Overview and First steps

If you think you might need to apply for planning permission:

Step 1

• Contact the planning department of your council. Tell the planning staff what you want to do and ask for their advice.
  

Step 2

• If they think you need to apply for planning permission, ask them for an application form. Also ask if they foresee any difficulties which could be overcome by amending your proposal. It can save time or trouble later if the proposals you want to carry out also reflect what the council would like to see. They will tell you how many copies of the form you will need to send back and how much the application fee will be. Some councils are now operating an online applications service. This means that you will be able to submit your form and pay your fee over the internet if you wish.
  

Step 3

• Decide what type of application you need to make. In most cases this will be a full application but there are a few circumstances when you may want to make an outline application - for example, if you want to see what the council thinks of the building work you intend to carry out before you go to the trouble of making detailed drawings (but you will still need to submit details at a later stage). Depending on your local council, outline applications may require a different form.
  

Step 4

• Send the completed application forms to your council, together with the correct fee. Each form must be accompanied by a plan of the site and a copy of the drawings showing the work you propose to carry out. (The council will advise you on what drawings are needed.)