Making your planning application
Before you start
Before you submit your planning application it is always best to ensure that you know the following:
- Whether you need planning permission,
- Whether you need a Design and Access Statement
- Whether you need a Design for Maximum Access Statement
- Planning policies that may affect your application, - for example the UDP
- Which form you need
- Whether you need to apply the adopted Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD
- Whether you need to apply the adopted Planning Obligations Strategy SPG
- How much you will have to pay for your application to be dealt with.
Forms and fees guidance will be provided in this part of the guide.
If you have any problem in deciding or are in any doubt, please contact the Customer Service Centre at planning@richmond.gov.uk or telephone 020 8891 7300 to discuss your proposal, or call to see the duty planning officer at The Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ, Monday to Friday 1pm to 4.30pm.
Where do I start?
Once you have established whether you need planning permission, the next stage is to fill in the relevant application form. There are a number of different forms for different types of development and it is important to use the correct form.
Application forms are available from this part of the website, but please check with us if you are not sure which form to use. Alternatively, you can collect forms from our reception or we can send you one by post. Please call our Customer Service Centre on 020 8891 7300 or email us at planning@richmond.gov.uk . When you ask for an application form, please say briefly what you want to do so we can send the right form. There are details and guidance notes about how to make a planning application on the form.
Completing forms
When you are ready to make your application, select and print the forms and certificates you need. There are different forms for different types of development - it is important to complete the correct form and certificate.
You may submit either printed forms by post or view details on making applications online here.
However you may wish to appoint someone with the right professional experience (such as an architect, planner or surveyor) to complete the form for you. If you appoint someone to draw up plans for you, they may be able to provide this service also.
It is important that you remember to sign all copies of your application form and certificate and enclose the correct fee.
Please check the form to see how many copies you need. Use the scale of fees to calculate the correct fee.
Help us to help you. For some applications - for example, where the proposal would involve alterations to the highway, the removal of trees, access issues or food preparation - we have to consult people about your application. By giving us an extra set of plans, we can carry out the consultation more quickly.
Location plans
When you submit a planning application, it must be accompanied by six copies of a site location plan at A4 paper size and at a scale of 1:1250, site centred (in addition to any plans showing the work that you want to do). A set comprises six extracts (four for planning applications, two for building control applications). All copies must be returned with the appropriate application.
We are not able to provide copies but they can be obtained from Ordnance Survey through many local outlets. To find your nearest outlet, please visit the Ordnance Survey website. Details of stockists include telephone numbers and postal addresses for requests by mail.
Copies of Ordnance Survey maps may be supplied to both private and professional persons to accompany applications under planning and building regulations. Copies are not supplied for any other purposes.