Pre-application advice

When you get pre-application advice we'll provide guidance to make sure your application has all of the correct supporting information to accompany it, saving you money and time later.

Providing all of the correct information at the start of the application process will avoid delays and the application is more likely to meet the statutory timescales for a decision.   

Extensions, alterations to your home Householder Proposals

We'll consider your proposal and you'll get a written response within 4 weeks.

The response will detail: 

• If the proposal would comply with the relevant planning policies, 
• The main issues
• Any concerns with the proposal
• Information you'll need to provide with the application

We'll also carry out a site visit. If we can't get access we'll contact you to arrange a time.

All other development, including new and replacement dwellings

We'll consider your proposal and we'll visit the site. 

Internal consultations will take place with the relevant people. For example highways, trees and landscape. Their responses will accompany the advice letter.  

We aim to respond to pre application advice within 5 weeks however more complex proposals may take longer and require a bespoke timetable.  

A meeting to discuss the proposals may be provided upon request and at our discretion. This may be with internal consultees dependent on their availability.
 

Householder fees

• This costs £192 including VAT

This applies to the following types of development:

• Extensions
  
• Works to listed dwellings or those within Conservation Area
  
• Outbuildings/garages
  
• Roof alterations
  
• Walls and fences
  
• Works to protected trees 

Non-householder fees

This includes:

• Commercial
• Agricultural
• Caravans
• Schools
• Sports centres and pitches

All costs include VAT:

• 0 to 200 metres squared costs £729.72
• 201 to 500 metres squared costs £820.56
• 501 to 1000 metres squared costs £1033.08
• 1001 to 2000 metres squared costs £1276.80
• 2001 to 3000 metres squared costs £1489.32
• 3001 to 5000 metres squared costs £1793.88
• Over 5000 metres squared costs £9117.60

New homes / dwellings

This includes:

• New builds
• Homes created through change of use

All costs include VAT:

• 1 to 9 units costs £248.64 per unit
• 10 to 30 units costs £2473.92  
• 31 to 50 units costs £4123.68  
• More than 50 units costs £8248.68 

If you cancel your pre-application request

We don't give refunds for cancelled applications.

The more information you can provide about your proposal, the more accurate and in-depth our feedback can be. 

We ask you to submit the following:

• Site address
  
• Description of proposal
  
• Site plan with site clearly defined in red
  
• Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
  
• Supporting photographs of the site and/or street
  
• For more complex proposals, surveys regarding ecology, trees, flood risk or transport could be provided 

Although the Council does not automatically publicise pre-application requests, under the Freedom of Information Act we may be required to release them unless they are commercially sensitive. Personal details are still protected under the Data Protection Act and would not be released in any instance.

Some third parties (e.g. Environment Agency or Historic England) may have a separate charging schedule for pre-application advice. The Council will not automatically consult with these parties at the pre-application stage and therefore you are advised to contact them direct. 

To apply for pre application advice please complete the online form above, upload the relevant documents and pay the fee.