What this service covers
This service is suitable for the following types of planning applications:
- Residential developments of 2 to 9 homes
- Commercial developments with floorspace between 100 and 999 square metres
- Telecommunications development
- Minerals or waste developments under 0.5 hectares
Medium development pre-application enquiries are usually dealt with through written advice only. If you would like a meeting, this may be possible but will be at the discretion of the planning officer handling your enquiry.
What advice we can provide
We can offer guidance on:
- Relevant planning policies and other planning requirements
- The planning process, including consultation and likely timescales for determining an application
- What information you need to submit a valid planning application
- Informal, non-binding comments and guidance on the content and presentation of an application, to help it meet the Council’s planning policies
Information we need from you
To provide a helpful and high-quality advice service, we will need enough information about your proposal, including:
- A clear description of the proposed development
- Photographs and/or sketch drawings showing the site, buildings, and trees as they currently are
- Outline plans of the proposal (at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100)
- Sketch drawings showing the size, height, and overall scale of the development
Some proposals may need additional specialist information, for example those involving agricultural considerations, plant and machinery, telecommunications masts, highways matters, forestry services, or trees. The case officer will let you know if anything further is needed once your pre-application request has been reviewed.
What you will receive
Provided all the required information is submitted, you can expect:
- Clear, detailed advice explaining planning issues, constraints, and application requirements
- An indication of whether the proposal is likely to be acceptable in planning terms