Planning Application Guidance

You can avoid delays in processing your application by following the steps below.

An application will only be progressed once we receive all of the necessary plans, supporting documentation and the appropriate fee.

To find out which plans and documents are required, please see our Local Planning Validation Checklists.

Some of the most common reasons that applications are not complete are:

• the necessary application fee hasn't been paid;
• the ownership certificate submitted is incorrect;
• a site location plan hasn't been submitted - Site plans can be bought here;
• the plans submitted do not show the existing situation and the proposed scheme adequately or accurately

Make sure that you have checked the Planning validation checklists and have all the necessary plans, information and documents before you submit your application.

How do I submit a Planning or Related Application (Including Discharge of Conditions)?

If you want to make a planning application to the Council, you must submit it on a standard form, either online or by post.  The simplest way to submit a planning application is online. Click the 'apply online' image below. 

Registration is easy and applying online has many benefits including:

• Save your application and return to it later;
• Submit and pay for your application online at any time (Since 1 April 2018, the Council no longer accepts cash or cheque payments.)
• No postal delays or printing costs for you;
• Immediate delivery and confirmation;
• Attach all supporting documents and plans;
• Secure, online record and audit trail of all your applications

There is step-by-step advice for each type of application form and your application, and the documents you submit, will be immediately sent to the Council.

You can also choose to download the application forms and post the completed application to the address at the top of the form.

Applications submitted by post will take longer to review than online applications. 

How much does it cost?

Planning application fees were increased nationally on 17 January 2018.

Remember, your application cannot be progressed until the correct fees have been received.

The easiest way to find out what your planning application fees will be is to use The Planning Portal Fee Calculator.

Further details of how fees are calculated can be found on the Planning Portal.

Since 1 April 2018, the Council no longer accepts cash or cheque payments.  Pay for your Planning Application

How do I calculate the applicable area for an application fee?

Wherever a fee is based on site area, it is defined as the area to which the application relates, i.e. the land that is being developed, including any which changes its use as part of the development.

This should normally be shown edged in red on the plans accompanying the application.

How is 'floor space' defined?

Wherever a fee is based on floor space, the floor space calculation should include the gross amount (of all storeys) to be created by the development shown in the application.

For the purposes of calculating the fees, this is measured on floor space. The floor space calculation should include the gross amount (of all storeys) to be created by the development shown is the external measurement of the structure and should include the thickness of the internal and external walls. The calculated floor space should not include other areas inside a building which are not readily usable by humans or animals. For example lift shafts, fluid tanks, loft spaces etc.