At LHCRT, planning approvals are one of the most critical — and often least visible — parts of canal restoration. They are the formal gateway between vision and delivery, and they require time, care, and coordination.
This blog, written by Derek Lord, Planning and Technical Trustee, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how we approach planning applications, and how they link to our wider strategy and operational plan.
Why planning approvals matter
Every restoration project begins long before the first spade hits the ground. Before we can build a towpath, install a lock, or reprofile a channel, we must secure planning permission from the relevant local authorities.
This is not a single-step process. It involves:
- Early conversations with planning officers
- Detailed planning applications with supporting documentation
- Coordination with landowners, ecological consultants, and engineers
- Alignment with our operational timelines and funding availability
Planning approvals are not just about compliance — they are about clarity. They set out what is to be constructed and ensure that our work is safe, sustainable, and in harmony with the communities and landscapes we serve.
What goes into a planning application?
Preparing a planning application is a significant undertaking. Each submission must be tailored to the site and scope of the proposed work, and supported by a range of specialist reports. These normally include:
- Ecological assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain
- Flood risk and drainage strategies
- Water supply studies
- Heritage impact statements
- Landscape and visual impact studies
- Construction Management Plans
- Access and traffic management plans
These documents are not optional extras — they are essential to demonstrating that our proposals are well-considered, responsible and in accordance with the council’s planning policies.
We engage with planning officers early in the process. This ensures we provide the right information in our planning applications. These conversations help us understand local priorities, anticipate potential concerns, and refine our proposals before formal submission.
Timing is everything
Planning applications must be submitted at the right time — not too early, and not too late.
We consider:
- When we expect to have funding in place
- When volunteers and contractors will be available
- When ecological conditions allow for safe and sensitive work
- Where the project fits within our overall operational plan
Submitting an application too early risks delay or expiry of planning consent after three years, and repeated fees. Submitting too late can stall progress and miss seasonal windows. That’s why our planning team works closely with trustees, site leads, and fundraisers to align approvals with delivery.
Linking to our strategy
Our planning activity is guided by our operational plan. This sets out the projects and programmes across our sites within two years. It helps us prioritise, sequence, and coordinate our efforts — ensuring that planning approvals are not isolated tasks, but part of a coherent restoration strategy. It ensures future work for our volunteers.
This plan is reviewed regularly and shared with volunteers and members. It reflects our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and long-term thinking.
Planning consultations and liaison
Lichfield District Council planning policy promotes the canal restoration and provides a protected route for the future canal. In addition to submitting our own planning consultations, we also review and comment on other planning applications for land next to the line of the canal. This allows us to integrate the canal with adjacent land, for example getting access points from development to the towpath.
We liaise with council planners with regular quarterly meetings to discuss our progress and ensuring our comments on other applications are taken into account.
Planning approvals may not be the most visible part of canal restoration, but they are among the most vital. They are how we prepare the ground — legally, technically, and strategically — for the work ahead.
Derek Lord
Planning and Technical Trustee
Useful links
Explore our operational plan
Read more about our strategy
Meet our trustees
