Woldon has expertise in the planning process, regularly achieving successful outcomes with local planning authorities in London and across the UK.
We create strategies to deliver solutions for urban regeneration, masterplans and development frameworks. We advise on planning matters and building regulations on projects from unique residential houses to large developments. Woldon has established a network of relationships with specialist planning consultants, development agents and Historic England.
Our clients include public and private sectors, landowners, developers, investors and occupiers. With the commercial and strategic understanding of the environment, Woldon has successfully achieved a wide range of planning consents in the commercial, residential, leisure, tourism and agricultural sectors.
We work extensively within the heritage sector, successfully balancing tradition with innovative design and the client’s vision. With expertise in conservation and heritage buildings, we can provide clear direction to navigate policy constraints. Woldon will also work closely with local councils and communities to ensure confidence in the development process.
Our expertise:
• Planning permission in urban environment
• Listed building consent
• Conservation area consent
• Estate masterplanning
• Planning permission in sensitive landscapes including areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs)
• Rural diversification
• Replacement country houses and farmhouses
• Paragraph 79 new houses in the countryside
• Biodiversity net gain
• Public consultations
Consultant Collaboration
Woldon has expertise in managing a collaborative environment. We seek to provide a service that answers the clients objectives and brief as our first priority. The teams we seek to build and wish to be part of also deliver on this aim. The diagram above show the relationship of various consultants and their relationship to the client or client organisation.
As a tool for collaborative working we define roles and responsibilities of each team member with a matrix to ensure that gaps in expertise or not missed. As the project evolves it will be necessary for the design team to grow and for specialist advice to be sought from other disciplines. Woldon Architects has a network of consultants which we can draw on.
We are well versed in working and leading large multidisciplinary commercial teams of consultants and recognise the specialism required by the various specialists.
Woldon Architects have been my Architects on a substantial project to develop various commercial and residential sites in the West Country as well as achieving residential planning in Central London. From initial discussions through to design and application their services have been excellent. The creativity of their designs and their knowledge and ability to partner with others with combatable expertise in the process have resulted in successful planning approval.
Private Residential & Commercial Client
Case Study - New House in Listed Setting, Walled Garden House
Woldon have been appointed to design and deliver a high-quality residential scheme which comprises the replacement of three existing dwellings with two new dwellings, and the associated landscape works within a historic walled garden. Through several rounds of constructive consultation with Historic England and local planning authorities, planning permission and listed building consent has been granted for the erection of two dwellings following the demolition of one existing dwelling and the remodelling and incorporation of two further existing dwellings at a Grade II Listed Walled Garden House in Leicestershire.
A high-quality team of consultants has been assembled to develop the designs with Woldon Architects, including:
- Heritage Consultant: Worlledge Associates
- Ecological Consultant: Brindle and Green
- Arboricultural Consultant: Sylva Consulting
- Archaeological Consultant: CgMs
An analysis of historic maps has been undertaken to understand the heritage significance of the site. This information has been fundamental to the development of a design proposal which is responsive to the site history. The proposed development will further support the reinstatement of the wider historic gardens at the Hall and will enable the Estate to be placed on a sustainable footing for future generations.

Walled Garden Character
In order to develop an appropriate design for the site an appreciation of the important characteristics of the walled garden site was established through site visits, desktop studies, liaison with a heritage consultant, Historic England and the Harborough District Conservation Officer.
This highlighted a number of historical site characteristics which have been responded to in the design through:
- The use of appropriate materials which do not sit at odds with the existing retained buildings.
- The concentration of new structures within the walled garden along the north wall and optimisation of areas of glazing.
- An approach to the volumetric massing of structures along the north wall which allows for a legibility as an evolution of structures.
- The retention and improvement of a varied depth of elevation through exposing the garden wall on the north side and visually separating volumes either through the use of different materials or steps in the facade.
- The evocation, in volumetric form and extent of glazing, of traditional green house structures set within the walled garden.
