Checklist For Pre-Application Advice
 

You should approach your Council before making an application to discuss it informally with a Planning Officer by telephone, letter or meeting (sometimes by appointment only). They should be able to guide you about how best to proceed, and how to make an application which is more likely to succeed.

However before doing so please take time to read some helpful hints.

  • Be familiar with the planning guidance notes/procedures/policies which should have been published by your council.
  • If you are employing an agent (such as an architect/planner/surveyor or technician), find one who is competent. Such a person will be familiar with the planning procedures of your council and be aware of the councils policies for the type of development you wish to undertake. The professional bodies usually have advertisements in the local Yellow Pages.
  • We cannot recommend particular advisors/architects/designers but would strongly recommend you to:
  • Shop around and compare likely costs to you. The cheapest is not necessarily the best because if plans are unacceptable you may have to pay for further plans to be prepared.
  • Check qualifications. Complex applications will probably require specialised skills to deal with the issues which will need to be addressed.
  • Find out what they have done in the local area or in other local Council areas. Ask to speak to their previous clients to see if they were satisfied with the service they received.
  • Think about your proposal before discussing with a Planning Officer. Your councils aim is to be helpful but insufficient preparatory work will be wasteful, not just for you but for them as well.
  • Thge councils aim is to identify potential conflicts, find possible ways forward but it is not our role to impose a solution where development proposals have not been properly thought through.

  • There is sometimes no charge for your council giving guidance before you make an application (You should check this first as different councils have different policies). It is given in good faith but will not bind the Council to a decision. New information may come to light which affects the outcome of a planning application.
  • It may be necessary for you to talk to other organisations about your proposal as well as the council, such as the Environment Agency on flood risk, or the County Council on highway matters, and archaeology.
  • Finally, please make sure that you (or your agent) are familiar with further sources of information which may affect your application.