Planning pre-application services

The pre-application meeting service covers complex changes of use proposals, for example if you're changing a flat into a shop.

This includes:

• flat conversions
• small scale residential development (especially infill and backland housing projects up to 25 units)
• commercial developments (100 to 999 square metres)
• developments involving impacts to heritage (conservation, listed buildings and locally listed buildings)
• developments involving impacts to protected trees
• planning condition discharge (major developments post planning permission)
• detailed discussions around variations to planning conditions
• minor material or non-material amendments to planning permissions
• development that is likely to have associated traffic and highway safety impacts
• display of advertisement hoardings
• telecommunications roll outs

You can also use this service if you need:

• valuation
• pre-auction advice, we can only give advice before the publication of site auction or marketing details
• any form of advice to help you with your application

Download our guidance note on pre-application advice (PDF 30KB)

Affordable housing requirements

You may need to speak to us early in the planning process, to make sure you meet planning regulations, such as providing affordable homes.

What you need to provide

The more information you can give us, the more we can help you with your application. 

You'll need to provide:

• a covering letter describing your proposal
• existing plans
• site location plans, floor plans and elevations of your proposed development
• any other information you think will be useful to us
• the upfront fee for the service level you require

How much it costs

How much you pay will depend on the type of development you're proposing.

We will contact you to take the fee once we've received your application. We won't validate the request until the fee has been paid.

Level B: small developments

Cost: £1,250 (plus VAT)

This includes:

• building 1 to 4 new dwellings
• conversion of property to provide up to 4 self-contained flats
• use of a property as a house in multiple occupation (HMO)
• proposed advert hoardings
• proposals for telecommunications roll out
• proposed changes of use involving in excess of 150 square metres of floorspace
• new commercial developments (including extensions and free-standing development) of between 100 and 499 square metres of proposed floorspace
• changes of use and extensions to listed buildings (up to 499 square metres)

Level C: medium developments

Cost: £2,500 (plus VAT)

This includes:

• building 5 to 9 new dwellings
• conversion to provide between 5 and 9 self-contained flats
• new commercial developments (including extensions and new development) of between 500 and 999 square metres
• changes of use and extensions to listed buildings of 500 to 999 square metres

Level D: major developments

Cost: £4,375 (plus VAT)

• the number of dwelling houses to be provided is 10 or more; or
• the number of dwelling houses is not known, the development is to be carried out on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares or more

or where:

• the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000 square metres or more
• the floor space to be created by the development is not known, the development is to be carried out on a site having an area of 1 hectare or more
• the winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits
• waste development

Level E: Discharge of Planning Conditions Minor Developments (excluding reserved matters)

Cost £300 (plus VAT per conditions)
Cost £1,250 (plus VAT) 5 to 8 conditions

For applications relating to a major development proposal a bespoke fee is required. For one meeting pursuant to a condition/variation the initial fee will be £1,250 (plus VAT), followed by discussion about a bespoke fee.

Level F: post decision services (excluding reserved matters)

Cost: £1,250 (plus VAT)

Discussion relating to the following post decision services: 

•  material/non-material amendments to planning permissions 
•  variations of planning conditions

For applications relating to a major development proposal a bespoke fee is required. For one meeting pursuant to a condition/variation the initial fee will be £1,250 (plus VAT), followed by discussion about a bespoke fee.

Level G: alterations to listed building

Cost: £625 (plus VAT)

•  alterations and householder extensions to listed dwellings and householder extensions
•  other alterations to listed buildings that do not require planning permission

Complete the form and pay the fee

Complete the pre-application form (DOCX, 120KB) and make sure you tick the appropriate service level (Service Level B to G) you require on the form.

Post or email your request and payment

You can send your application and supporting documents by:

Email: development.management@croydon.gov.uk

Post:

Development Management 6th Floor, Zone B
Bernard Weatherill House
8 Mint Walk
Croydon
CR0 1EA

Or

We will contact you to take the fee once we've received your application. We will not validate the request until the fee has been paid.

What happens after you've requested a meeting

1. After we've received your request, we will contact you within 20 working days to set up a meeting at a mutually agreed time.
2. A letter will then follow the initial meeting within 15 to 30 working days. It will set out the advice that has been reviewed and signed off by a senior officer of the Development Management Service.
3. You will then be allocated a planning officer.

Planning case officer

The planning officer will:

• visit your site
• research the planning history of the site
• carry out any consultations they see necessary internal to the council

The planning officer may decide to have a meeting with you to discuss specific topics related to your proposal, such as heritage and design issues, and possible transportation or highway considerations.

If you need a follow up meeting or a design review

You may need to have a follow up meeting to discuss any issues or design modifications that arise out of our initial response, especially around any issues regarding viability and affordable housing delivery.

Up to 2 follow up meetings within 12 months of the initial advice letter will cost 60% of the initial service level meeting fee. You'll need to pay this before the meeting takes place.

If your development is complex and needs further input, we may also recommend you have a Place Review by the Croydon Design Review Panel.