Pre-application advice

Pre-application advice can speed up the planning process, advise if an application is likely to be approved or not, and highlight any potential reasons for refusal. We will provide:

  • a written response without prejudice
  • the best advice possible, based on the information submitted
  • details of applicable planning policies and other considerations
  • comments on the planning merits and possible areas for improvement
  • the information needed to make a formal application
  • advanced warning of consultee requirements.

We won't provide:

  • binding opinions or opinions on lawfulness
  • a formal planning decision or guarantees that an application will be valid or approved
  • detailed technical advice or design the proposal for you
  • an opinion that is future-proofed against policy changes.

Fees

Minor applications

Item2023/24 charge
Householder applicants£130
Householder applicants with site visits£255
Follow up advice£80
Adverts£130
Adverts with site meeting£255
Listed building£130
Listed building with site visit applies to commercial and residential applicants£255
Change of use£255
Change of use and site visit£385

Medium applications

Additional meeting available of up to one hour (fee for this is 30% of the initial fee)

Item2023/24 charge
Medium application (site visit or meeting for one hour): 1 dwelling£385
Medium application (site visit or meeting for one hour): 2 to 4 dwellings

£640

Medium application (site visit or meeting for one hour): 5 to 9 dwellings

£1,280

Medium application (site visit or meeting for one hour): 10 to 24 dwellings£2,455
Medium application (site visit or meeting for one hour): 25 to 49 dwellings

£3,735

Medium applications: Extensions and alterations of under 500 sqm, non-residential£640
Medium applications: Extensions and alterations 500 to 999 sqm, non-residential£1,705

Major applications

Additional meeting available of up to one hour (fee for this is 30% of the initial fee)

Item2023/24 charge
Major applications: 50 to 100 dwellings£6,935
Major applications: 101 to 150 dwellingsBespoke fee
Major applications: 151 plus dwellingsBespoke fee
Major applications: 1000 (plus) sqm commercialBespoke fee
Development proposals that do not fit within the categories abovePlease contact us

Apply

You will need to complete our form and provide:

  • a site location plan
  • sketch drawings of the proposal and layout
  • a description of the proposed works
  • the correct fee after submitting the application

Once you completed the form below and have a reference number and quote, you can pay for pre-application advice on our website.

Select your local area to apply:

If your area isn't listed, you may be a resident of West Northamptonshire.

Last updated 15 January 2024