The planning applications advice service

Should you be considering an extension or alterations to your property, starting a new or improving an existing business, or whether you are a developer and considering a new build scheme, obtaining advice from the planning department before you submit a planning application can normally assist you in the following ways:

• Save you time and money from refused or withdrawn planning applications; expensive planning appeals and a drawn out planning process
• Identifies the information requirements for planning applications 
• Give you a without prejudice indication as to whether there is a likelihood that the planning authority would support your proposals
• Advice on any changes to your proposals that will improve its chances of being successful
• Reduce the amount of planning conditions on any permission
• clarification on matters you express information on or relevant to your proposal to assist you through the planning process such as planning agreements, the community infrastructure levy (CIL), the decision making process; delegated or Committee decision
• quicker planning decisions once you make an application
• direct contact and engagement with the case-officer who may be dealing with your application once it is submitted

You can make an application for planning advice through our pre application service. Advice will be given in writing, and the service can include a meeting to discuss your proposals directly with an officer for an additional fee.

The pre application advice and fee, relates to a single proposal and a single meeting.

Please note that multiple options under a single pre application will each incur a fee of half the pre application fee. In these cases the Council will contact you to confirm the calculated fee or that you confirm your primary option. An amendment to the current submission, and before the Council issues its written response will attract a fee of one third of the pre application fee.

The guidance given is informal advice and does not bind the Council in any future decision it makes. However, in our experience, where pre application advice is obtained and incorporated into any scheme, developments are more likely to obtain planning permission.