Pre application advice service explanatory notes and terms

Level of standard service offered

• The level of service offered as standard is tailored to reflect the size and complexity of the pre-application request. The Council, for example, does not consider a site visit necessary for householder enquiries.  A site visit is always carried out as part of a planning application.
• Optional extras are not provided for some categories because the size of the scheme typically does not necessitate these extras.
• Where requests cover more than one proposal, each proposed scheme will be charged the standard service fee separately and treated as a separate pre-application submission.

Exclusions, variations and exceptions

• This service excludes requests as to whether planning permission is required.  No informal advice is provided on permitted development and an application for a lawful development certificate will need to be submitted.
• In very exceptional cases if a meeting or site visit is required (i.e. that is not covered under optional extras) then written justification should first be given.  We reserve the right to decline such requests. If agreed, a meeting or site visit will be charged at a bespoke fee. 
• In the event that you don’t want a meeting and prefer a written response instead, then the fee will be a 50% reduction for the respective category. 
• No reduction in fee will be given if you choose not to have a site visit as part of the standard service.