Pre-application advice

Major development advice

Your work will be a major development if it’s for:

  • 10 to 49 residential units
  • 1,000 to 4,999 square metres floor space
  • development on a site less than 2 hectares (including any change of use of land or building).

Pre-application advice

Pre-application advice will cover:

  • details of any statutory designations and constraints affecting the site
  • key planning policy context and assessment of the scheme against planning policy
  • any other material considerations
  • potential development considerations
  • a synopsis of potential changes which may be needed to improve the scheme and, if possible, overcome objections
  • identification of areas within the pre application scheme that may need addressing or changing.

Advice can be preliminary and full advice.  

Preliminary advice  

Preliminary advice will be high level and will only include if the principle of the proposal is acceptable.

Once validated, a planning officer will contact you to arrange a meeting in the office.   

Full advice  

Full advice will include:  

  • details of any legal designations and limitations that affect the site
  • key planning policy context and assessment of the scheme against planning policy
  • identification of any other material considerations
  • potential development contributions
  • a summary of possible changes that may be needed to improve the scheme and, if possible, overcome objections
  • identification of areas within the pre-application scheme that may need addressing or amending
  • conclusion as to the likelihood of the scheme being accepted.

Expectations for full pre-application advice  

For full advice:  

  • you can expect to be contacted within 10 working days, either more information will be required, or your enquiry will have been registered, along with the details of the case
  • the project plan will need to be agreed by Planning Manager and Developer  

As a major developer you’re expected to:  

  • arrange a pre-application consultation with ongoing engagement
  • arrange a consultation with the Parish Council
  • arrange a presentation to members, to inform local ward councillors
  • arrange an exhibition or local meeting
  • notify local community groups.

Cost of major development pre-application advice  

The fees for major development pre-application advice is:

  • £439 for a preliminary advice meeting held at Gun Wharf
  • £1,916 for full advice (meeting and written)
  • charged per hour for officer follow up.