Planning Services

Residential

The Planning system plays an important role in modern society by helping to protect the environment in our towns and cities and in the countryside. Planning regulations have to cover many different situations and even the provisions which affect the average householder are quite detailed.

The general planning principles and the procedures for making a planning application are described in the Communities and Local Government booklet Planning - A Guide to Households.

The Planning Portal (Please note: This is an external website) also offers a wide range of services and guidance on the planning system.

The rules that say when you need to apply for planning permission will differ according to whether you own a house or a flat/maisonette.

Online Planning Offices provides planning application forms, weekly application lists, tree preservation orders, unitary development plans and emergency planning.

Parliament has given the main responsibility for planning to the Local Planning Authorities. As a resident of the borough, if you have any queries about a particular case, the first thing to do is to contact the Spatial Regeneration Section and an officer will be on hand to help you through the process.