Get advice about building work or home improvements

Our planning advice services are available to anyone wanting to make a planning application now or in the future.

By using this service you could:

• get the best value out of your development
• reduce your overall cost and time to develop a project
• reduce your risk by identifying potential issues early on
• avoid problems and find alternative solutions where needed
• be sure that your planning proposal is legal

We offer paid services for:

• Initial or 'pre-application' advice: To receive early engagement on you planning proposal.
• Follow-on advice: To help you tackle any final issues in your proposal.
• Planning history check: To find out what previous work has been permitted or refused.
• Building control history check: To get proof of building regulations approval or copies of documents.
• Validation advice: To ensure that your application is valid and correct.

If you have a question that is not about making a planning application, our specialist officers can help.

Their advice covers:

• arboriculture: tree preservation orders, trees in a conservation area, ancient woodland, priority habitats (orchards, woodland)
• ecology: priority habitats, biological notification sites (BNS), local geological sites (LGS), local wildlife sites (LWS), SSSIs, SACs
• heritage and conservation: listed buildings, locally listed buildings, conservation areas, registered historic parks and gardens
• archaeology: archaeological notification areas, scheduled ancient monuments, and other archaeological matters

If your request also involves planning considerations, you:

• will have to pay a higher fee
• may be referred to initial planning advice