opinion, environmental concerns and the restrictions that come from farming around a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Maria’s involvement ensured these projects were successful while we focused on the day to day running of the business."
Graham Tweddle, Director
Acorn Dairy
“Friendly, professional and thought-through pragmatic advice
"Maria has assisted several of my clients relating to general planning matters taking these from the start, through to completion and also helped in incredibly stressful times, following enforcement action by the planners. Friendly, professional and thought-through pragmatic advice. My clients have always been delighted with the service and advice Maria provides. I never have any qualms referring to her. Also, she’s great to deal with!"
Michael McGarry
McGarry & Co Solicitors
“Her experience and level of knowledge is excellent and she gives very good advice
"I have worked with Maria on several occasions and have always found her approachable, knowledgeable and thorough. Her experience and level of knowledge is excellent and she gives very good advice. She is happy to act on small development cases such as an extension to a house right up to large scale development proposals."
Jonathan Wallis
Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent