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
Item
2026/27 charge
Householder applicants
Written advice only (desktop assessment)
Covers the input of one officer
£187
Householder development
Written advice plus site visit (set charge for one officer for 2 hours including travel)
Covers the input of one officer
£395
Householder development
Written advice plus 1 hour meeting (online or NNC offices)
Covers the input of one officer
£310
Additional officers providing input
Hourly rate
Category A
Standard pre-submission validation check (assumes 1 hour of checking time plus correspondence)
£78
Adverts
Service offer limited to written advice only (desktop assessment)
Covers the input of one officer
£187
Additional officers providing input
Hourly rate
Change of use
Written advice only (desktop assessment)
Covers the input of one officer - excludes proposal to create net additional dwellings which are considered under category D
£275
Change of use
Written advice plus site visit (set charge for one officer for 2 hours including travel)
Covers the input of one officer - excludes proposal to create net additional dwellings which are considered under category D
£416
Change of use
Written advice plus 1 hour meeting (online or NNC offices)
Covers the input of one officer - excludes proposal to create net additional dwellings which are considered under category D
£312
Additional officers providing input
Hourly rate
Shopfronts
Service offer limited to written advice only (desktop assessment)
Covers the input of one officer
£187
Telecoms and associated infrastructure
Service offer limited to written advice only (desktop assessment)
Covers the input of one officer
£187
Other development proposals (falling outside other development types listed in category B)
Bespoke charge agreed in advance based on agreed assumptions on hourly rate for officer(s)
Hourly rate
Category B
Standard pre-submission validation check (assumes 1 hour of checking time plus correspondence)
£78
Heritage applications
Item
2026/27 charge
Listed building
Written advice only (desktop assessment)
Hourly rate
Listed building
Written advice plus site visit
Hourly rate plus site visit fees
Additional officers providing input
Hourly rate
Meetings
All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates
Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the applicant
Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up
Venue hire and associated meeting costs shall be paid by the applicant where applicable
Hourly rate
Site visits
All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates
Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the applicant
Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up
Hourly rate
Site visits
Travel fees (flat rate contribution for travel costs and associated expenses)
£26
Category C
Standard pre-submission validation check (assumes 1 hour of checking time by Planning Officer (or equivalent) plus correspondence)
£104
Category C
Complex pre-submission validation check
Where the time required for checks to be undertaken, or seniority of officer input required exceeds the assumptions of category C
Standard pre-submission validation check
Hourly rate
Medium applications
Item
2026/27 charge
1 dwelling
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£312
2-9 dwellings
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£417 for 2 dwellings plus £104 per each additional dwelling
10-49 dwellings
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£2,080 for 10 dwellings plus £78 per each additional dwelling
Non-residential (uses not falling within Class C3) 500m internal floorspace
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£312
Non-residential (uses not falling within Class C3) between 500m to 999m internal floorspace
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£1,040
Non-residential (uses not falling within Class C3) between 1000m to 4999m internal floorspace
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£2,080
Non-residential (uses not falling within Class C3) between 5000m to 9999m internal floorspace
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£3,640
Additional officers providing input
Hourly rate
Meetings
All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates
Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the applicant
Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up
Venue hire and associated meeting costs shall be paid by the applicant where applicable
Hourly rate
Site visits
All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates
Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the applicant
Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up
Hourly rate
Site visits
Travel fees (flat rate contribution for travel costs and associated expenses)
£26
Category D
Standard pre-submission validation check (assumes approximately 2 hours of checking time by Senior Planning Officer (or equivalent) plus correspondence)
£228
Category D
Complex pre-submission validation check
Where the time required for checks to be undertaken, or seniority of officer input required exceeds the assumptions of category D
Standard pre-submission validation check
Hourly rate
Major applications
Item
2026/27 charge
50+ dwellings
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£5,750 for 50 dwellings plus £26 per each additional dwelling
Major applications
1000+ sqm commercial
Bespoke fee
Non-residential (uses not falling within Class C3) 10,000m internal floorspace
Written advice only
Covers the input of one officer
£5,200
Development proposals that do not fit within the categories above
Bespoke fee
Additional officers providing input
Hourly rate
Meetings
All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates. Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the applicant
Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up
Venue hire and associated meeting costs shall be paid by the applicant where applicable
Hourly rate
Site visits
All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates
Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the applicant
Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up
Hourly rate
Site visits
Travel fees (flat rate contribution for travel costs and associated expenses)
£26
Category E
Standard pre-submission validation check (assumes approximately 3 hours of checking time by Principal or Lead Officer (or equivalent) plus correspondence)
£416
Category E
Complex pre-submission validation check
Where the time required for checks to be undertaken, or seniority of officer input required exceeds the assumptions of category E
Standard pre-submission validation check
Hourly rate
Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs)
Service
2026/27 Charge £
PPA
Hourly rate
Setting up PPA (Administration fee)
£572
Meetings - All attendees representing the council charged at relevant hourly rates. Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the Applicant. Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up. Venue hire and associated meeting costs shall be paid by the Applicant where applicable.
Hourly rate
Site Visits - All attendees representing the Council charged at relevant hourly rates. Any fees for external attendees shall be paid by the Applicant. Charges shall include provisions for administration tasks associated with organisation, preparation, and follow-up.
Hourly rate
Site Visits - Travel fees (Flat rate contribution for travel costs and associated expenses).