The fee should be paid at the time the request for written pre-application advice is submitted.

Where enquiries relate to more than one category the higher fee applies. All fees include VAT. Payments can be made by cheque, credit/debit card or cash.

Exemptions

The following categories of development are exempt from pre-application advice charges:

• Affordable housing (except in the case of affordable housing schemes of six or more dwellings, where the fee will be 50% of the equivalent pre-application fee for open market housing).
• Commoners’ dwellings
• Agricultural buildings (including field shelters) and new agricultural workers’ dwellings
• Proposals made by, or on behalf of, a Parish or Town Council, Local Authority or County Council
• All other types of development which are exempt from paying a planning application fee

Applicants seeking a formal view on the need for planning permission for a specific proposal already have the option to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) which attracts a fee (50% of the normal application fee). This is the route that should be followed for formal permitted development enquiries. It does not prevent planning officers freely providing general planning advice to homeowners on the need for planning permission.