News

Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust has now ‘officially’ opened. The flagship discovery centre incorporates an education centre, café and gift shop. The reserve supports over 4,300 species of plants and animals including 300 that are...

Business resilience planning and public engagement Client: Epping Forest Heritage Trust Epping Forest, described by Queen Victoria as the ‘People’s Forest’ in 1882, is London’s largest open space. The Forest covers 6,000 acres, stretching from East London’s Manor Park...

Client: Caerphilly County Borough Council Llancaiach Fawr Manor, is a Grade I listed heritage asset with a rich history which can be traced back to the early 16th century.  The heritage attraction is established in the visitor market place and is managed by Caerphilly...

Seven Sisters Country Park business plan Client: South Downs National Park Authority The ownership of the 280-hectare Seven Sisters Country Park has now been transferred to the South Downs National Park Authority. The South Downs National Park Authority will be...

Client: Blaby District Council Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned by Blaby District Council to explore the potential to introduce a canal boat passenger or similar service, such as a water taxi, on the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Line). How can we...

Caerphilly Castle Masterplan Cadw has announced £10m of investment to ensure Caerphilly Castle remains a world-class visitor attraction. Investment will be targeted at conservation, improving site access, and introducing new interpretation. A visitor centre will...

Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned to work with the Trustees of the Cambridge Museum of Technology to prepare a business development plan to identify and evaluate opportunities to generate additional earned revenue. We have also been commissioned to...

Coatham coastal tourism masterplan, April 2021 Client Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been appointed by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to carry out a site and market review to identify future options to support...

Nevis sustainable tourism and visitor management plan Client: Nevis Landscape Partnership Duncan Bryden, a leading rural development specialist, based in the Highlands has been commissioned to carry out a programme of research to develop a fresh and innovative...

Client: Enfield Council Planning Solutions Consulting is working with Enfield Council to assess approaches to enhance the revenue generating opportunities at Forty Hall, a key cultural and heritage asset managed by the Council. Forty Hall is an impressive Grade I...

Ramsgate Water Sports Feasibility Study Client: Thanet District Council Building on our earlier feasibility work, we are working with the Council to update the original study and define a preferred development for a beach club/water sports hub that appeals to local...

Working with Blue Sail, experts in destination development, we have been appointed by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to prepare a Destination Management Plan. Redcar and Cleveland benefits from an attractive coastline, a range of beautiful landscapes and rich...

Client: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council The Kirkleatham Walled Garden project is leading to the restoration of a Grade II-listed historic Walled Garden. The walled garden will be brought back into use after 30 years and will create a mix of formal and produce...

National Marine Parks As the winter nights draw in and I reflect upon the adventures of the past few months, many have been around the coast of our glorious island.  From the golden sands of West Wittering beach to puffin watching along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path...

Client: Southampton City Council Planning Solutions Consulting has been appointed as sub-consultants to Pritchard Architecture to work on a heritage project for Southampton City Council. The Council own a number of listed heritage assets including houses, vaults,...

Strategic Tourism Destination Action Plan St Albans and District, October 2020 Client: St Albans BID Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned to prepare a tourism profile and strategic tourism destination action plan for St Albans and wider District. How...

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is the oldest independent museum in Wales and Planning Solutions Consulting has been appointed to work with the Trustees and Curator to carry out an Options Appraisal to identify and evaluate options to help create a sustainable future for...

Riverside Park Visitor Experience Masterplan, August 2020 Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been appointed by Huntingdonshire District Council to prepare a visitor experience masterplan for Riverside Park in St Neots. Riverside Park is close to the town centre...

Client: Forestry England Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been commissioned by Forestry England to work with the Management Team at Dalby Forest, a leading recreation site in the North East of England. Our work is focussed on identifying and evaluating...

The terra firma Consultancy, landscape architects, have been commissioned by Chichester District Council and East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish Council to prepare a vision for the coastal towns of East Wittering and Bracklesham and to develop a suite of projects...

Client: Huntingdonshire District Council Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been appointed by Huntingdonshire District Council to prepare a visitor experience masterplan for Priory Park in St Neots. The park extends to approximately 80 acres (32 hectares) and...

