Pre-Application Advice

What is pre-application advice, how much is it, where does it apply ?

Pre-application advice is when planning officers can provide advice on any proposed developments.

The guidance note below explains how beneficial this service is to you and to us!

We are now charging for pre-application advice for certain types of development, these are detailed below: (exemptions do apply).  

From 1st April 2012, Worcestershire County Council - Highways will be charging for pre-application advice.  Please contact Karen Hanchett  01905 766817 or  Email: khanchett@worcestershire.gov.uk - Fee charge criteria.


Pre-Application Guidance Note

The Pre-Application advice Form - Please complete each section of this form as this will help the planning officer make a comprehensive response to your enquiry.

For the financial year 2012-2013 the fee has been waivered for new and expanding businesses that create employment opportunities.   

* includes one-for-one replacements and conversions/subdivisions.
** measured externally.
*** includes all other development proposals not falling within any of the above categories such as variation or removal of conditions, car parks & roads and certificates for lawfulness.

The initial costs noted in the table above include up to three meetings. The charge for additional meetings will occur after the initial three meetings.  Please note:  It is up to the discretion of the Planning Officer as to whether a meeting is considered to be necessary, the Planning Officer may be able provide comprehensive advice from the information given without the need for a meeting.

Exemptions

There is no fee for the following:

• Where the enquiry is made by a Local Authority or County Council.
  
• Where the enquiry is made by a Parish or Town Council.
  
• Where the enquiry is made by a Housing Association, Registered Social Landlord, or an equivalent Affordable Housing Provider or an architect/agent acting directly on their behalf including.
  
• Where the development is for the direct benefit of a disabled person (and as such there would be no fee incurred to make the planning application).
  
• Where the enquiry relates to the alteration or extension of a dwellinghouse or other ‘householder’ applications.
  
• Conservation advice e.g. works to listed buildings and Conservation Area consents.
  
• Works to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order or trees located within a Conservation Area.
  
• Advice on how to submit a planning application or a fee enquiry.
  
• Advice as to whether planning permission is required.
  
• Planning discussions in relation to enforcement investigations.

When completed please either return to planning@wychavon.gov.uk or Planning Services, Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcs WR10 1PT.

Is it always necessary?

We always welcome and indeed encourage pre-application discussion because it can:

1. Help to get things right first time
2. Identify some potential problems at an early stage
3. Identify those schemes which have little or no realistic chance of success
4. Save time and money
5. Speed up the decision making process
6. Provide a better quality development

What happens then?

When we have all of the relevant information your enquiry will be passed onto a case officer. They will check the planning history of the site, consult with appropriate colleagues (for instance Conservation, Highway, Drainage Officers), assess the proposals against the adopted policies of the Wychavon District Local Plan, the Worcestershire County Structure Plan, the West Midland Regional Spatial Strategy and any relevant Government Guidance. If necessary they may also visit the site.

The case officer will also inform the Local Ward Member of the approach for pre-application advice on the more significant proposals.

In some instances officers will wish to meet with potential applicants to discuss proposed schemes. You should note that this will not be considered necessary in all cases and particularly when proposals are for minor or straightforward development proposals or where the level of information being provided is very limited.

On completion of the above we will write advising you if planning permission for your scheme is likely to be granted and in some cases we may suggest improvements. However, this officer advice is not binding upon the Council.

How quickly will I receive a reply?

We recognise that a quick answer may be important to you, but it is essential that our advice is as accurate and complete as possible. We will try to provide a full written response within 15 working days for smaller schemes, 20 working days for larger schemes.  For more details please see the guidance note under "what service we will provide".

Is the advice binding upon the Council?

Whilst we always try to give advice you should be aware that planning applications are subject to extensive public consultation and publicity which can not be carried out before the formal application is submitted. Therefore the pre-application advice given is informal and cannot commit the Council to a particular decision on any subsequent planning application.

What if my proposal is for a larger development or covers issues dealt with by a number of Council Services?

In order to assist applicants with proposals for larger-scale and more sensitive schemes the Council operates a Development Team Approach. In relevant cases the planning officer may convene this team. More information on the Development Team Approach can be found in our planning advisory leaflet number 8.

Freedom of Information Act

From 1 January 2005, under the Freedom of Information Act, we may receive a request to provide information regarding enquiries for Pre-Application advice. Sections 41 & 43 of the Act exempts information whose disclosure could result in substantial financial loss, or likely to prejudice the commercial interests of a person. You are therefore asked, if you believe the enquiry to be confidential, to supply a covering letter setting out the reasons why and for what period. The decision as to whether to release information however lies with the Local Authority.

Related Documents

• House Extension Advice Note (Supplementary Planning Guidance)
• Planning Advisory Leaflet Number 8 – Development Team Approach
• Education Contributions (Supplementary Planning Document)
• Developer Contributions (Supplementary Planning Guidance)
• Statement of Community Involvement

Further Information

If you would like more information about a planning application contact:

Planning Services
Wychavon District Council
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
WR10 1PT
Telephone: 01386 565565 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email: planning@wychavon.gov.uk