Get advice about building work or home improvements
Our planning advice services are available to anyone wanting to make a planning application now or in the future.
By using this service you could:
- get the best value out of your development
- reduce your overall cost and time to develop a project
- reduce your risk by identifying potential issues early on
- avoid problems and find alternative solutions where needed
- be sure that your planning proposal is legal
What we offer
We offer paid services for:
- Initial or 'pre-application' advice: To receive early engagement on your planning proposal.
- Follow-on advice: To help you tackle any final issues in your proposal.
- Planning history check: To find out what previous work has been permitted or refused.
- Building control history check: To get proof of building regulations approval or copies of documents.
- Validation advice: To ensure that your application is valid and correct.
Heritage, conservation and environmental advice
If you have a question that is not about making a planning application, our specialist officers can help.
Their advice covers:
- arboriculture: tree preservation orders, trees in a conservation area, ancient woodland, priority habitats (orchards, woodland)
- ecology: priority habitats, biological notification sites (BNS), local geological sites (LGS), local wildlife sites (LWS), SSSIs, SACs
- heritage and conservation: listed buildings, locally listed buildings, conservation areas, registered historic parks and gardens
- archaeology: archaeological notification areas, scheduled ancient monuments, and other archaeological matters
If your request also involves planning considerations, you:
- will have to pay a higher fee
- may be referred to initial planning advice