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.