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Pre-application advice is optional, but it tells you early which policies apply, what documents the council will want and whether the principle of your scheme is likely to be accepted. Councils can charge for fuller advice, but the charge must not exceed the cost of giving it.

Officers give better advice when they can see what you propose. Bring your architect or agent, and any consultant who can answer technical points on access, ecology, heritage or flooding.

What to send or bring

A site location plan and a plan of the existing site Sketch floor plans and elevations showing scale, layout and massing A written description of what you want to build and why Photographs of the site and its surroundings Any constraints you already know about, such as trees, heritage, access or flood risk A written list of questions, for example on policy, the documents needed, likely planning obligations and whether the application will go to committee

For a large or complex scheme, ask about a planning performance agreement. It is a voluntary project plan agreed with the council that sets timescales, actions and resources for handling the application. It must be in place before you submit the application if it is to replace the statutory time limit for a decision.

Get pre-application advice

How to use pre-application advice to improve your chances of approval