Pre-application planning advice

This sets out the details that you need to submit for us to be able to answer your enquiry and identifies the information which is essential together with any additional information which will help us to give you a fuller response.

The fee (which includes VAT) for householder enquiries, including domestic outbuildings within the garden, fences, walls and alterations to an access is £90.

Enquiries relating to the need for planning permission and likely outcome should be made via the Householder Enquiry form and include the information set out below. 

If you require a more formal determination as to whether planning permission is required for your proposal then you can submit an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness - proposed development. The fee for this for a householder proposal is £103 and forms are available and an application can be made by going to the Planning Portal Apply for Certificate of Lawfulness. The fee for a Certificate of Lawfulness for other types of development will depend on the size and nature of what is being proposed.

Exemptions and reductions for pre-application enquiries

No charge:

• adaptations for disabled people
• an enquiry relating to a previously refused or withdrawn planning application
• a follow up enquiry within six months of the refusal or withdrawal of a previous planning application

Information we need from you

Essential:

• location plan showing where the site is
• plan showing the position of the proposal in the site
• sketch drawings showing what the proposal looks like from each side, ideally including the dimensions
• photographs of the site and its surroundings

We’ll provide an informal officer’s opinion on the need for planning permission and / or the likely outcome of such a planning application including:

• any relevant previous planning decisions
• summary of the main planning considerations and objectives of relevant policies
• comments on the design and relationship to neighbouring uses
• any restrictions which should be considered, for example, Tree Preservation Order (TPO)

We will aim to respond within 15 working days or an agreed extension of time.

Where it is not possible to secure a comment from external consultees within the above timescales, the council will respond and forward the consultee comments separately.