We offer a highways advice service to support developers and householders with targeted, technical highways and transportation advice for new developments. This is a chargeable service designed to provide timely and focused highways input outside the scope of the formal pre-application planning process.
Apply for highways advice for new developments
What the service is for
The service provides informal, non binding highways and transportation advice at any stage of a development proposal, including:
- Where highways advice has already been received through the planning pre application service and further input is required before a planning application is submitted
- Where a planning pre application is not being sought, but highways advice is required
- Where advice is needed to support the discharge of highways related planning conditions
- Early feasibility or option appraisal work before engaging in full pre application discussions
The advice focuses solely on highways and transportation matters and does not include planning or other consultee comments. Any pre-application planning advice should be sought through the council's planning department pre-application planning advice page.
What advice we can provide
Advice is tailored to the nature and complexity of the proposal and may include (this is not an exhaustive list):
Access and visibility
- Initial review of proposed site access arrangements
- Visibility splays and junction design
- Walking, cycling and public transport requirements
Swept path analysis
- Advice on vehicle tracking requirements for refuse, emergency and delivery vehicles
Parking and layout
- Compliance with local and national highways standards
- Car and cycle parking provision
- Internal layout, turning areas and gradients
- Measures to support walking, cycling and public transport use
Transport statements and assessments
- Scoping advice
- Junction modelling requirements
- Trip generation and distribution
Condition discharge advice
- Support in meeting highways related planning conditions
Please note: Guidance on preparing and implementing travel plans is not included as part of the highways advice service for new developments. This can be sought via TravelPlans@herefordshire.gov.uk
How the service works
- Submit a request for advice
- You will need the following documents:
- A site location plan (with site outlined in red) to a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500
- Sketch or outline drawings of the existing building or site
- Any other information which may be relevant to your application
- Scope and fee confirmation - an officer will review your request, confirm the scope of advice and provide a fee quotation
- Payment in advance - payment is required before advice is issued
- Written advice will be provided within the target response times set out below
- Optional follow up - site visits or meetings can be arranged for an additional fee, where appropriate
* Please include as much detail as possible in your request. The more information provided, the more tailored the response can be.
Fees and response times
Fees are set on a tiered basis, reflecting the size and complexity of the development and the level of officer resource required. All fees are subject to the standard rate of VAT, (the below rates are excluding VAT).
Development categories
| Category | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Category A: Single dwelling / basic advice | Simple queries such as access feasibility, visibility splays or layout comments |
Typical fee: £150 - £335 Target response time: 21 days |
| Category B: 2-9 dwellings | Review of plans for compliance with highways standards including parking, turning areas and gradients |
Typical fee: £300 - £675 Target response time: 21 days |
| Category C: 10-99 dwellings | Review of plans for compliance with highway standards and walking/ cycling/ public transport and vehicular impacts of the development. |
Typical fee: £600 - £1,200 Target response time: 21 days |
| Category D: 100+ dwellings | Review of plans for compliance with highway standards and walking/cycling/public transport and vehicular impacts of the development, including modelling where required. |
Fee: Price confirmed on application Response time: Confirmed on application |
|
Category E: Non residential development |
Highways review of access, layout and standards |
Fee: Price confirmed on application Response time: Confirmed on application |
| Additional services |
Design update review (following changes to proposals) |
Fee: Price confirmed on application Response time: Confirmed on application
|
| Site visits |
Categories A-C: £140 per hour Category D and E: £280 per hour per officer |
|
|
Follow up meeting or call (30-60 minutes) |
Categories A-C: £70 per hour Category D and E: £140 per hour per officer |
Important information
- Payment is required in advance of advice being issued.
- Advice provided through this service is informal and non binding and does not constitute a decision of the Local Planning Authority or the Local Highway Authority.
- Advice does not prejudice the outcome of any future planning application.
- Fees will be updated annually.
- If the agreed scope of work is exceeded, an updated fee quotation will be provided, and payment must be received before any additional work is undertaken.