Pre-application advice service

Before you start

Warning We have had a problem updating our online pre application form to take into account the new pre-application fees. Please note that the increased fees will apply and must be paid in full before we can progress your enquiry. You can view our new pre-application fees and further details can be found in our planning fees and charges document.

We can help you with your proposal before you submit a planning application.

We provide responsive, consistent, and timely advice. This reduces the time taken to deal with your application and means you get a quicker decision.

View our pre-application advice fees.

Our pre-application advice will help you:

understand how we apply planning policies to your proposal
identify the need for specialist input at an early stage - for example for listed buildings or trees
reduce the time that you or your professional advisors spend on the proposals
make informed changes so we are more likely to be able to approve your application
identify proposals that are completely unacceptable
prepare your application and supporting documents for formal submission
get your application handled more quickly meeting our validation requirements
avoid paying more fees because of changes you need to make
reduce the chances of a refusal. Effective from 6 Dec 2023 the government has changed the fee regulations. They have removed the fee exemption for repeat applications (the ‘free-go’)

Specialist team officer

You can request the involvement of a specialist, but your planning officer will review this on receipt of your pre-application request. If a key issue is identified requiring specialist advice, they will contact you to seek approval and confirm any additional costs. Currently this could include advice from the following officers when relevant to the proposal:

Conservation officer
Tree officer
Landscape officer
Planning policy officer
Urban design officer
Dorset Council building control (first hour free)
Section 106/Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Team
Environmental assessment - environmental assessment and nutrient neutrality
Planning enforcement

An additional charge at an hourly rate will apply for each specialist team officer who is required to attend a meeting or provide a consultation response as part of your pre application enquiry.

Planning Performance Agreement (PPA)

Planning Performance Agreement can cover the pre- application stage, the application itself and post decision.

View more detail about planning fees and charges document.

Contact Planning

If you need any guidance, contact planning.

How to apply

We need as much information from you about your proposals as possible.

Depending on the type of development, this will normally include at least:

1. Our completed online pre-application form. This should include:

your details and contact information
you preferred choice for response
any consultees you think we should include

2. A full description of your proposal. This should include any relevant history you know about the site.

3. A location plan with the site outlined with a redline.

4. Plans to show the development proposed. This should include any added floor space or enlargements clearly identified. These should be scaled plans which include:

elevations
sections
photos or sketches - photos are often very useful to understand the proposal and its context

If not scaled, measurements of the proposed development should be included.

5. Payment of the required fee, view our pre-application fees.

Complex or significant proposals

Complex proposals will need more information. You may need to take advice to help you prepare this information from:

an independent planning specialist
specialist consultants

We cannot insist that you provide this level of information at this stage. It will help us to provide more detailed advice if you can.

A topographical site survey
other information to help us understand existing and proposed site levels in relation to the surrounding area. This may include photos.
A copy of reports or assessments that have already been undertaken. This could be:

draft design and access statements
planning statements
tree surveys
heritage statements
drainage reports
ecological surveys
structural surveys
landscape and visual impact assessment
landscape visual appraisal
viability assessments
draft legal agreements

When we get your application, we will check if you have sent enough information to help us understand:

the site
its surroundings
the proposed scheme

If we need more information, we will contact you.

Timescale for issuing written advice will only begin once we have enough information and we have received the appropriate fee.

Apply

Apply now

Contact Planning

If you need help applying, contact planning.

What happens next

Responses and timescales

Current timescales for response are 12 weeks for major pre application enquiries and 8 weeks for all other types.

If you have requested a meeting the planning officer will contact, you to arrange this.

Follow up advice

An extra fee will apply to any follow up advice or to discuss the advice we give you after we have sent you a formal response. You will need to:

Send your request by email, provide reference number
attach any amended documents or plans
pay the fee

We will add your follow up request to the current record. We aim to give any requests for follow up advice to your original case officer.

Contact Planning

If you need have any questions, contact planning.

Test Alert

Pre-application advice service

Before you start

Specialist team officer

Planning Performance Agreement (PPA)

Contact Planning

How to apply

Complex or significant proposals

Apply

Contact Planning

What happens next

Responses and timescales

Follow up advice

Contact Planning