Can I get advice about the likelihood of getting planning permission before I go to the expense of submitting a planning application?

The District Council will always try to give pre-application advice about the potential acceptability of development proposals. In most cases, you should make an initial telephone call to the Development Control section (01789 260303) for informal advice. This will normally need to be followed up a letter including details of your proposals. For major developments, planning officers will usually meet with you. In other cases, this is not always possible.

In all cases, it is essential that you provide full and accurate information to the planning officer who is advising you, so that any advice given is not based on partial information.

Please remember that, for sites that are up for sale, especially those being sold by auction, the Development Control section is likely to be receiving large numbers of enquiries.

All pre-application advice is informal only, and cannot prejudice the decision of any eventual application. Planning officers will strive to give high quality advice. However, the acceptability or otherwise of a proposal can only be fully tested through the submission of an application. The application process includes publicising the application and carrying out consultations and further investigations. All relevant comments and information gained through the application process must be fully considered in coming to a decision on the application.

Useful forms and links can be found on the right hand side of this page.