We have been successful in gaining approval for thousands of development applications (DA’s). These range from a simple carport (still highly contentious in some areas!) to very large scale developments involving iconic buildings such as those at Sydney Olympic Park and Centrepoint
Planning Proposals typically seek to amend Local Environmental Plans (LEP’s) to allow different uses (rezoning) or to increase development potential (increasing height and floor space limits). Amending an LEP is one of the most difficult planning outcomes to achieve because it involves both State and Local Government and you have no right of appeal to the Land and Environment Court.
Whilst development is a critical and necessary part of our society, we believe that it needs to be ‘done right’. We can prepare submissions to the relevant authority on planning policy issues such as draft LEP’s or State policies. Unfortunately we do not prepare objections to specific Development Applications (DA’s).
Many DA’s are now not determined by local Councils but independent Planning Panels. Being able to present a persuasive argument to a Panel is critical as this is where the decision is made to approve or refuse development.
Having good advice at an early stage of the development process is of critical importance in your financial modeling. We can identify how to exploit the applicable development controls in order to maximize the development potential of property.
Changes to the planning rules are coming thick and fast and we are up to speed with all of them including:
Low to Mid Rise Housing (LMR);
Transport Oriented Development (TOD); Affordable Housing Bonus';
The Housing Delivery Authority process for State Significant DAs and rezonings;
Changes to Complying Development.
We can advise you of the development potential of your site and assist in gaining approval for your project.
We assisted Adrian Hernandez of AJH+ Architects gaining an approval for ‘the Bowery’ mixed use development in Willoughby. The project won a Sydney Deign Award and is used as an example of good design by the Department of Planning, who make the following comments:
“The Bowery integrates into its context in a contemporary way while continuing Willoughby’s historical tapestry.”
A 4 storey apartment building lodged with North Sydney Council in March 2025. Includes a Clause 4.6 request to breach the height control.
“HELM has worked with Ingham Planning on every one of our highly awarded projects. We find them to provide salient advice and to have excellent intuition on what councils and planning panels will & won’t support. Their justification for breaching development standards is well considered, and their assessment is typically well respected by the consent authority.”
Mark Monk, Director and CEO, HELM
“Ingham Planning assists us with a wide range of planning tasks across our portfolio of properties. We love their personalized
service and the high quality outcomes they achieve for our business.
For example, through their intimate knowledge of the Planning Proposal process and the key players, they were able to not only achieve
rezoning of non-urban land to urban land for our land near Greta in the Hunter Valley, but a subsequent Planning Proposal to create a
far more flexible zoning for the site.”
Uri Windt, Director – Greta Estates Pty Ltd
A Planning Proposal for an uplift in development potential from 5 storeys to 12 storeys and from 1.5:1 to 5:1. Supported through the Rezoning Review process.
“Anka has used the services of Ingham Planning for many years as they always achieve outstanding results for our business. They provide high quality advice and have excellent communication skills which is so important in dealing with Council staff and Planning Panels.”
Andrew Boyarsky, Managing Director, Anka Property Group
Our emphasis is on quality advice and personalised service so you can be confident that you will receive our focused attention and that we will strive to assist in delivering a positive outcome.