Pre-application advice for planning permission
Prospective applicants for planning permission can seek pre-application advice from the local planning authority.
This can:
- Help applicants understand the merits of a proposed development.
- Help applicants understand relevant planning policies and other material considerations.
- Improve the quality of the planning application so the likelihood of success.
- Help resolve issues associated with a proposed development.
- Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application and determination process.
- Encourage a collaborative and open relationship.
- Clarify requirements for consultation.
- Clarify possible planning conditions and planning obligations.
- Clarify the information that should accompany the application.
- Reduce the likelihood of delays.
Pre-application advice should be suited to the nature of the proposed development and on large or complex projects may benefit from a planning performance agreement. This is a voluntary undertaking that enables local planning authorities and applicants to agree the timescales, actions and resources necessary to process a planning application during the pre-application, application and post-application stages.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that statutory consultees should also take an early, pro-active approach in the pre-application process and should provide advice in a timely manner. Statutory consultees with a shared interest in a development, should engage with each other and seek to resolve any issues together.
Local planning authorities and statutory consultees may charge for pre-application advice, although they are encouraged to provide a basic level of service without charge. Charges that are made should be transparent, must not exceed the cost of providing the service and should not discourage pre-application discussions.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Cautions or formal warnings in relation to potential listed building offences in England and Wales.
- Charging for Listed Building Consent pre-application advice.
- CIOB Planning Protocol 2021.
- Detailed planning application.
- Development management.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- National Planning Practice Guidance.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Outline planning application.
- Permitted development.
- Planning appeal.
- Planning authority.
- Planning authority duty to provide specialist conservation advice.
- Planning conditions.
- Planning enforcement.
- Planning fees.
- Planning objection.
- Planning obligations.
- Planning performance agreement.
- Planning permission.
- Section 106 agreement.
- Statutory consultees.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.