Freelance planning and urban design support
RGM Planning and Design provides specialist freelance support for planning, urban design and neighbourhood planning projects across the UK.
Led by Rafa Grosso Macpherson (MRTPI), an experienced planner and urban design specialist, the service supports a range of clients with thoughtful, policy-informed planning and urban design advice.
This includes the preparation of clear and robust work across planning representations, site assessments, design guidance, neighbourhood planning and strategies.
For freelance planning or urban design support, please get in touch.
About
Rafa Grosso Macpherson is a Chartered Town Planner and urban design specialist with a background in UK local government, national park planning and consultancy. His work focuses on helping communities, councils and project teams understand places, assess development proposals and prepare clear, well-evidenced planning and design advice. He brings particular experience in neighbourhood planning, design guidance, planning representations, public engagement and the review of development proposals in sensitive settings. Rafa’s academic background in urban design, international planning, sustainable urban policy and law supports a practical, design-led and policy-informed approach to planning work.
Services
Planning Representations and Objections to Applications
Clear, well-argued representations are prepared on planning applications, drawing on planning policy, site context, design quality and wider material considerations. This service supports local residents, parish councils, community groups and other clients seeking robust responses to development proposals. The approach combines planning judgement with urban design analysis to present concerns in a structured, credible and persuasive way.
Design Guidance and Design Codes
Support in the preparation of design guides, design codes and other place-based planning documents that respond to local character while promoting high-quality development. The work focuses on translating vision and objectives into a practical guide for local authorities, neighbourhood planning teams and the public. This includes analysis of settlement pattern, built form, public realm, movement and landscape context, amongst others.
Urban Design and Development Appraisal
Urban design input is provided on development proposals, with particular attention to layout, placemaking, public realm and overall design quality. This includes the review of emerging schemes, written design analysis and advice on how proposals can respond more effectively to context and planning policy. The service helps clients identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities so that design issues can be addressed clearly and at an early stage.
Neighbourhood and Community Planning Support
Support is provided to parish and town councils, neighbourhood planning groups, organisations and individuals at different stages of the plan-making process. This can include neighbourhood plans, priority statements, local strategies and related community-led planning documents. Support may cover policy drafting, evidence review, site assessment input, consultation material, produce documents (e.g. Local Green Space assessments), and broader strategic advice.
Planning Application and Pre-Application Support
Planning and urban design support is available at pre-application and application stages, including submission of application and liaison with the local planning authority, the informal review of proposals and advice on the strength of a scheme before submission. This can include review of draft drawings and documents, comments on planning strategy, design quality and policy fit, and support in shaping pre-application enquiries or submitted material.
Planning and Policy Drafting Support
Freelance support is available to planning consultancies and independent practitioners requiring reliable input on project-based work. This may include policy drafting, review of consultation responses, preparation of planning statements, editing of reports and contributions to wider strategic planning documents. The service offers flexible senior-level support to help teams manage workload while maintaining quality and consistency.
Get in Touch
Please feel free to contact Rafa to discuss your project or ideas and how we could help.