Fort Road Recreation Ground is the largest multi-sport and recreation facility in Newhaven. Recent improvements have seen the creation of a pump track and the complete rebuilding of the skatepark. Funding is also in place to carry out improvements to the basketball...

Client: Derbyshire County Council The wider tourism destination development programme is based around developing the visitor economy within an area roughly bordered by Chesterfield, Worksop and Mansfield. Our work is focussed on testing the proposition to develop the...

COVID-19 and Country Parks Client: Hampshire County Council Planning Solutions Consulting is working with Hampshire County Council Countryside Team on carrying out a module of primary research focussed on customer sentiment, attitudes and influences following the...

Client: Markerstudy Group Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned to identify and evaluate opportunities to develop the visitor offer at Bewl Water in an appropriate and sustainable way. Bewl Water is a leading recreation and activity tourism destination...

We send our regards to those trying to cope in the current Covid-19 crisis. The tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors have been affected globally with the sudden and dramatic disruption caused by the emergence of Covid-19. Many businesses and organisations have...

Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park, January 2021 Client: North West Leicestershire District Council Moira Furnace is a 19th-century iron-making blast furnace set within ancient woodland alongside the Ashby Canal and is a Historic England Scheduled Ancient Monument....

Gnoll Estate Country Park is a popular country park and covers approximately 219 acres. As part of a former country estate the landscape is attractive and there are distinct zones of landscape incorporating woodland, an 18th century landscaped parkland and lake areas....

Client: Worthing Borough Council We are working with Worthing Borough Council to advise on the commercial leisure opportunities associated with a site within Brooklands Park, a prominent seafront park located in Worthing. To find out more about this opportunity please...

Heritage: Heritage England reports that Shropshire woodland that hid Charles II is to be restored. Arts Council England (ACE) have announced £160m fund to support culture organisations during COVID-19 Pandemic. BBC brings art and culture to people’s homes with special...

Natural Resources Wales with its partners is responsible for managing Afan Forest Park, one of the leading mountain biking destinations in Wales. Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been commissioned to work with NRW and key stakeholders to further develop...

Some articles and news items we have been reading. Heritage: According to a recent article, Yorkshire and the Humber's heritage is worth £2 billion to the economy. Researchers at the University of Brighton have been experimenting with 3D printing technologies as a way...

Planning Solutions Consulting is working as a sub-consultant to Duncan Bryden Associates, a leading rural development consultancy, who has been commissioned to carry out a feasibility study by 3 to 1, a Community Interest Company.   The project is focussed on...

We hope you find the links below interesting. Heritage: Over 500 historic places have been added to the National Heritage List for England in 2019 and Historic England have highlighted 21 fascinating places. Garfield Weston and Art Fund extend their partnership and...

Options appraisal for a former Pit Head Baths site Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has commissioned Planning Solutions Consulting Limited to carry out an options appraisal on the future of the former Pit Head Baths site in Llanhilleth, Blaenau Gwent. How can we...

We hope you find the links below interesting. Heritage: The National Trust help care for and protect the first Welsh bible through the use of hydro power. For the first time, the National Trust’s Sissinghurst Castle Garden will open during winter, for visitors to...

South London Botanical Institute commercial development strategy Working as sub-consultants to Bowles Green, we have been commissioned to help prepare a commercial strategy for the South London Botanical Institute. How can we help? If you have any questions about...

We hope you find the links below interesting. Heritage: An interactive version of the historic visitor’s book at the former home of Winston Churchill, has been launched by The National Trust for visitors to look at handwritten entries from over 700 visitors dating...

Park in the Past, Lake Feasibility Study, October 2019 Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned by Cadwyn Clwyd, in partnership with Park in the Past Community Interest Company to carry out a feasibility study to identify and evaluate options to develop the...

Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been commissioned by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to carry out a feasibility study for a new café within Rother Valley Country Park, a leading destination park managed by the Council.   Find out more about Rother...

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum funding success Cefn Coed Colliery Museum will receive £1.8m of funding from the Valleys Taskforce in addition to more than £1.5m which has already been committed by Welsh Government for the repair of the headgear. This is part of more than...

