Our Founder
Daniel Gender-Sherry
Daniel is a Chartered Town Planner and founder of Axiom Planning with considerable experience in private and public sector planning and planning enforcement roles. With a keen eye for detail and an ability to resolve even the most complex planning issues, he currently leads the planning strategy on more than 21 paragraph 84e houses of exceptional quality in the countryside.
Prior to the founding of Axiom Planning, Daniel worked at Bidwells as an Associate planner, and before that, as a planning officer for Havant Borough Council, Winchester City Council and the South Downs National Park Authority.
Daniel specialises in advising clients seeking to build new homes of exceptional quality within the countryside.
More generally, his skills include advising national, regional and local clients on all aspects of development from the submission of planning, listed building and advertisement consent applications, and mixed use development appraisals. He holds an impressive track record in defending developers and operators against enforcement action.
Daniel is an active member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and regularly attends Barrister led, round table discussions on topical planning news and legislation updates. He has gained an enviable 94% success rate across a portfolio of more than 200 planning applications.
Daniel has previously shared his Garden Settlement expertise to an audience of 50 delegates in Bristol on behalf of a National Planning Law firm.
Grand Designs LIVE
In October 2021, Daniel spoke alongside Kevin McCloud and Richard Hawkes at Grand Designs Live on the subject of “Paragraph 84 - Is it worth the risk?”, at the NEC Birmingham.
Daniel has been invited once again to speak at Grand Designs Live, this time at London Excel in May 2022.
Recent Experience
Secured planning permission for the Country’s first Paragraph 80 (now 84) dwelling for a client near Ashford, Kent.
Planning lead on more than 21 active paragraph 84 projects across the country.
Project lead on what will be the country’s most advanced permaculture farm and NPPF Paragraph 84 dwelling in Cambridgeshire. Daniel has guided the project from inception, which included establishing the multi-disciplined team, navigating through multiple rounds of stakeholder engagement and providing robust planning advice. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are formerly supporting the project, owing to its exceptional environmental benefits.
Project lead on the provision of 5 ultra-luxurious and ecologically sustainable dwellings in South Cambridgeshire. This site is out of settlement and sits adjacent to a SSSI Nature Reserve.
Since 2019, Daniel has provided over 70 comprehensive site planning appraisals for discerning clients wishing to embark on building isolated countryside dwellings of exceptional design.
Secured planning permission for a new equestrian business consisting of new stables, indoor training facility, trainer’s accommodation and owner’s dwelling house.
“I first met Daniel as we were introduced to a paragraph 84 project he had begun working on while at Bidwells. I was immediately impressed by his attention to detail, thoroughness, tenacity and passion for the subject. Such things are rare to find. Furthermore Daniel is articulate and a thoroughly decent chap. I very much enjoy our discussions and his approachable manner.”
“I had the pleasure to work with Daniel at Bidwells providing landscape assessment services to his projects. His honesty and positivity top up his professionalism bringing a refreshing energy to the team. I really enjoyed working with him as his knowledge and skills brought a sound trust into the planning and design process raising the quality of work of the whole team! Daniel’s work ethic is incredible, he stays true to his passion while providing outstanding service!”