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 types and fees.
View the planning fees and charges document.
Our pre-application advice will help you:
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:
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 can cover the pre-application stage, the application itself and post decision.
Dorset Council is working in partnership with Design West to deliver a dedicated Dorset Design Review Panel service that can provide independent design advice to applicants and help in the preparation and determination of planning applications.
Find out about the design review service.
If you need any guidance, contact planning.
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:
2. A full description of your proposal. This should include any relevant history you know about the site. How to find out the planning history for property or land.
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:
If not scaled, measurements of the proposed development should be included.
5. Payment is required at the time of submission, view our pre-application fees.
Complex proposals will need more information. You may need to take advice to help you prepare this information from:
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:
When we get your application, we will check if you have sent enough information to help us understand:
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.
If you need help applying, contact planning.
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.
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:
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.
We are subject to requirements under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). If we receive a request to disclose any information in relation to a pre-application discussion prior to the submission of a related planning application, we will make reasonable efforts to notify and consult with you concerning its possible release. However, the final decision on whether the information should be withheld rests with the Council. The Council maintains compliance to the Data Protection Act. We will not release any personal information to third parties.
Please be aware that any pre-application advice given is likely to be made publicly available as part of the online documents once we receive a related application, subject to commercial confidentiality rules.
In addition to planning permission for your building work you may also need Building Control approval under the building regulations. The building regulations are minimum standards for the design and construction of, or alterations to, virtually every building. They contain a list of requirements providing standards for construction and energy efficiency whilst taking into account the health and safety and needs of building occupants. They cover all aspects of the build process, including foundations, damp proofing, stability, insulation, ventilation, heating, sanitation, fire protection and means of escape. They also make sure there are adequate facilities in certain types of buildings for people with disabilities.
At Dorset Council Building Control, we are committed to ensuring a high level of customer service meeting the need of the regulations, we will work with you to provide:
For further information and an initial discussion on all the services that we provide please visit Building Control. You can also find more information by visiting Local Authority Building Control website at www.labc.co.uk or www.labcfrontdoor.co.uk
If you need have any questions, contact planning.
