Decision Maker: Director of Pride in Place
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
That the revised
pre?application enquiry fees set out in Appendix 1 be approved.
Reasons for the decision:
To ensure that fees
more accurately reflect the level of officer time and professional
input required to provide the pre?application enquiry service.
Also to resolve the errors appearing on
the IT system.
Alternative options considered:
An alternative option
would be to discontinue charging for pre?application enquiries.
This option has been discounted as it
would be likely to result in increased uncertainty in the
development process, reduced quality of early engagement with
applicants, and additional unresourced
pressure on the planning service.
Implementation:
This decision will take effect
immediately.
Information:
The Council encourages
prospective applicants to engage with the planning service at an
early stage to discuss emerging development proposals.
Pre?application engagement is optional; however, it supports
effective communication, provides early professional planning
advice, and helps applicants understand whether proposals are
likely to accord with adopted planning policy. Where proposals do not align with policy, officers
can offer guidance on potential amendments for consideration.
The pre?application
enquiry service is discretionary and chargeable. The current
schedule of fees has been published including VAT. The increasing of the fees by a flat percentage
rate has created rounding errors on our IT systems. The issue is easily resolved by making small
changes to the fees required as set out in the table
below. The matter requiring decision is
whether to approve a revised increase in pre?application enquiry
fees which is in line with or exceeds corporate expectations.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
Publication date: 01/07/2026
Date of decision: 01/07/2026
Accompanying Documents:
