ERW Chartered Surveyors

We are not your typical consultancy. Led by Elfed R. Williams—a senior Chartered Surveyor and former Chartered Town Planner with over 50 years of experience—we bring a formidable combination of academic depth and practical grit to every instruction.

Based in Wales, we have built a reputation for taking on the cases others find too difficult. Whether you are a developer facing a complex refusal or a homeowner dealing with an enforcement notice, we apply forensic legal skills to persuade decision-makers and achieve the outcomes you need.

If your project has hit a wall, we are the team to call. We specialise in navigating the most technical aspects of the planning system:

• Planning Appeals: From written representations and hearings to full Public Inquiries.
• Enforcement Defense: Protecting your property rights against alleged breaches and lawfulness issues.
• Certificates of Lawfulness: Proving existing use or resurrecting "forgotten" permissions—including a notable case where we certified a 1973 permission as still extant.
• Expert Witness Testimony: Elfed is accredited by Cardiff University Law School as an Expert Witness in civil litigation, providing robust evidence in property disputes.

We have a deep affinity for the historic fabric of Wales. As members of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, we specialise in Heritage Impact Assessments and the conversion of Grade II listed structures.

From transforming redundant chapels into holiday use to securing permissions for agricultural worker dwellings, we ensure that traditional buildings have a viable, sustainable future. We work closely with a network of associate architects, ecologists, and engineers to provide a comprehensive, one-stop service for complex developments.