The problem

For certain developments, local planning authorities and police advisers now expect a counter-terrorism risk assessment as part of the planning submission. Many project teams find out late, and then discover there are very few specialists who can provide one.

A late request can mean delays, rushed design changes and unnecessary cost. Starting early avoids all three.

Does my scheme need one?

Requirements vary between authorities, and the only reliable answer comes from your planning officer or the police Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs). In practice, an assessment is more likely to be requested where a scheme involves:

• Buildings or spaces where large numbers of people gather

• Hotels, venues, stadiums, entertainment and leisure uses

• Sites close to major transport hubs or other crowded places

• Large mixed-use or high-profile developments

• Locations in areas considered to face a higher threat, such as parts of central London

• Conversions or retrofits where the existing structure limits what can be done

Not sure? Get in touch and I can help you work out what is likely to be needed, and how to raise it with your planning team and the police.

What you get

• A full counter-terrorism risk assessment, specific to your site, covering the threat context, attack methodologies and their likelihood, vulnerabilities, and prioritised recommendations. It is written to a protective marking and handled securely.

• A public summary suitable for the planning register, containing recommendations and non-sensitive information only, so nothing sensitive reaches the public domain.

• An executive summary that busy project managers and planning officers can read in minutes.

• Practical design recommendations, explained with their rationale, covering matters such as hostile vehicle mitigation, standoff and layout, glazing and blast, CCTV and access control, and operational procedures.

• Optional design team workshop to turn the recommendations into design decisions quickly.

How the assessment works

1. Scoping call. We agree the brief, programme and outcomes.

2. Desktop review. I review plans, online presence, location, local context and the current threat picture.

3. Site visit. We conduct a walk-through of the site and its surroundings, looking at real-world access, approaches and constraints.

4. Threat and vulnerability assessment. I conduct structured analysis relevant to your type of development and location.

5. Risk assessment and design recommendations. I recommend proportionate measures, prioritised and justified.

6. Report and workshop. I deliver a written report with an optional session with your design team.

Why early design integration matters

Security measures built into the design from the start are cheaper, less intrusive and usually better looking than measures added later. A proportionate, early assessment helps you:

• Avoid redesign and delays late in the planning process

• Show planning officers and the police that security has been properly considered

• Make informed decisions about protective measures, rather than assuming the most expensive option is needed

• Prepare for what comes next under Martyn's Law

Martyn's Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 introduces new duties for qualifying premises, with requirements scaled to capacity. While the date it comes fully into force is yet to be confirmed, it is expected during 2027 and it makes sense for new and converted buildings to be designed with it in mind. A planning-stage assessment gives you a head start, and I can help you understand how the Act is likely to apply to your premises.

Why ProtectRM

• Police experience. Thirty years' service, including as a Counter Terrorism Security Coordinator advising on crowded places and the built environment.

• Qualified. Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Counter Terrorism Risk Management, plus crowd safety and health and safety qualifications.

• Planning-literate. I understand what planning teams need to see, and I write for them.

• Proportionate. Recommendations match the genuine risk, the building and your budget.

• Clear pricing. Fixed-fee quotations, so you know the cost before you start.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides whether we need a counter-terrorism assessment? Usually your local planning authority, often on advice from the police. If you are unsure, ask your planning officer early, or contact me and I will help you frame the question.

Does your assessment replace engagement with the police? No. It supports it. Planning teams generally expect you to engage with the police CTSAs. I can help you prepare for that conversation and respond to their advice.

Who sees the report? The full assessment is handled as a sensitive document and shared only with those who need it. A separate public summary, which excludes sensitive detail, can go on the planning register.

Can you work with our architects and design team? Yes. I regularly work alongside design teams, and the optional workshop is designed to turn recommendations into practical design decisions.

Can you help if we have already been asked for an assessment by the planning team? Yes. Send me the request and your plans, and I will confirm what is needed and how quickly I can deliver it.

Will the assessment guarantee planning approval? No assessment can guarantee an outcome. What it does is show that security risks have been properly identified and addressed in proportion, which is what planning teams need to see.