Planning pre-application services

Book appointments to see a planning officer to discuss a planning application.

Types of services

Having a discussion with us before you submit your application can:

  • identify improvements your scheme needs before you submit it to us
  • deter applications with little or no prospect of success
  • save you time and money

While the outcome of a planning application cannot be guaranteed, you're more likely to succeed if:

  • you prepare and support your application with the relevant development plan, policies and proposals
  • you talk to us about the emerging application in advance of submission 

We will not negotiate on planning applications except in exceptional circumstances.

Make a planning enquiry

Make a planning enquiry if you:

  • are thinking about developing your property
  • have a query about planning enforcement
  • have a query about tree preservation orders

Make a planning enquiry

Check a planning application

Check the planning register (also known as the Public Access Register) for:

  • planning applications you have already submitted
  • planning applications in your area

Check the planning register

Services we offer

Householder and Small-Scale Development Service

This is a virtual meeting which is appropriate for those wishing to obtain advice for applications such as extensions to houses and small extensions to commercial buildings, small changes or use, new shopfronts and associated signs and advertisements (provided they are not a Listed Building). The meeting will be followed by a brief written summary of the advice provided.

Use the Householder and Small-Scale Development Service.

Meeting Service

If your proposal is more complex and you are for example proposing to undertake a flat conversion, residential development or small-scale business development. Please use the Meeting Service Pre-Application Service.

 
Use the pre-application meeting service.

Planning Performance Agreement Pre-Application Service

This service is suitable for large scale and complex developments which are likely to raise a number of issues. These could include:

  • provision of 25 or more dwellings
  • development of tall buildings that exceed the London Mayoral referral threshold
  • provision of over 10,000 square metres of commercial space
  • change of use of over 10,000 square metres of floor space
  • development which exceeds 2.5 hectares
  • reserve matters to major outline planning applications

Use the Planning Performance Agreement Service (PPA).

Other Services

We also offer services in relation to discharge of conditions, alterations to listed buildings. You can find further information regarding these services in the customer advice note at the bottom of this page.

Design Review Panels

In addition to a pre-application meeting, we strongly recommend large, complex and/or strategic plans undergo a Design Review Panel. 

The review is conducted by independent built environment experts with a range of specialisms including architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, conservation, planning, transport, infrastructure, engineering, culture, and public art.

For more details about these services, you can download or view our pre-application advice customer advice note (PDF, 324KB).