MPD Built Environment Consultants: Clearer Pathways to Planning Success

When we first reviewed MPD Built Environment Consultants, it became clear they are more than just planning advisors; they are a full-spectrum consultancy with deep sector knowledge, accredited professionals, and a commitment to turning complex development visions into actionable reality. Based in Newton-le-Willows and operating across the North West, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, MPD serves a wide variety of clients, including landowners, developers, housing associations, local authorities, and private individuals. 

What stood out was MPD’s combination of professional credentials, range of services, and flexible, client-centred approach, positioning them well to support projects ranging from small householder extensions to large-scale commercial, residential or heritage developments. 

Here’s how a tailored growth-oriented positioning and communication strategy could highlight MPD’s strengths and help attract more clients.

 

Who are MPD Built Environment Consultants 

MPD Built Environment Consultants is staffed by a team of accredited professionals, including Chartered Planning & Development Surveyors (MRICS), Chartered Town Planners (MRTPI), conservation experts accredited by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), archaeologists (ACIfA), and a Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB). This gives them a strong grounding in planning policies, heritage matters, economic viability assessments, development management, and project management. 

With over 30 years of collective industry experience, the firm has established a wide network spanning local authorities, housing associations, architects, surveyors, and other property stakeholders, enabling them to support clients through all stages of their projects. 

Whether the project is a modest residential extension, a change-of-use application, conversion of heritage buildings, a large new build, or a commercial development, MPD brings both technical expertise and strategic insight. Their experience includes dealing with listed buildings, conservation areas, greenbelt sites, brownfield regeneration, and large-scale housing developments. 

 

Why Professional Planning Consultancy Matters

Navigating the UK planning system can be challenging. Planning laws, local and national policies, conservation regulations, environmental assessments, permitted development rules, enforcement issues, and potential objections all combine to make each project unique and potentially risky.

For landowners, developers or property investors, missteps at any stage can lead to refusals, delays, unexpected costs, or sub-optimal use of land. That’s where professional consultancy from a firm like MPD becomes invaluable.

MPD’s multi-disciplinary credentials mean they can:

• Provide informed feasibility studies and site appraisals (including planning history, constraints, policy reviews) to assess development potential realistically.
  
• Provide tailored planning advice and applications, whether for residential, commercial, change-of-use, heritage, or mixed-use schemes, ensuring compliance with local and national regulations.
  
• Manage the full planning application process: pre-application discussions, submission, liaison with authorities, handling consultations, and follow-up until decision.
  
• Handle planning refusals and appeals, including submissions to the Planning Inspectorate, representation at hearings or inquiries, and expert evidence for complex cases, essential for high-stakes or sensitive developments.
  
• Manage the discharge of planning conditions, permitted development notifications, certificates of lawful use/development, and negotiations with all relevant statutory consultees, making sure projects get moving as soon as possible after approval.
  
• Offer project-management or coordination, especially when multiple specialists (e.g. architects, ecologists, heritage consultants, engineers) are needed — reducing complexity and risk for clients.

This combination of technical, legal and practical expertise means MPD can significantly increase the likelihood of successful planning outcomes, saving clients time, money, and stress.

 

The Strategy for MPD

To help MPD stand out in a competitive planning and consultancy market, and attract a broader set of clients, we recommend a strategy focused on clarity, authority, and accessibility.

Emphasise Credentials & Multi-disciplinary Expertise

• Lead with credentials: On the website and marketing materials, highlight that MPD’s team includes MRICS surveyors, MRTPI planners, IHBC conservation specialists, ACIfA archaeologists, and an MCIOB construction manager. This communicates seriousness, breadth and professionalism.
  
• Showcase accredited membership bodies: List memberships of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), adding professional credibility and trust.

Demonstrate Impact with Case Studies & Testimonials

• Leverage existing case studies: MPD already publishes a range of case studies (from residential extensions to commercial redevelopment, heritage work, HMO conversions, and change-of-use applications) that show their versatility.
  
• Include client testimonials: Real client feedback (especially from more complex or successful cases) helps build trust and shows MPD isn’t just capable, but reliable and effective. For example, clients have praised MPD for professionalism, navigating refusals/appeals successfully, and their deep planning-system knowledge.
  
• Highlight complex & sensitive work: Promote cases involving listed buildings, conservation areas, greenbelt land, brownfield sites or major developments, as these are often the most challenging for developers and where expert support is most valuable.

Clear, Transparent & Flexible Service Packages

• Feasibility & initial advice packages: Encourage potential clients to start with a site evaluation or desktop feasibility study. MPD already offers an initial desktop evaluation or site visit to assess development potential. 
• Full-service planning & project-management packages: For clients needing end-to-end support, from concept, through planning permission, discharge of conditions, to project-management, position MPD as a single-point contact.
  
• Transparent fees & process explanation: Demonstrate clarity around fees (what’s included, what’s not, e.g. local authority fees, external consultants), reporting structure, and progress-updates, to give clients confidence in how projects will be handled.
  
• Flexibility for different scales of project: From small householder extensions to large-scale developments, this breadth should be made apparent to attract a wide variety of clients.

Outreach & Education to Raise Visibility

• Guide content & informational resources: Publish blog articles or guides on topics such as ‘What makes a good planning application?’, ‘Navigating heritage and listed-building consents’, ‘When to use a planning consultant vs architect’, or ‘Common pitfalls in planning appeals.’ This positions MPD as a thought leader and helps attract clients seeking guidance.
  
• Regular updates of case studies and success stories: Use slightly anonymised but real project summaries to demonstrate track record, especially valuable in high-trust sectors like property development.
  
• Engage with local authorities, housing associations, developers and landowners: Leverage MPD’s existing relationships and reputation to build partnerships or referral networks, especially for complex or specialist projects (heritage, brownfield, greenbelt, mixed-use).

Why This Approach Matters 

By combining professional credibility, transparent services, broad expertise and strong communication, MPD can differentiate themselves from generic planning-service providers or single-discipline consultants.

This positioning:

• Builds trust with potential clients who may be sceptical or unsure of the planning system, especially for complicated or high-value projects.
  
• Attracts a wider client base, from homeowners seeking extensions to property developers, housing associations, heritage-site owners, and institutional clients.
  
• Maximises chances of successful planning outcomes, reducing risk of refusals, appeals, delays, or compliance issues via expert guidance.
  
• Allows for scalable growth, with flexible packages, project-management offerings and the ability to take on more complex, larger or higher-value schemes.

Helping MPD Build On Its Strengths

MPD Built Environment Consultants already stands on a strong foundation: a capable multi-disciplinary team, decades of experience, a wide service offering, and a network across local authorities, housing associations and property professionals. By sharpening their communication, packaging their services clearly, demonstrating real-world successes, and positioning themselves as experts for both simple and complex planning challenges, they are well placed to become a go-to consultancy for anyone looking to unlock development potential across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands. For more information, get in touch with our team today.