Planning Application Guidance

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

Before we can deal with your application, we need to 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 delayed are:

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

How do I apply?

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 via the Planning Portal.

Click the 'apply online' image below - this will take you to the Planning Portal website. 

You will first be asked for some basic details and then be able to choose the application type (for example, Householder, Advertisement consent, Discharge of conditions (approval of details reserved by condition); full, outline etc)

Registration is quick and easy. You can:

• Save your application and return to it later;
• Submit and pay for your application online at any time;
• 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. 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.

How can I pay for my application?

Planning Portal

If you apply via the Planning Portal, please pay via the Planning Portal as well.  We will only receive your application from the Planning Portal after you have paid.

Other planning fees

To pay for applications submitted by other means, or to pay an additional planning fee, please pay online:

Pay for your Planning Application

The Council no longer accepts cash or cheque payments.

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

If the 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.

If the 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.

The floor space calculation should include the gross amount (of all storeys) to be created by the development shown as the external measurement of the structure. It 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, such as lift shafts, fluid tanks, loft spaces etc.