Planning Advice

Getting Advice on Planning Issues

We can advise you on a range of planning issues. Most services are free and can be provided in a number of ways:

Telephone

Basic planning advice (01789 260360) and information about the progress of applications (01789 260303) can be given over the telephone.

In person

• Planning Surgeries are bookable meetings with planning officers, where advice can be given on planning matters. They are held each week at the main Council office (Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford upon Avon) and the Southam Sub-office (The Grange, Coventry Road, Southam).
• For major proposals and for cases where a previous application has been refused a meeting can be arranged outside of the normal surgeries.
• Other general questions can often be dealt with by calling at Elizabeth House, but you do need an appointment if you want to see a planning officer.

In writing

It is important that certain types of questions are dealt with in writing, including:

• formal decisions such as discharge of conditions and approval of amendments;
• questions about whether a development has been commenced;
• comments regarding the lawful use of a site/building;
• permitted development enquiries and other enquiries about the need for planning permission (a Householder Enquiry Form should be submitted- there is a fee of £25 for this service, with a fee of £50 for a 2 working day service); and

We aim to respond within 3 weeks of the receipt of your letter.

We would normally deal with pre-application advice in writing, but this is not possible at present. We will still try to help with your proposal. First, have a look at the information on this web-site, including the Local Plan and, for domestic proposals, our guide: 'Extending Your Home'. You can then contact us by phone for general advice or arrange a surgery meeting.

By e-mail

For the time being, we can give out only general information in response to e-mail requests.

Other Information

There is a wide variety of information about planning available elsewhere on this web-site and you can contact us on 01789 260304.

We also recommend:

RICS planning web-site - www.planning-applications.co.uk
Government's Planning Portal - www.planningportal.gov.uk
Planning Aid - www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk