The planning application process
Planning fees are changing from 1 April 2025. Fees for planning applications will rise by 1.7%. A draft fee schedule is published on the Planning Portal. Other non-statutory planning fees will increase by an average of 2.7%.
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A step-by-step guide to what happens when you make a planning application
- you will need to establish whether planning permission is required
- complete an online application
- check if you are required to be assessed for the Community Infrastructure Levy.
- ensure that you have referred to our local information requirements list
- check to establish if the new carbon standards for new residential and non-residential developments will be applicable to your application
- submit your application with the correct fee and supporting documentation
- we will validate and acknowledge the planning application
- we will publicise the planning application and consult the necessary parties - those who have been consulted will be able to comment on the application and are given, in most cases, 24 days to make their representations
- a site visit is carried out by the case officer
- the case officer makes a recommendation and this is detailed in the officer’s report - the case officer will consider all comments received
- decision is made under delegated powers or the application is referred to Planning Committee - there may be conditions attached
- Officer reports are published online
- a decision notice is issued
We aim to approve planning applications within eight weeks for minor applications and within 13 weeks for major applications.
You can make a planning appeal if your planning application has been refused planning permission, you did not receive a decision within the time-frame, or your application was approved and you are not happy with the planning conditions.
You can get advice from our Duty Planner or from the pre-application advice service.