Pre-Application Enquiries
The submission of a Pre-Application enquiry is an optional, non-statutory, procedure offered by the Local Planning Authority which enables you to find out whether or not a specific proposed development is likely to be considered acceptable in planning terms.
It is typically undertaken before a Full planning permission is submitted and can provide a valuable insight into what the key issues will be and how the adopted development policies will be applied to any decision. Through completing this process, it is considered that any potential problems will be brought to the forefront of discussion, allowing them to be rectified as part of the design process before a formal application is submitted. Such an enquiry is typically employed as part of a wider planning strategy for larger projects where there are more matters to consider. However, they can often be invaluable for smaller projects where the acceptability of development is more ambiguous.
The associated detail of a pre-application enquiry can vary and is entirely dependent on how much supporting information you submit. It should also be noted that pre-application enquiries are subject to a separate fee and time-scale which is determined by the Local Planning Authority.
Once the Pre-Application enquiry has provided you with valuable feedback and guidance, the next step is to prepare and submit a Full planning application.
We handle all aspects of the Full planning application, from preparing detailed plans and supporting documents to submitting the application to the Local Planning Authority. Our team will continue to work closely with you, refining your proposal to address any potential issues identified during the Pre-Application stage. We also manage any additional requirements, such as environmental assessments or specialist reports, to ensure that your application is complete and compliant with all relevant planning policies.
It should also be noted that, on some occasions, the submission of a Pre-Application is not necessary, and you can go straight to Full app. If you are considering submitting a Pre-Application enquiry or Full application for your development proposal, get in touch with our team today and we can provide you with tailored advice on the best planning strategy to maximise your chance of success.