George Eliot Visitor Centre Feasibility Study and Options Appraisal Client: Warwickshire County CouncilPlanning Solutions Consulting Limited has been commissioned by Warwickshire County Council to work with Council Officers and volunteers from the George Eliot...

Redcar Seafront Cinema – soft market testing Client: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Planning Solutions Consulting Limited has been commissioned by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to carry out a soft market testing and consultation exercise for a new cinema...

Planning Solutions Consulting have been approved and added to Lot 3 for the Coastal Partnership East.  The Coastal Partnership East brings together the coastal management expertise from four local authorities into a single team. The Maritime Local Authorities of Great...

National Park Business Planning, June 2019 Client: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to prepare business plans for Oriel y Parc Visitor Centre, Castell Henllys...

Planning Solutions Consulting  has been commissioned to work with Blackpool Council at Stanley Park Lake, where a range of ‘shallow water’ watersports such as canoeing and kayaking have been introduced on the lake. Supporting infrastructure includes a centre with...

Client: Sussex Wildlife Trust We have been commissioned by the Sussex Wildlife Trust to produce a business plan for the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre project. How can we help? If you have any questions about preparing a business plan or strategic development plan for a...

Working for a landowner, we have been commissioned to work on a rural diversification consultancy project. The work is focused on identifying and assessing opportunities to introduce leisure/tourism uses within a farm setting. How can we help?If you have any questions...

Quarry watersports market assessment and options appraisal Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned by a Trust to advise on the further recreation opportunities related to a quarry as it is reinstated. How can we help? If you have any questions about...

Assessing the impact of a residential development on an activity centre We have been commissioned by a charity to advise on the impact which an adjacent development will have on their residential activity centre.  Our work is focused on identifying impacts on the...

Good news for a project we have worked on. West Norwood Cemetery which is one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries has secured £4.6 million of Lottery Funding (Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund) to take a major restoration project forward. The...

Watersports hub feasibility study, Hartlepool Hartlepool Borough Council has commissioned Planning Solutions Consulting to carry out a feasibility and development potential study for a watersports centre as part of the waterfront regeneration strategy in Hartlepool....

Carmarthenshire County Council has appointed Planning Solutions Consulting carry out a feasibility study to evaluate the opportunity of developing and modernising visitor facilities at Parc Howard Museum in Llanelli. These broadly include access improvements, visitor...

Visitor attraction feasibility study, Hartlepool, January 2019 Hartlepool Borough Council has commissioned Planning Solutions Consulting to carry out a feasibility and development potential study for a visitor attraction and events offer as part of the waterfront...

PSC is an advisory consultancy working in the visitor experience and wider tourism sectors. The core focus of our work is  carrying out market assessments, feasibility studies, operational reviews and options appraisals along with preparing supporting business plans....

Planning Solutions Consulting has been commissioned to carry out a demographic market analysis to support the development of a tourist accommodation product. Find out more about our demographic analysis service How can we help? If have any questions about carrying out...

Income generation at parks Both Kevin Brown and Richard Linington presented at the Park Conference 2018 - Funding and Value: Parks and countryside solutions for 2020.  The conference was timely and important conference as it explored the issues of valuation,...

South Downs National Park Business Case Client: South Downs National Park Authority The South Downs National Park is the UK’s newest national park, which follows the path of the South Downs chalk ridge and runs from Eastbourne in the East to Winchester in the West. At...

Activity Centre feasibility studies Client: Swansea Council Planning Solutions Consulting have been commissioned by Swansea Council to carry out a feasibility study for two residential activity centres which the Council manages. How can we help? If have any questions...

As part of a wider project for a Council Planning Solutions Consulting have been commissioned to advice on the opportunities related to dark skies tourism. Image kindly supplied by Ross Grant.

Portsmouth Water are proposing to develop a Winter Storage Reservoir to the north of Havant. Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir will provide a number of significant recreational and amenity facilities, which will attract visitors from the local communities of...

Cleethorpes Resort North Masterplan, October 2018 Cleethorpes Resort North Masterplan - Cushman & Wakefield has been commissioned by North East Lincolnshire Council to prepare a deliverable masterplan for the northern part of the resort, which includes the area...