Pre-application advice

We can provide clear and professional advice to individuals or businesses who are considering applying for planning permission.

Type of advice

• Information on process - If you would like advice on the application process and procedures. Please note this service does not offer advice on the acceptability of a scheme.
• Formal pre-application service - This service is chargeable, and provides informal officer advice on a specific scheme. The fee is dependent on the type of advice you would like and the size of the development.
• Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) - This service is chargeable and provides a bespoke service to cover both pre-application advice and the planning process. The fee is dependent on the level of service required.

Why get formal pre-application advice?

• We’ll tell you if planning permission is necessary.
• We’ll let you know about any key issues that need addressing before you submit a formal development proposal.
• We’ll let you know if your proposal is clearly unacceptable.

What will you get?

• Written summary of advice
• A meeting with a planning officer where applicable (not available for category 6 / householder developments)
• Information on relevant policies, guidance and the planning requirements
• Advice on estimated timescale to process applications
• The information required to make applications valid
• Informal officer comments on the scheme
• Section 106/Unilateral undertaking matters, including likely heads of terms and estimated costs
• Best practice consultation methods

Get developer and business advice

Disclaimer

Any advice given by Council officers for pre-application enquiries does not constitute a formal response or decision of the Council with regard to future planning consents. Any views or opinions expressed are given in good faith and to the best of ability but without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application, which is subject to public consultation and ultimately decided by the Council. You should therefore be aware that officers cannot give guarantees about the final form or decision that will be made on your planning or related applications.

Although the advice note will be brought to the attention of the Planning Committee or an officer acting under delegated powers, it cannot be guaranteed that it will be followed in the determination of future related planning applications and in any event circumstances may change or come to light that could alter the position. It should be noted that if there has been a material change in circumstances or new information has come to light after the date of the advice being issued then less weight may be given to the content of the Council’s pre-application advice of schemes.

Pre-application confidentiality

Please be aware, if requested by a third party, any pre-application advice given is likely to be made publicly available as part of the online documents if we receive a related planning application. If you consider that any information contained in your pre-application submission, or any of the advice you received, should not be made available to the public upon receipt of a related planning application, the Council will need to be notified of this in advance of a full application, and the reasons why you consider this information should be exempt.