Pre-application advice

Officers welcome pre-application discussion to ensure that applicants are aware of the Council's policies and how they relate to their proposal. The planning regulations are rather complicated so you should always check with the Development Control service as to whether permission is needed for any work you are thinking of doing. Many Development Control applications also require consent under the Building Regulations and Building Control Officers are happy to attend any pre-application discussions as the Building Regulations can be complicated.

The Council has adopted a procedure note on pre-application advice - to download this please view the "Informal Officer Opinion" document in the resource box below.
If your enquiry is whether planning permission is required please complete the form entitled “Do I need Planning Permission” - to download this please view the "Do I need Planning Permission Form" in the resource box.

The more information that is provided the quicker and more detailed a response can be given. An Officer of the Development Control section will advise you whether you will need planning permission or any other type of application such as Listed Building Consent or Consent to Display Advertisements. Any informal advice made at officer level cannot bind the Council to any particular course of action in determining any future planning applications. If you are told that your proposal does not need planning permission and you require a "formal" determination from the Council you may apply for a "lawful development certificate" which is a formal decision (this does however attract a fee).