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Pre-application Advice

The Council encourages potential applicants and developers to have pre-application discussions with planning officers. This has the benefit of:

• Screening out likely unacceptable proposals;
• Ensuring that all appropriate information is submitted with an application;
• Improving the quality of proposals at their formative stage.

In giving such advice, it is important to note that officers are providing informal opinions principally on the issues and policies likely to be relevant when an application is submitted. Such advice is separate from and does not bind the Council or its officers at the formal application stage.

Guidelines

Written

The preferred option for seeking advice is by writing in as this gives officers time to research policies and the history of a site and give a more considered opinion.

Enquiries should be as detailed as possible about what is proposed.

We aim to get a response back to you within 10 working days.

Meetings

In many situations meetings are not necessary and appropriate advice can be given in writing saving you and officers time.

Where meetings are considered appropriate, they will normally be held at the Council offices in Bridgnorth. Enquirers should bring sufficient information (including photographs of the existing) and sketches of the proposal to explain their proposal.

To enable officers to be as constructive as possible, it is helpful if sketch drawings can be submitted in advance.

Verbal

Officers are normally available to give advice at Reception and on the telephone.

Because of the complexity of planning legislation and policy, advice will normally be limited to matters of fact and established policy.

Where an officer is not familiar with a particular area or in more complex cases, a written enquiry or meeting may be sought.

Your name and address will be sought so that a record of the conversation can be kept.

General Points

• Advice is given without prejudice to the consideration of any formal application subsequently submitted.
• Officers will be objective and refer to the main planning issues and policies that are likely to be relevant to the proposal and which an applicant may need to address when submitting an application.
• Where possible, an opinion will be given on the merits of a scheme and any possible improvements.
• A record will be kept of the advice given.
• It will be normally treated as confidential although consultations may be required with other Council officers and outside agencies such as the Highway Authority and Environment Agency.
• If you are a prospective purchaser and your purchase is dependent on you getting permission for a scheme, then you are advised to seek formal permission before committing to purchase. Pre-application advice is guidance only and there is no certainty that a permission would follow. An application can take time to determine and so you need to plan well ahead.