In property development, time is money - and delays are rarely caused by what happens on site. Most of the problems that derail a project start long before a digger arrives. Assumptions at acquisition, overlooked planning nuances, or hidden constraints can set projects on a slow course before they even begin.

We see early planning advice as the single smartest investment a client can make. It’s not about paperwork; it’s about foresight.

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Why “early” matters

The earliest stage - before you finalise the brief or close on a site - is when risks are easiest to spot and cheapest to solve. Waiting until designs are frozen or contracts signed means every adjustment comes with cost and delay attached. Early feasibility work flips the script: risk, opportunities are mapped, and confidence is built before commitments harden.

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Lessons from the ground

On residential schemes, early feasibility checks allows our team to de-risk planning challenges and give developers clarity on programme and cost expectations before they moved forward. On larger mixed-use projects,, early involvement means coordinating complex needs and client requirements from the outset - avoiding issues that could otherwise have escalated mid-delivery.

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What good early planning looks like

• Policy clarity – understanding how planning policy and planning guidance will impact ambition.
  
• Risk anticipation – surfacing likely objections or technical pinch points before design locks in.
  
• Viability checks – ensuring services, access, and infrastructure support the scale of development desired
  
• Stakeholder mapping – preparing for the voices that will matter, from local authorities to investors.
  

The payoff

Projects that embrace this mindset move faster, face fewer surprises, and protect value from day one. Early advice isn’t an optional add-on; it’s the foundation of every successful scheme.

The cheapest time to protect your investment is before you’ve spent it. Foundation’s role is to bring foresight, structure, and clarity from the very first decision.