Pre-Application Advice - Free Service

This service is available for an application for

• Expansion or setting up of new business enterprises in the borough
• Alterations or extensions to single dwellings and other householder applications. (This does not include single, new or replacement dwellings which are Level 2 developments
• Works to Trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders or located in Conservation Areas
• Advice on how to submit an application to establish whether planning permission is or was required. A fee will be charged for this Certificate of Lawfulness application. You can apply online using the Planning Portal
• Planning application advice following an enforcement investigation

Unfortunately we are not able to provide this service for works to listed buildings which do not require planning permission.

What you need to do

If you want us to comment on a particular building, extension or design you will need to email us or write including:

• An explanation/description of what you want to do
• Full site address and location plan (preferably at 1:1250 scale) with the site outlined in red
• Any relevant information about previous uses
• Sketch drawings providing details of the proposal with floor plans and how the building will look from the outside (elevations) as well as how it will relate to nearby buildings
• Photographs of the site can also be helpful

Sending the information and your request by email is also helpful and can speed up our reply.

What we will do

1. Acknowledge receipt of your enquiry, within three working days, giving you a reference number and the name of the person who will be dealing with your request
2. Ask for any other information we think we need to give you an answer
3. Once we have all the information we need, we will let you have our advice in writing within 28 working days. We are often quicker than this