Pre-application planning advice and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs)

Use this guide to find information on getting pre-application planning advice and about Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).

Why get advice before making a planning application?

Pre-application discussions allow an applicant to 'test the waters' on the likely acceptability of a scheme and provide early indications of our view of a development.

The benefits of pre-application planning advice:

  • helps understanding of how our policies will be applied to your proposal
  • input from the Design and Conservation, Policy and Transport Planning teams where needed
  • it makes it easier to put together proposals for formal submission, which, if you follow the advice of planning officers, should be handled more quickly and be more likely to be accepted
  • it can reduce the time that you or your professional advisors spend on working up your planning proposals
  • it tells you if a proposal is unacceptable and, where appropriate, gives guidance on improving its quality

A planning officer will be allocated to assess your application and may also take expert advice from other council colleagues. They will provide you with a full written response within a set time frame – usually dependent on the category of pre-application that you have submitted. Please see guidance and fees for further details.

Pre-application advice is not compulsory and may not be appropriate for all schemes. However, the council actively encourages pre-application discussions for all appropriate types of development proposals before submission for formal consideration.

Whether or not you decide to apply for pre-application advice, we do recommend that you discuss your proposed development with your neighbours before submitting a formal application, particularly if they may be impacted by the development or the works to construct it.

You may also want to consider employing an architect or planning agent to help you develop your plans. Architects and planning agents may also be able to advise if you will need planning permission or any other formal consents, and help you to submit your application.