Pre-application planning advice

Service update 

We regret to inform you that our transition to a new planning portal provider is experiencing delays. As a result, the planning portal and associated online services currently remain unavailable. Our teams are working hard to get these services online as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your ongoing patience.

Whether you’re building a new home, improving your existing one or developing a much larger project, you must ensure you have the correct planning permission in place for your work.

Preparing your planning application correctly can be a complex process depending on the project you are embarking on. Our planning team can offer expert advice on any proposed work, saving you time and helping to avoid unnecessary costs.

We can:

• advise you on how likely your plans are to receive planning permission
• explain how your project may be affected by planning laws and policies
• help you resolve issues with your proposal before submission

You must seek pre-application advice before buying a plot of land for sale at auction. Often these plots are in areas constrained by planning policy. If this is the case, you will not be able to use the plot for most types of development. If you buy a plot of land and start any unauthorised development we may take formal action.

Fees

Fees for our service depend on the type of development under review.

View fees for this service

There is no fee for advice where the query relates to improvements for people with disabilities. Request pre-application advice for disability alterations and adaptations.

All advice is provided on a ‘without prejudice’ basis and based on the planning policies and circumstances that apply at the time it is given. We cannot guarantee the outcome of a full consultation once a planning application is made.