No-Win-No-Fee Planning for Self-Build
Add a powerful bolt-on to your practice: Permission in Principle for self-build plots with no upfront planning cost. We handle the risk, you keep full control of design and fees.
Architects First, Developers Never
Livedin is an architecture-led practice focused on enabling distinctive self-build neighbourhoods. Our mission: more great design, plot by plot. Self-build produces loved homes and richer streetscapes than one-size-fits-all models. Our role is to remove planning risk so good architects can do their best work.
Why Partner With Us
Expand your practice without the risk
Keep full control of your client relationships and design work while we handle planning risk for cautious or challenging sites.
- No-Win-No-Fee Planning
We handle Permission in Principle applications with no upfront cost to your clients. Success fee only if permission is granted.
- Keep Full Control
Your contract, scope, and pricing stay yours. No referral fees. No lock-ins. You remain front-of-house with your client.
- Better Outcomes
Self-build creates more characterful places and exciting design commissions compared to volume developer schemes.
- Win Cautious Briefs
Perfect for edge-of-settlement sites, sensitive contexts, or previously refused applications. Test the principle first.
- Differentiate Your Practice
Offer a unique self-build plots pathway alongside your developer work. Another string to your bow.
- Protect Your Time
Avoid unrewarded deep design on marginal sites. Invest once permission is granted and proceed with TDC.
When to propose the bolt-on
Perfect for challenging sites where traditional planning approaches carry too much upfront risk.
Ideal scenarios:
- Edge-of-settlement / sensitive context sites
- Stalled or previously refused applications
- Competitive pitches where you need a unique offering
- Landowners considering volume developer sales
- Small or awkward parcels developers ignore
20-second pitch script:
"Because this site is marginal, we can add Livedin to apply for Permission in Principle on a no-win-no-fee basis — self-build plots only. If permission is granted, they're paid a fixed success fee by you; we then continue with the technical details and your homes under our normal agreement. If not, you pay them nothing."
Simple & Transparent
How the partnership works
A straightforward process that keeps you in control while we handle planning risk.
- 1You Propose the Bolt-On
- Offer the no-win-no-fee PiP option to your landowner client for self-build plots.
- 2Simple Agreement
- We issue a 2-page PiP Success Agreement with your client. Fixed success fee, transparent terms.
- 3We Handle Planning
- Livedin prepares and submits Permission in Principle, manages officer dialogue and committee if needed.
- 4You Continue Design Work
- If permission is granted, you proceed with Technical Details Consent and house designs under your standard appointment.
Clear scope, clean boundaries
We handle planning risk at Permission in Principle stage. You keep all design and technical work.
What's included (Livedin)
- 48-hour feasibility triage and strategy note
- PiP Stage 1 application (drafting, submission, officer engagement)
- Representation at committee (if required)
- Appeal (if refused) under same no-win-no-fee commitment
- Regular plain-English updates for stakeholders
What's not included (keeps things clean)
- ×No design package at PiP stage
- ×No layouts or house designs at this stage
- ×Post-PiP delivery remains your remit
- ×TDC and design services under your agreement
- ×Your fees and contract stay unchanged
Ready to Use
Website copy you can paste
Add this module to your website and proposal templates to differentiate your practice.
Optional Extra — No-Win-No-Fee PiP (Self-Build Only)
Some sites are cautious calls—edge-of-settlement, previously refused, or just "too marginal." We can add our partner Livedin to apply for Permission in Principle (Stage 1) on a no-win-no-fee basis. If permission is granted, they invoice a fixed success fee; we then progress Technical Details Consent and your home designs under our standard appointment. If permission isn't granted, there's no fee to them.
- Test the principle with no upfront planning cost
- Self-build only — better legacy, often better receipts
- Our contract and fees stay ours
Frequently asked questions
- Do my fees change?
- No. Your contract and fees are entirely yours; this bolt-on does not alter them.
- Who pays Livedin and when?
- The landowner pays a fixed success fee only if permission is granted (decision notice issued). Otherwise, no fee.
- Is there any lock-in to the architect for TDC?
- No. There's no lock-in. In practice, most clients continue with the architect who brought the site to permission.
- Will Livedin keep going if the PiP is refused?
- Yes. Appeal is included in the same no-win-no-fee commitment. If the appeal fails, there is still no fee.
- What about third-party costs (e.g., surveys)?
- We agree any required third-party spend transparently with the landowner in advance.
Ready to expand your practice?
Add the Optional Extra module to your website and send us your first candidate site for a 48-hour feasibility check.
Our friendly team is here to help.
info@livedin.co.uk
Office
Come say hello at our office HQ (by appointment only)
St Marys Mill, Chalford, Stroud, Glos
Phone
Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm.
01453 733 913