Pre-application service

We can tell you if you need planning permission for works to your home or business. Or provide you with detailed advice on developments of any size.

We charge for this service. You will need to complete an application form and supply certain details. The information helps us assess your proposal. This is why we cannot provide advice over the phone, by email or in person.

Benefits of pre-application advice

• Identify issues early in the proposal, before your design is complete.
• Helps you to understand how development policies will apply.
• Reduces the chance of an unsuccessful proposal.
• Helps prevent an invalid application.
• Avoids delays and enable a speedier decision.
• It can save you time and money.

What pre-application advice does not do

• It does not provide a formal decision. If you do need permission you will need to get the necessary approval before starting work.
• It does not guarantee the outcome of any future application.
• It does not include building regulations advice.
• You cannot use it to confirm permission was not required for works already carried out. But you can submit a lawful development certificate (LDC) on the Planning Portal. 

You can ask for our advice before making changes to your home.

Householder do I need planning permission enquiry for £50

We don't provide a free service to confirm this. But you may find the answer yourself on our do I need planning permission page.

Or use our pre-application service to ask us if your proposal needs permission. We will provide a written response within 20 working days. This will tell you if the works come under permitted development rights. Or if you need to make a planning application or a prior approval application.

Householder pre-application enquiry for £100

Before you submit a planning application for works to your home, we encourage you to ask for our advice. We will provide a written response within 20 working days. We will assess your proposal and tell you:

• If we could support it in planning terms. We may also tell you of potential changes that could make it more acceptable.
• Key planning policies and considerations that we know of.
• Where to get information on what you will need to submit with your planning application.

Householder pre-application enquiry with listed building advice for £200

Your home may be a listed building. This means you may need listed building consent as well as planning permission. The householder pre-application enquiry does not cover listed buildings. Or curtilage listed buildings and proposals affecting the setting of listed buildings. ​If your proposal relates to a listed building an extra fee will apply. We will provide a written response within 25 working days. This will include the above householder advice at £100. Plus listed building advice for an extra £100.

We provide advice on developments of any size and offer a range of tailor-made options. The cost and response time depends on the level of detail you want and the scale of your proposal.

Our charter explains this service, the cost, how long it takes and the options available to you. Read our pre-application charter and guide.

Do I need planning permission enquiry for £100

If you are unsure if the works need planning permission you can ask us to tell you. We will provide a written response within 20 working days. This will tell you if the works come under permitted development rights. Or if you need to make a planning application or a prior approval application. We cannot provide this advice over the phone, by email or in person. 

Pre-application advice for your development

You may already know you need permission for works to your land, property or business. Asking for our advice before making an application can save you time and money. If you submit a high quality planning application it helps us make a speedier decision.

For a fee, we can assess your proposal and provide you with a written response. You can expect a clear, timely and authoritative view on the merits of your proposals. We will provide clear advice on what you need to submit with a formal planning application. Various tailor-made options are available to you including add-on meetings. Choose from preliminary advice or detailed advice.

Ensure you pay the correct fee and provide the essential information. We cannot process your application until we have what we need.

Please read our charter before making a pre-application enquiry. It explains what to expect from our service and the terms and conditions. Read our pre-application charter and guide.

How to apply for advice

We prefer to receive applications by email. You should be able to complete the form on your device. Then email it to us with your documents. But you can submit paper copies by post if you prefer. We have provided contact details on the form.

• Pre-application form for householders (Word document).
• Pre-application form for any other development (Word document).

Essential information you must submit

This will depend on the nature of proposed development and the type of advice you are seeking. For all enquiry types you must include:

1. the completed application form; 
2. the correct fee; and
3. a location plan, with all land required to carry out the works outlined in red. At 1:1250 scale or as appropriate for larger sites.

Pay on our website. Or phone Customer Services on 0345 600 6400 to pay by card. You can purchase a location plan from ReQuestaPlan. 

Recommended information

The submission of recommended information is not mandatory. But the quality of advice given will depend upon the level of information provided. Our charter lists the recommended information for your chosen advice level.

What happens after you submit a pre-application

We will acknowledge your application within 5 working days. If your application is incomplete we will put it on hold 'invalid'. You will have 21 working days to supply the information or fee. The timescale for a response will not begin until the application is complete. At this point your pre-application will be passed to a planning officer. They will provide you with a written response by email. If you have questions please read the pre-application charter before contacting us.

We introduced this revised pre-application service on 2nd October 2023.

Our aim is to improve customer experience and tailor advice to the nature of development. We are keen to hear your feedback on the pre-application service. Please email your comments to planningstrategypreapp@northumberland.gov.uk.