Householder advice

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You need this advice if you want to: 

• alter or extend a residential property
• build a new outbuilding or garage
• install a new fence
• make roof alterations
• install vehicle access or a crossover (known as a dropped kerb)
• lay new hardstanding or paving
• check the authorised use of a property or land

You should also apply for this advice if you want to find out information about a property you are thinking of buying. This includes restrictions that may apply to the property.

Types of advice

You can apply for either written advice or a meeting with a planning officer.

Written advice

If you apply for written advice, a planning officer will respond within 20 working days of receiving your application. (Working days exclude weekends and bank holidays.)

Meeting

You can ask to meet with a planning officer to discuss your proposal with them.

Following the meeting, we will send you written confirmation of the advice the planning officer gave you.

Fees

The fee for the advice depends on whether you have had advice from us before.

Fees for new advice

The fee for written advice is £108. 

The fee for an online meeting with a planning officer is £340.

The fee for an in-person/on-site meeting with a planning officer is £374. This includes the written confirmation we send afterwards.

Subsequent advice

You can pay a reduced fee for follow-up advice if you have: 

• already received advice about a similar development on the same site in the last three months
• received a refusal of planning permission for a similar development on the same site in the last three months

The fee for subsequent written advice is £82.

The fee for an online meeting with a planning officer is £258.

The fee for an in-person/on-site meeting with a planning officer is £283.

All fees are valid until 31 March 2026.