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Pre-application advice for homeowners and small developments

If you're a homeowner planning an extension or small home improvement project, you can get support and advice from a planning professional. 

This expertise can save you time and could improve your chances of getting planning permission.

Who can get pre-application advice

You can use the service if you're:

  • a homeowner doing any work on your property
  • planning a small development of less than 100 square metres of commercial space

Get pre-application planning advice 

There is a small charge for the service, but you'll get expert advice and know the possibility of successfully getting planning permission.

Professional planning advice

When you apply for advice, you'll get thorough research that includes:

  • a detailed report that identifies any issues likely to affect your proposal
  • advice on planning policies
  • information to support a formal application
  • advice on the possible outcome of any formal application

Time

You'll receive your planning report within 4 weeks of your application

Cost

The cost of advice depends on the scale of your project. Please choose from the options below for further information on getting pre-application advice:

Minor works and listed building charges
Type of development Type of response Fee Timescale
Householder proposals extension and alteration to an existing dwelling / house Written response only £150 4 weeks
Less than 100sqm of non-residential floor space Written response only £150 4 weeks
Listed Building consent Wriiten response only £150 4 weeks
Advert consent Written response only £150 4 weeks
Change of use of building or land Written response only £150 4 weeks

Small residential and commercial charges
Type of development Type of response Fee Timescale
1 new residential unit (conversion of house into 2 flats) Written response only £250 4 weeks
2-5 residential units Written response only £600 4 weeks
100sqm to 499sqm of non-residential floor space Written response only £600 4 weeks
6-10 residential unit Written response only £1,400 4 weeks
500sqm to 999sqm of non-residential floor space Written response only £1,400 4 weeks

Medium scale residential and commercial charges
Type of development Type of response Fee Timescale
10-24 residential units A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £3,500 6 weeks
1,000sqm to 1,999sqm of non-residential floor space A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £3,500 6 weeks

Large scale residential and commercial charges
Type of development Type of response Fee Timescale Notes
25-49 residential units A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £6,500 6 weeks A Planning Performance Agreement should be considered
2,000sqm to 4,999sqm of non-residential floor space A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £6,500 6 weeks A Planning Performance Agreement should be considered

Small scale major charges
Type of development Type or response Fee Timescale Notes
50-74 residential units A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £8,500 6 weeks A Planning Performance Agreement should be considered
5,000sqm or more of non-residential floor space A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £8,500 6 weeks A Planning Performance Agreement should be considered

Large scale major charges
Type of development Type or response Fee Timescale Notes
75 or more residential units A meeting with a planning officer and a written response £14,000 6 weeks A Planning Performance Agreement should be considered

Apply online for pre-application advice

You can apply quickly and easily for planning advice online.

Get pre-application planning advice 

It only takes a few minutes to apply, and you'll get the answers you need and save time. 

The advice is based on professional judgment and does not constitute a formal response or decision.

It gives a possible outcome of a formal application and no guarantees can be given about the decision that will be made.

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