General planning advice and guidance
Read more below about the services we offer, fees and response times.
The Planning Portal website provides free information about planning issues and the application process. Interactive guidance is available for residential properties.
There is also information and guidance in the links listed on this page and more widely on the internet.
If you would like more specific advice about a planning issue, or would prefer us to research the issue, you can pay for general planning advice from the planning team.
What we offer
Our general planning advice provides answers to some common planning questions listed below. We can also offer informal advice on whether planning permission is required. Visit Do I need planning permission?
The service is for householders, residential developers and commercial developers.
We provide advice at two levels, depending on the development type:
- Householder - covers most enquiries relating to development within the curtilage of a dwelling, including extensions, garages, greenhouse, sheds and annexes
- Other - covers all other development types, including commercial, agricultural and advertisements
This is a paid-for service. Our online form automatically calculates your fee based on the development category and question you select.
If your query is not listed as a service, but you know that you need professional advice from a planning officer, please select 'Ask a Planning Officer' on the drop-down menu and add your question.
If you are uncertain what advice you require, but feel that it might be planning related, please select 'Help I'm not sure what I need'. We will review your query, and put you in contact with the service you require.
General planning advice services, fees and response times
We offer the following services which you can select in our planning advice application form.
| General planning service | Fees |
|---|---|
| Informal confirmation of permitted use class | Householder £160 / Other £160 |
| Confirmation that Permitted Development rights have not been removed | Householder £65 / Other £160 |
| Confirmation of planning restrictions | Householder £65 / Other £160 |
| Confirmation of Designated Areas | Householder £65 / Other £65 |
| What constitutes a material start? | Householder £65 / Other £160 |
| Planning conditions - confirmation of discharge | Householder £65 / Other £160 |
| Planning conditions - confirmation of compliance | Householder £400 / Other £400 |
| Ask a Planning Officer | Householder £65 / Other £160 |
| Help I'm not sure what I need | No charge |
Response time for these services is 20 working days, with the exception of confirmation of compliance with planning conditions, which requires a site visit and is 30 working days.
The response time and advice provided is dependent on all relevant information and documents being available to complete the service. If we require any additional information we will contact you or your planning agent. This will delay the response time.
Apply and pay for general planning advice
You can pay in the form, either by card or, for fees over £300, by BACS bank transfer.