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Apply for Planning Permission

Applying online 

We recommend you submit your planning application to us electronically by visiting the Planning Portal.

The site allows you to complete an on-line application form, buy site location plans, attach drawings and make your application electronically.

You can still submit planning applications the traditional way, but before you do so, why not take a look at the benefits of applying online?

Complete a Planning Application

This service is designed to help you complete the application process and create and attach a professional quality site location plan by downloading appropriate Ordnance Survey maps.

It even calculates the correct planning application fees for you and allows you to pay online. When complete your application and site map can be printed and mailed, or sent to our Planning department electronically. You will then be able to track the progress of your application online throughout the approval process.

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administer, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.

Complete a Planning Application (external link)
Planning application validation guidance

Considering the application

Once an application has been submitted, the case officer will be identified and, where an application is submitted by an agent, all notification, discussion, and correspondence will take place with them.  The acknowledgement letter will name the case officer who will be your first point of contact for any queries regarding the application. 

The site of the proposal will be visited and the scheme assessed by the case officer usually within 10 working days of the application being registered.  The visit is usually without appointment, but where access to the building or site needs to be by arrangement (eg. in the case of locked points of access), the agent or applicant will be contacted and an appointment arranged.

Publicity

All applications will be advertised by the display of a site notice posted on or near the application site and in a publicly visible location, in a weekly list of applications which is printed in the local newspaper, and, where appropriate, individual neighbours will also be notified by letter.  Some applications will also be advertised in the local newspaper. A period of 21 days will be allowed for comments to be received from the date of publication of the application.

Planning Consultations

Anyone can comment on a planning application.  However, for the representation to be “material” and be able to influence any decision, it must be based on legitimate planning reasons.  We will not take into account objections that are not specific or not based upon proper planning considerations.  Further advice on this matter may be obtained from a separate Guidance Note that explains what constitute material planning considerations.

All comments must be made in writing, should be signed and dated, and should clearly state the grounds on which the representation is made.  Anonymous representations will not be considered.  Pre-printed forms or letters of representation will be accepted for consideration if they are individually signed and dated.

The Council will accept e-mails as letters of representation provided that the sender provides their full name and postal address.

Representations can be submitted in the form of petitions and will be considered provided that:

  • Each page of the petition is headed with the aim of the petition
  • The name and address of those signing are provided and are readable
  • The grounds of representation are material and are clearly stated
  • The name and address of the petition coordinator is included

All properly made comments and representations will be considered and taken into account before any decision on an application is made, and also in the context of Development Plan policies and other material considerations. 

The Decision

The Local Planning Authority aims to determine applications as quickly as possible taking account of statutory consultation time limit constraints.  For major applications the target is 65% of applications to be determined within 13 weeks, for minor decisions the target is 70% within 8 weeks, and for all other applications the target is 85% of decisions in 8 weeks.