The Ascendancy of Political Consultants in UK Planning: Navigating a Troubled System for Client Success

Introduction

Town planning in the UK has always been a complex interplay of policy, public interest, and economic forces. But in recent years, an additional and increasingly influential player has emerged—the political consultant. No longer confined to the corridors of Westminster or local government election campaigns, political operators have become a critical part of the planning process.

For any developer seeking approval for a larger-scale scheme, budgeting for political engagement is now as routine as legal fees or environmental assessments.

This is not necessarily because the merits of a development are unclear, nor because local planners are incapable of evaluating an application on its own terms. Rather, it is because the system has evolved in such a way that political navigation is now as important as technical compliance.

But does this trend raise difficult questions about the integrity of the UK planning system?

The fact that political expertise is often a prerequisite for getting projects through the process is a troubling reflection of where we are. And yet, as a planning professional, I am under no illusion - I will engage with the system as it exists, not as I wish it to be, because my duty is to deliver for my clients.

The Growing Influence of Political Consultants

It is no exaggeration to say that large-scale development in the UK is now as much about political strategy as it is about planning policy.

Consider the evolution of a major planning application. Theoretically, a developer submits his project designs, planning officers assess them against national and local policy, and a decision is made based on material planning considerations. But in reality, this process is often shaped by political influence well before an application is even lodged.

Public consultation events, engagement with councillors, briefings with planning committee members, media narratives—all of these are now carefully managed and, in many cases, steered by individuals whose expertise is in political campaigning rather than urban planning.

For developers, this is not a matter of preference but necessity. Planning decisions, particularly at a local authority level, are rarely made in a vacuum. They are subject to electoral cycles, community pressure, and internal political dynamics within councils. The decision-making process is as much about perception as it is about planning law.

How often with your case officer tell you the application has been pulled from the May committee because it is 'silly season'?

Developers who fail to appreciate this reality risk seeing their projects stalled, delayed, or outright rejected—not necessarily because they fail on policy grounds, but because they misjudged the political landscape.

The People Behind the Process

Who, then, are these political consultants who have become so indispensable to the planning process? Their backgrounds are often remarkably similar.

Many are former councillors who understand the internal workings of local government. Others are aspiring politicians using their expertise in planning politics as a stepping stone towards higher office. Some have worked as parliamentary aides, political researchers, or campaign organisers before moving into consultancy.

In short, these are individuals who know how to craft political messages, build support within a council, and anticipate where opposition will emerge. They understand the psychology of planning committees and the pressure points within local authorities. And because they move in the same circles as those making the decisions, they can act as crucial intermediaries between developers and decision-makers.

As planners, our role is to shape cities, towns, and neighbourhoods in a way that aligns with policy and best practices. A political consultant’s role is to ensure the political environment is favourable enough for that vision to be realised. The two may seem distinct, but in today’s planning system, they are inextricably linked.

The Ethical and Systemic Implications

It is worth asking: what does this say about the state of UK planning?

On one level, the rise of political consultants is simply a response to the realities of the system. The planning process has become increasingly politicised, and where there is complexity, there will always be professionals offering expertise to help navigate it.

In reality, it is hard to ignore that decisions are shaped by political considerations: How vocal is the opposition? How engaged are local councillors? Will approving this scheme create electoral risk?

This is not to suggest that political engagement is inherently wrong. Local democracy is a crucial part of the planning system, and elected representatives have a legitimate role in shaping the built environment. But when planning outcomes become less about policy and more about political strategy, something fundamental has gone wrong.

The challenge for planners and developers is that this is the system we operate in. Ethical concerns do not change the fact that political realities must be accounted for. It may be frustrating, but it is unavoidable.

The Political Consultant Pipeline

There is an interesting career trajectory that emerges from this landscape.

Many political consultants do not see planning politics as an end in itself but as a stepping stone to higher office. Today, they are advising on local planning battles; tomorrow, they may be special advisers to MPs, or even MPs themselves.

It is not uncommon to see individuals move from local government into political consultancy, and then back into political office. The experience they gain influencing planning decisions provides valuable insight into how politics operates on the ground. Those skills are readily transferable to parliamentary politics, ministerial roles, and policy-making positions.

This creates a cycle in which political engagement in planning is not just a necessity for developers but an avenue for political career advancement. The relationships built in planning committees today could well shape national policy discussions in the future.

For developers and planners, this is another reason why political engagement cannot be ignored. The figures shaping planning decisions today may well be the ones drafting planning reforms tomorrow.

Navigating an Imperfect System

For all its flaws, the UK’s planning system is not going to change overnight. The role of political consultants is only likely to grow as planning remains a contested and politically charged process.

For those of us in the industry, this means adapting rather than resisting. As much as we may wish for a system where planning decisions are made purely on the basis of policy and best practice, the reality is that politics will always be a factor.

That is why, despite my reservations, I will continue to engage with political consultants where necessary. My job is to deliver outcomes for clients, and if that means recognising the political realities of the system, so be it.

However, this should not be mistaken for complacency. While engagement with the current system is essential, so too is advocating for a planning process that is more transparent, efficient, and policy-driven.

If the reliance on political consultants tells us anything, it is that the system is not functioning as it should. That should concern anyone who believes in a planning system that serves the public good rather than political expediency.

Conclusion: Time for Reform?

The increasing role of political consultants in the planning process is both a reflection of and a response to a deeply flawed system. Their involvement is not a luxury but a necessity for those seeking to navigate the complex intersection of planning policy and local politics.

But while their influence is undeniable, it should prompt serious reflection. If planning decisions require political strategists as much as they require policy experts, then we must ask whether our system is working as intended.

For now, those of us in the planning profession must work within the realities of the system. But that does not mean we should accept it without question. The goal should always be a planning process where good developments succeed on their merits, not on the basis of political manoeuvring.

Until that day comes, political engagement will remain a core part of any major development strategy—whether we like it or not.