Pre-application advice

Pre-application advice (Protocol)
Our pre-application planning advice service - charging scheme
Duty Planning Officer

Following on from changes in legislation and in order to provide a better and sufficiently resourced service, the department has been running a pilot scheme that introduced charges for certain pre-application enquiries.

Consultation on proposed changes to the scheme

The scheme has been amended following the trial period and feedback from users and focus groups. The department is now consulting on a revised document, which includes amendments to time periods and charges, and is looking for feedback on the proposed alterations. The revised document is called "Pre App Protocol Consultation document".

The consultation period was for six weeks ending 22 August 2008.

Please contact Helen Furnell with your feedback (details below).

What will the service do?

We will:

provide written confirmation within 10 working days of receiving your request to tell you whether the service is right for you
provide details of any further information you may need to supply
contact you within 10 working days of receiving the fee and requested additional information to arrange a meeting
arrange a meeting with you and the relevent council planning officers to advise you on your case - this may include site visits
provide detailed written confirmation within 10 working days of the meeting of the advice and views given by us, which will include what you will need to supply in order to submit a valid application.

What will the charge be?

Advice for alterations to a dwelling house and minor development by local businesses will continue to be free.

The scheme will apply to the following types of development:

Major developments

provision of 10 or more residential units
provision of over 1000m² of commercial floor space
developments involving a site over 0.5ha in area
developments requiring an Environmental Impact Statement
composite proposals for telecommunication masts and equipment for 10 or more sites.

Fee: £1,021.74 + VAT (£1,175)

Please note: additional fees for specialist officers contributing to meetings or subsequent requests, meetings or investigations will be charged at the appropriate hourly rate for the relevant level of staff.

Minor developments:

commercial development of less than 1000m² not located by a local business
construction or conversion to provide 1-9 residential units
changes of use
advertisement hoarding applications
proposals for telecommunication masts and equipment not being confirmation of permitted development.

Fee: £510.87 + VAT (£587.50)