Some people find their workloads winding down as the festive break approaches. For others, like Stephen Bell, it is the busiest time of year. 

When he talked to Building, the chief executive of £30m turnover planning consultant Turley was immersed in the pre-Christmas rush which swamps the planning sector each December as clients push to get their applications submitted before the big day. This happens despite the fact that council planning officers are unlikely to have looked at them before the new year.

“It’s always the way,” he says wearily. “It must go in before the end of the year. Even though it doesn’t go anywhere”.

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