Local medium scale pre-application advice
If you know you need planning permission, we recommend seeking advice before submitting your application.
Fees
The fastest and most convenient way to pay is when you submit your online pre-application. For alternative payment options, visit our Planning Payment Options page.
Residential development
Houses, flats, and self-contained dwellings (4 to 49 units):
- charged at 35% of the Planning Application Fee, capped at £2,625
Developments exceeding 49 units or covering site areas over 2 hectares:
- are considered Major Developments and require Major Pre-Application Advice
Listed buildings
Interior changes (where planning permission is not required):
- no charge applies for advice on internal alterations such as cornices or internal doors
Exterior changes (where planning permission is required):
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625, including works like external doors, extensions, and windows
Commercial and industrial development
Business, general industry, storage, and distribution:
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Developments with site areas over 2 hectares or buildings exceeding 10,000 sqm are classed as Major Development and require Major Pre-Application Advice.
Energy and resource development
Exploratory drilling for oil and natural gas:
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Non-domestic renewable energy proposals (0.1MW – 19.9MW):
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Proposals with site areas over 2 hectares or generating more than 20MW are considered Major Developments.
Minerals and peat
Minerals enquiries:
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Proposals with site areas over 2 hectares are classified as Major Developments.
Peat enquiries:
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Proposals with site areas over 2 hectares are classified as Major Developments.
Marine development
Marine fish farm development (surface equipment < 2ha):
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Proposals with surface equipment exceeding 2 hectares are considered Major Developments.
Other development
General development proposals:
- charged at 35% of the planning application fee, capped at £2,625
Developments with site areas over 2 hectares or buildings exceeding 5,000 sqm are considered Major Developments.
Miscellaneous exemptions
No fee is payable for:
- works to improve access, safety, health or comfort for a disabled person at their home
- enquiries by charities, Community Councils, or non-profit community groups
- enquiries for properties where permitted development rights have been removed
What do I need to submit with my request?
To ensure your Local Medium Scale pre-application advice request is valid and can be processed, it must include the following:
Mandatory
You must provide:
- completed online pre-application advice form via the link below
- a clear description of the proposed development
- the appropriate fee (payable through the online form)
- a location plan (scale 1:1250 or 1:2500) with the site outlined in red and other land owned or controlled by the applicant outlined in blue
- details of site access and drainage arrangements
- sketches or drawings of the proposal
Desirable
It is recommended to include:
- draft Design and Access Statement (if applicable)
- photographs of the site
- site layout plans and sections (scale 1:500 or 1:200)
- elevational drawings (scale 1:100 or 1:50)
Apply for pre-application advice
How we handle your request
Requests are processed similarly to statutory applications but without neighbour notification or advertising. Each request is validated, assigned a reference number, and allocated to a case officer.
Advice is provided in writing once all relevant information has been reviewed.
Response times
We aim to:
- acknowledge receipt and provide officer contact details within one week of validation
- issue formal advice within six weeks of validation
Any pre-application advice provided by us is non-binding and does not constitute formal consent. It does not guarantee future approval or approval to commence development. You are free to submit a formal planning application regardless of any pre-application advice received.