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Get pre-application planning advice
Before you make a planning application, you may want to request pre-application advice from the planning department.
We recommend you get pre-application advice to make sure your application has the best chance of succeeding. There is a fee for this advice, but it may save you money by getting your application in good shape.
We offer different levels of pre-application advice. We can advise you about:
- what requires planning permission
- general planning advice
- whether the proposal is likely to be accepted
To read the pre-application service guidance notes, go to planning application documents.
Apply for pre-application advice for householders and local developments
This service is for householders and other local developments, such as:
- home extensions and alterations
- single or small housing developments
- new small-to-medium tourism developments
Make a pre-application planning enquiry
Apply for pre-application advice for major, complex and Environmental Impact Assessment developments
This service is for applications that are:
- large and more complex
- involve Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Make a major, EIA or complex pre-application planning enquiry
Fees
| Planning pre-application advice services | Fee |
|---|---|
| Householder enquiry for minor applications | £50 |
| Local enquiry – for example building a new domestic property | 30% of planning application fee, up to maximum of £1,000 |
| Listed building consent and conservation area consent for standalone applications only – if planning permission is also required then a fee will be charged as per the relevant category | Free |
| Major enquiry, Environmental Impact Assessment or complex local enquiry | £1,250 |
| Exemptions: - brief verbal non-specific or general advice that can be given over the phone or in person - advice regarding works for alterations required specifically to improve access, safety, health or comfort of the home of a registered disabled person |
Free Free |
For advice on how to pay, go to make a planning payment.
What happens next
Once we have received your completed pre application enquiry and fee, we will acknowledge and inform you of the planning officer dealing with your enquiry.
If you have any queries throughout the process, these should be directed to your planning officer. The direct contact details of the officer can be found at the top of your acknowledgement letter.
You will receive a written response once the planning officer has assessed your enquiry.
Submitting a planning application without pre-application advice
If you submit an application without pre-application advice, we advise you to read these relevant planning documents beforehand:
- planning for small scale residential development
- alterations and extensions to dwellings
- housing in the countryside
- planning for small and medium-sized businesses
- refuse and recycling operational policy and procedures – required waste procedures for all housebuilders and developers
- historic built environment – will assist those planning to undertake alterations to a listed building or building within a conservation area
You can download these documents from planning application documents.
Free advice from Planning Aid Scotland
Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) offers a free, impartial and confidential planning advice service, provided by specialist chartered planner volunteers.
Find a qualified architect
The Architects Registration Board is an independent body that regulates architects in the UK. You can search their register to find genuine and qualified architects in your area.
Sign up for email newsletters
You can subscribe to email updates to get the latest news from our planning service straight to your inbox.
These updates will not provide information on specific applications. You should register on our planning system if you want to track applications and receive alerts about new applications.