Planning application forms, checklists and guidance

How to apply

We encourage you to submit your application online through the Planning Portal to help speed up the process.

Submit an application

Submit your application through the Planning Portal

Applying online helps you to:

• Identify which forms you need to complete
• Help you have complete the application form
• Attach relevant files including drawings and other supporting information
• Produce a site location plan
• Calculate the correct fee and pay for your application online (where relevant)

The information provided on the application form, drawings and documents will be made available on the internet.

Each form is accompanied by help text and a checklist, which you should read to make sure you have given us all the information needed. Further information on the additional supporting information listed in each checklist can be found in our Validation Requirements document, which sets out when particular information is required.

If you do not send all the information we need to deal with your application, we will not be able to register it and we will advise on what you need to do to ensure it is valid and complete.

•  View our  Guidance for validation 

To help us process your application as quickly as possible it is important that you take time to read the attached guidance. You should also complete and return the appropriate checklist with your planning application.

In addition  to the Validation Checklist and in accordance with government guidance from the 1st August 2021, any planning applications for buildings 18m in height or more or 7 or more storeys containing two or more dwellings or educational accommodation will be required to be accompanied by a fire statement .

Paying the Planning Fee

• Please note new fee regulations come into effect from the 6th December.  Therefore any applications which are validated from on or after the 6th December will be subject to the new (higher) fee level. This includes any applications received before the 6th but not valid until after the 6th.
• See the full list of fees for different types of planning permission.
• There is a flat rate service charge of £64 inc. VAT for submitting online planning applications that attract a fee of £60 or more.
• You can use the electronic Fee Calculator available from Planning Portal (links to external site)

Pay online or by phone here 

Quick Links

• Householder Applications
• General planning applications
• Outline planning applications
• Other Planning Applications
• Prior notifications
• Pre-application forms
• Notice under Article 11
• Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Delivery Developer Process Note

Householder Applications

These forms should be used for works to domestic dwelling houses (not flats), including extensions, conservatories, garages, dormer windows, new access drives.

If you are unsure whether you need planning permission for your proposal then you should refer to our page on Residential Planning . Alternatively, if you think permission is not required and you would like a legal determination to this effect, you can submit an application for a proposed Lawful Development Certificate.

General planning applications

These notes and forms are to be used for non-householder applications. They are used for building works, engineering works and changes of use, and alterations to flats.

Outline planning applications

An outline planning application is a means of establishing the principle of a proposed development without having to supply all of the details. The grant of outline planning permission will then be conditional upon the subsequent approval of details of 'reserved matters'

Other Planning Applications

• Read our protocol for dealing with non-material minor amendments 

Prior notifications

The Government's 2013 Statutory Instrument sets out provisions for permitted development through the planning system. This significantly relaxed the controls on what will require planning permission. You will still need to notify us of your plans, using the application forms below, and we will also still need to notify neighbours of your proposals. We will then tell you if you can proceed. If you get confirmation from the Council that you can go ahead with development, you will then also need to notify us in writing that the work has been completed.

Apply online if you are seeking or applying for:

• prior approval of a proposed larger home extension
• prior notification of demolition
• prior notification of operations by a telecommunications operator
• notification of a proposed change of use to dwellings
• prior approval of a proposed change of use of an agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (use class C3)
• prior approval of a proposed change of use to a state funded school
• prior approval of a proposed change of use of a building from retail (class A1 or A2), or mixed retail and residential, to class C3 (dwellinghouse)
• prior approval of a proposed change of use from an agricultural building to a flexible use within shops, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes, business, storage or distribution, hotels, or assembly or leisure
• prior approval of a proposed change of use of an agricultural building to a state funded school or registered nursery
• notification for prior approval for a change of use from amusement arcades/centres and casinos (sui generis uses) and any land within its curtilage to dwellinghouses (class C3)
• notification for prior approval for a change of use from shops (class A1), financial and professional services (class A2), betting offices, pay day loan shops and casinos (sui generis uses) to restaurants and cafés (class A3)
• notification for prior approval for a change of use from shops (class A1), financial and professional services (class A2), betting offices, pay day loan shops (sui generis uses) to assembly and leisure uses (class D2)
• notification for prior approval for a development consisting of the erection or construction of a collection facility within the curtilage of a shop
• notification for prior approval for the temporary use of buildings or land for commercial film making and associated temporary structures, works, plant or machinery required for that use
• notification for prior approval for the installation, alteration or replacement of solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on the roofs of non domestic buildings, up to a capacity of 1 megawatt

Pre-application forms

The way we receive pre-applications has now changed. All pre-applications must be submitted via our new online form, available here.

Please do not submit pre-applications via email or post as they will not be processed.

• Advice and forms for improvements and extensions to your home.
• Advice and forms for commercial and business.
• Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) - Surface Water Drainage Pre-Application Advice (pdf, 555kb) (This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. )

Notification of an application to the owner of the land

If the applicant is not the owner of the land to which an application is to be made then notice should be served upon the owner/tenant using the form below. The form should be completed by the applicant and served on the owner or agricultural tenant. Also if the owner of the land is not known then notice should be published in a local newspaper, using the form below.
•Notice under Article 13 of Application (certificate B or C) - Notice 1
•Notice under Article 13 of Application (certificate C or D) - Notice 2
•Notice under Article 13 of Application (Householders)