Pre-planning application advice

If you are planning to build, alter or develop land or property, you can ask us for pre-application planning advice before submitting a planning application.

Getting advice early can help you:

• understand whether your proposal is likely to be acceptable
• identify potential issues before applying
• understand what plans and supporting information you may need
• improve the quality of your proposal
• reduce avoidable delays later in the process

Submit an enquiry

Use our online pre-application enquiry form.

Before you submit, make sure you provide:

• the site address
• a location plan
• scaled drawings, if available
• a clear description of your proposal
• any supporting information relevant to access, layout, drainage, design or site constraints
• photographs or draft statements, if available

You must also pay the relevant fee when you submit your enquiry.

Planning pre-application enquiry

Fees

Pre-application advice is a charged service.

View our planning fees and service packages to find the correct fee for your proposal before submitting your enquiry.

Planning fee charter

What you'll get

Depending on the size and complexity of your proposal, you may receive:

• written planning advice
• meetings with planning officers
• input from relevant council services or consultees
• a site visit

The level of support provided will depend on the service package you select.

Pre-application advice is informal and cannot guarantee that planning permission will be granted.

What happens next

Once we receive your enquiry, we will:

1. review the information you have provided
2. check that the correct service package has been selected
3. contact you if we need additional information
4. provide advice in line with the service package chosen

Response times

Response times vary depending on:

• the size and complexity of the proposal
• the information submitted
• whether specialist advice or consultee input is required

Complex proposals may take longer to assess.

Important information

Pre-application advice is intended to help you prepare a planning application. The advice is given without prejudice to the eventual decision of the planning service.

Any future planning application will be assessed on its own merits against the development plan and other material planning considerations.

A formal planning decision can only be made after a valid planning application has been submitted and fully assessed.